Apple Pay Finally Makes a Comeback at Kroger in Ohio & Kentucky
After years of pushing back, Kroger has finally seen eye‑to‑eye with Apple Pay. According to chatter on Twitter and discussions in Reddit, shoppers who own an Apple Watch or iPhone can now use the tech to pay in some Kroger locations across Ohio and Kentucky.
What’s the Deal?
- Contactless payments via Apple Pay are now available.
- Customers can tap their device at the register for a quick checkout.
- It’s not confirmed how many stores are fully equipped, but the trend is growing.
Why It Matters
For people who hate carrying cash or a bulky card, this change makes grocery runs smoother than a freshly buttered biscuit. The convenience factor is especially handy for those who prefer staying tech‑savvy.
So, Do I Need a New Card?
Nope! Apple Pay uses your existing credit or debit card, so you’re set as long as you’ve added it to your wallet.
What’s Next?
It’s unclear whether Kroger will roll out Apple Pay to all of its outlets or how long will it stay limited to a few spots. For now, a quick look at the POS will tell you whether you’re heading into a tap‑and‑go experience.
Kroger’s Bold Move: Saying “No Thanks” to Apple Pay
Picture this: it’s 2014, Apple rolls out Apple Pay and suddenly every retailer starts dog‑eating the hype. But Kroger—yes, that big grocer that sells the same aisle that you leaped over to grab a bag of chips—decided to play the waiting game. And it wasn’t just a one‑off; it became a whole brand‑spanning stance against digital wallets.
Who’s in Kroger’s Circle?
- Lowe’s and The Home Depot – two home‑improvement giants that thought “bank‑on‑screen” was a bit awkward.
- Walmart – the retail behemoth that, after a few lukewarm attempts, chose to keep its own payment wizardry in the spotlight.
- And then there are Kroger’s own family of stores: King Soopers, QFC, and Ralphs, popping up blessings of South‑western litres—from Wyoming to California, you could practically drive a truck full of Apple Pay‑incompatible carts through the U.S.
A Giddy Reaction From Apple
Fast forward to 2022, Apple’s white‑board whisper (aka press release) was something like, “Hey, we’re happy to say that more than 90% of American retailers are dancing with Apple Pay.” But the question remains: who’s the big name that’s still doing real slow‑dance with their cash registers?
Why the Holdout?
Some say it’s a love affair with the tradition of paper money; others think it’s a strategic decision to keep the grocer’s payment system under their own roof. Either way, it’s a notable five‑year faux-relationship that many merchants are still living out.
So next time you hop into Kroger or a similarly wary store, remember: you’re stepping into a space that still insists on the punch card from the shadow realm of the past… until Apple Pay finally convinces them otherwise.
Source: Apple press release (2022) – “Apple Pay now at 90% of U.S. retailers.”
