Target Working on QR Code Mobile Wallet as Apple Pay Holdout Continues

Target is in early stages of developing its own mobile wallet solution that could launch as early as next year, according to Reuters. The fourth-largest U.S. retailer is leaning towards using QR code technology for the payments app, rather than NFC, enabling customers to purchase goods by scanning a code at checkout akin to Walmart Pay announced last week.

Target-Checkout

Target is working on a mobile wallet for use at checkout (Image: MADELINECOYNE)

The retailer reportedly plans to integrate the mobile wallet into its existing app available on iOS and Android, and will directly link customers' credit cards for payments. The wallet will likely support both Target's Red store credit and debit cards and ones from other issuers. Target does not currently accept any mobile wallets in it stores, but does support Apple Pay in its iPhone and iPad app.

Target's plans to launch its own mobile wallet raise questions about its commitment to rival payment platforms. A company spokesperson confirmed that Target remains an active member of the Merchant Customer Exchange, a consortium of retailers developing the payments system CurrentC, and the retailer is also exploring additional mobile wallet solutions, according to the report.

Target CEO Brian Cornell said in May that the retailer is "open-minded" about supporting Apple Pay or other payment services after upgrading its point-of-sale systems with chip-and-PIN card support, but the company has not announced any specific plans since. A few other MCX retailers including Best Buy and Rite Aid have already reversed course and started accepting Apple Pay this year.

Related Roundup: Apple Pay

Top Rated Comments

Mlrollin91 Avatar
101 months ago
You would think after their major hack they would have been the first to implement Apple Pay.
Score: 66 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Will do good Avatar
101 months ago
Sure, let me trust my money and credit information to a company that don't know or care about customer data security.
Score: 54 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T-Will Avatar
101 months ago
These one-off mobile payment solutions are dead on arrival. Nothing makes them more convenient Apple Pay (or a credit card).
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DavidLeblond Avatar
101 months ago
QR Codes!! http://picturesofpeoplescanningqrcodes.tumblr.com/
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Natas1000 Avatar
101 months ago
There are other places to shop.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
drumcat Avatar
101 months ago
Target... the place people will pay a premium to avoid wally world, yet no  Pay? Foolish.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 With Bug Fixes, Plus iOS 17.0.2 for iPhone 15 Models

Thursday September 21, 2023 10:28 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates for the iPhone and the iPad, adding bug fixes to the new software. The iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates come just a few days after Apple launched iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. The software, which is build 21A340, can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There is a...
iPhone 15 Pro Lineup Feature

iPhone 15 Models Feature New Setting to Strictly Prevent Charging Beyond 80%

Tuesday September 19, 2023 2:04 pm PDT by
All of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models feature a new battery health setting that prevents the devices from charging beyond 80% at all times when enabled, as confirmed by The Verge's Allison Johnson during a Q&A session today. The new setting is separate from the pre-existing Optimized Battery Charging feature on iPhones, which intelligently delays charging past 80% until a more...
emojipedia 15 1 emoji

Emoji Coming to Future iOS 17 Update Include Shaking Head, Brown Mushroom, Lime, Phoenix and More

Tuesday September 19, 2023 12:43 pm PDT by
As Apple was announcing new iPhone models last week, the Unicode Consortium was officially approving new emoji characters that are set to be added to smartphones starting in 2024. Mockup of new emoji from Emojipedia Approved Unicode 15.1 emoji include phoenix, lime, an edible mushroom, shaking head vertically (as in a "yes" nod), shaking head horizontally (a "no" head shake), and broken...
iPhone 15 Pro Max 5x Optical Zoom Limit Feature 1

Apple Explains Why iPhone 15 Pro Max is Limited to 5x Optical Zoom

Wednesday September 20, 2023 9:52 am PDT by
In an interview with Numerama's Nicolas Lellouche, Apple's VP of camera software engineering Jon McCormack explained why the iPhone 15 Pro Max's tetraprism lens system is limited to 5x optical zoom, instead of 10x like on Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra. The interview is in French, so quotes below are computer translated. Apple says the Telephoto lens on the iPhone 15 Pro Max features the...