Walmart Shares Sink 9% as It Ends Long-Standing Apple Pay, Google Pay Ban

Walmart shares fell sharply after the retail giant released its latest earnings report, dropping about 9% from $114.30 to $103.84.

The decline marked the fourth consecutive earnings day on which Walmart’s stock has fallen. The sell-off came despite Walmart reporting better-than-expected results and raising its full-year guidance. While the company continued to show strong operating performance, investors appeared concerned about its outlook, putting pressure on the stock.

Walmart to introduce Apple Pay and Google Pay

Alongside its earnings update, Walmart announced a major change to its payment strategy. The retailer said it will begin accepting Apple Pay and Google Pay at Walmart and Sam’s Club locations.

The new contactless payment option is scheduled to begin rolling out on August 24 at select stores and clubs. Walmart plans to expand Tap to Pay to all of its stores and Sam’s Club locations by the end of 2026.

The rollout will later extend to Walmart fuel stations, with the company expecting Tap to Pay to be available across its fuel network by mid-2027.

A major shift in Walmart’s payment strategy

The move is significant because Walmart has long resisted accepting Apple Pay. Instead, the retailer encouraged shoppers to use its own digital payment services, including Walmart Pay and Scan & Go.

Walmart’s strategy had been to keep customers within its own digital ecosystem rather than rely on third-party payment platforms. The decision to embrace Apple Pay and Google Pay now represents a notable change in that approach.

The company had previously explored creating an alternative to services such as Apple Pay. Walmart was part of the CurrentC initiative, a retailer-backed mobile payment system that was intended to compete with emerging digital wallets. However, CurrentC failed to gain traction and was eventually shut down in 2016.

Customers have long wanted contactless payments

The addition of Apple Pay and Google Pay addresses a long-standing request from Walmart shoppers. Contactless payments have become increasingly common across the US, with Apple saying Apple Pay is now accepted at 85% of retailers in the country.

That has made Walmart’s previous decision not to support Apple Pay increasingly unusual among major American retailers.

With the new rollout, customers will be able to use compatible smartphones and other devices to make contactless payments at participating Walmart and Sam’s Club checkout terminals.

Walmart says customers will have more choice

Walmart has emphasized that Tap to Pay will be introduced alongside its existing payment options rather than replace them.

Customers will continue to have access to cash, traditional credit and debit cards and Walmart Pay, while Apple Pay and Google Pay will provide additional choices.

The company said expanding payment options is part of its broader effort to make shopping and managing money more convenient for customers and members.

Stock decline remains the bigger investor story

Although Walmart’s new payment policy is a significant change, the company’s stock performance following its earnings release remains the key concern for investors.

The retailer exceeded expectations and increased its full-year guidance, yet its shares still fell roughly 9%. The reaction suggests that investors were looking beyond the headline earnings numbers and focusing more closely on Walmart’s future growth and outlook.

The payment announcement also highlights a strategic shift. After years of promoting its own digital payment tools, Walmart is now opening its checkout system to widely used third-party services.

For shoppers, the change means Apple Pay and Google Pay will soon become available at Walmart and Sam’s Club. For Walmart, it represents a move toward giving customers greater payment flexibility while continuing to maintain its own digital services.

The rollout will begin at selected locations on August 24, reach Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs nationwide by the end of 2026, and expand to fuel stations by mid-2027.