Does Kroger Have Tap To Pay – NFC, Mobile Payments, Kroger Pay, & More

Kroger is one of my favorite grocery stores to shop in for their low prices and convenient payment methods. While other stores offer various ways to pay, not all of them embrace tap-to-pay.

Thankfully, Kroger does have tap-to-pay in several of its stores. Some stores now accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, and standard NFC card payment options.

I primarily use tap to pay because it streamlines my entire shopping experience at Kroger. I’m able to quickly get in and out of the checkout line, and it’s all contactless, which gives me peace of mind. The good news is that with continued interest in contactless payment methods, more Kroger stores will likely be offering these convenient options.

Kroger and Its Payment Systems

Not too long ago, Kroger started accepting Apple Pay at select locations in Kentucky and Ohio. This was a big move for them because it paved the way for their customers to make contactless payments using their iPhones or Apple Watch.

However, like other retailers, Kroger’s primary focus has been on developing its own proprietary payment solution. It’s called Kroger Pay and works similarly to Walmart Pay. The Kroger app’s Kroger Pay feature enables a secure, contact-free way to pay for groceries.

To set up Kroger Pay, you will need to:

1. Download the Kroger app
2. Sign in or create a Kroger account
3. Add a payment method to your profile

Before the recent rollout of contactless payments, Kroger relied on a QR code-based app for in-store mobile payments. This decision caused customers who hadn’t downloaded the app to resort to cash or EMV contact card payment methods.

While Kroger Pay uses a secure system like RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) to process transactions, it’s worth noting that NFC (Near-Field Communication) is the technology commonly used for tap-to-pay systems like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

So whether it’s Kroger Pay or using Apple and Google Pay in select markets, tap-to-pay options are widely available at the store. If you’re not too bothered about downloading another app and connecting your payment information to it securely, it’s just as convenient as what you may already be using.

Do I need the Kroger Pay app to make payments?

While you don’t necessarily need the Kroger Pay app to make payments at Kroger, it’s the most widely available option. In a nutshell, this app becomes your wallet, allowing you to link your Shopper’s Card, digital coupons, and preferred credit or debit card for seamless payments.

Payment information is securely protected and never stored on your phone, making it a safe choice for you.

You can also just use Kroger’s standard NFC tap payment options. You’ll just need to make sure your credit or debit card has the logo and ability to send NFC payment signals to the machine when checking out.

Also, if you don’t want to use Kroger Pay, you can still use your Apple and Android devices, and this option varies by store as they continue to roll it out.

Select Krogers are just starting to roll out Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay in some of their Houston area stores.

While it may seem like offering other methods should be easy, it is more complicated than that. Kroger has had to update a ton of software, card readers, and other parts of their systems in order to make that possible.

I like how this gives customers with Apple and Android devices, such as iPhones and Apple Watches, a chance to use their preferred mobile payment system, not just Kroger Pay.

Regional Availability of Tap to Pay At Kroger

There hasn’t been news about tap-to-pay availability in Kroger stores in California—perhaps an area for future expansion. Nonetheless, tap-to-pay at Kroger is growing, and we can expect more regions to gain access to this payment method.

These are the regions where you can find Kroger tap-to-pay options in 2023:

• Ohio
• Kentucky
• Houston-area

While it’s not everywhere yet, I expect it to continue rolling out over the next few months and years. So if it’s not at your local Kroger, it’s just a matter of time.