This feature of the self checkout in store locations has been broadened through its app for iPhones.
Walmart has been testing its mobile payments feature through a self checkout process at some of its store locations has now announced that it will be broadening the pilot program to reach 40 stores in the Denver area.
The retail giant uses QR codes generated by an iPhone app, which can be scanned at a checkout terminal.
This allows the iPhone users to scan all of their own products while the cart is being filled, and then indicate when they have picked up all of the items that they intend to buy. At that point, a unique QR code is generated, and this can be scanned by one of the self checkout terminal devices in order to complete the mobile payments transaction.
Walmart has been investigating many ways to use mobile payments and mcommerce to its best advantage.
This effort includes not only looking into ways that customers can use mobile payments, but also simply to speed up the checkout process through its “Scan & Go” iPhone app. As of yet, none of these programs have been rolled out universally to all of its locations, but these mcommerce opportunities are being tested in a number of stores in the Denver area, as well as in Atlanta, Northwest Arkansas, San Jose (California) and Portland (Oregon).
This new app lets the consumer scan the products as they are being placed into the shopping cart or basket, eliminating the need to do so at the checkout counter. Once all of the items are scanned, the iPhone app creates a list of all of the products that have been scanned, and represents them with QR codes that can be used by the readers at the checkout terminals. This allows the various traditional and mobile payment options to be presented to the consumer.
Walmart stores have been focusing heavily on mobile payments and particularly on self checkout since October 2012. It was at that time that the retailer announced that NCR would be the checkout terminal vendor for the tests as well as for the complete American rollout, which is expected by the end of 2013.
BWild |
February 23, 2013
Intela study shows mobile commerce is seeing strong acceptance among consumers
Consumers in the United Kingdom are becoming more comfortable with the prospect of purchasing goods with their mobile devices, according to new research from Intela, a leading performance marketing firm. The UK is one of the most auspicious markets for mobile commerce in the world, with many telecommunications companies and financial services firms working to engage mobile consumers in more dynamic ways. Retailers throughout the country have been embracing mobile payments, adding momentum to the growth of mobile commerce and helping make consumers more comfortable with participating in mobile commerce.
More than 50% of UK mobile consumers eager to make mobile payments
According to Intela, more than half of the UK’s mobile consumers are now comfortable with making mobile payments of $15 or more. The firm notes that the initial growth that mobile commerce had seen in the UK was due to the “iTunes effect,” the trend that saw consumers purchasing music and applications through their mobile devices. This trend helped consumers understand how mobile payments worked, and now these people are beginning to make purchases through platforms outside of iTunes as their options become more varied.
Investments in mobile commerce are growing
Intela notes that investments in mobile commerce coming from UK businesses rose significantly in 2012. Many of the businesses adopting mobile commerce have adopted a strong focus on educating consumers on how to participate in mobile payments. The firm notes that these efforts have paid off very well, with approximately 40% of UK consumers claiming they have a better understanding of how mobile commerce platforms work. Moreover, these consumers are very likely to make mobile purchases in the future for products they are interested in.
US consumers also show comfort with mobile payments
Intela’s study is not focused solely on the United Kingdom. The firm found that U.S. consumers are also growing more comfortable with the concept of mobile commerce. According to Intela, 56% of U.S. consumers are happy to spend more than $10 on mobile purchases. Nearly one in two of these consumers are very comfortable with mobile commerce platforms and how these platforms operate.
