After years of being a major hold out in the grocery store business, it appears as though Texas-based grocer H-E-B is finally beginning the process of accepting Apple Pay in its stores.
H-E-B plans on testing out contactless payment methods at its Central Market store in Dallas, Texas. This would include contactless credit and debit cards, along with mobile and digital wallets such as the Apple Wallet app via the iPhone and Apple Watch.
Mabrie Jackson, managing director of public affairs for H-E-B’s various brands said this to Chron regarding the rollout.
“We are launching a one-store pilot program to test digital tap-to-pay systems, starting at our Lovers Lane Central Market in Dallas,” Jackson said. “While we hope to offer these tap-to-pay services at more stores in the future, however, there is no timeframe to expand this service beyond the one pilot location.”
Jackson also stated that H-E-B is “always exploring a broad range of technologies to enhance how customers shop and pay for products.”
With Apple Pay support coming to at least one store during this test out trial period for H-E-B, it would also mean that the test store would also be able to accept Apple Cash and Apple Card purchases from the iPhone or Apple Watch. Those that use Apple Card from their iPhone or Apple Watch would get 2% in Daily Cash on each purchase they make there.
Over the years, other notable national and regional grocery store chains across the U.S. including Kroger, Kroger-owned stores, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Target, Hy-Vee, Fareway, Food Lion, and Publix have all been accepting Apple Pay, some for several years now.
What are your thoughts on H-E-B setting up a test location to accept contactless payment methods like Apple Pay? Comment below or let us know on X at @appleosophy.
