Fry’s is a supermarket chain that is currently the most visited in the state of Arizona. Fry’s sells food and vegetables, pharmacies, household items, appliances, gardening supplies, and toys. The goal is for Americans to centralize all their needs in one location.
As Fry’s has grown, it has gained a largely American clientele, so it must continue improving to achieve its goal. Customer convenience is attractive to the consumer, so generating several payment methods is a smart option to reach their market positioning goal. Hence the question arises if they accept Apple Pay in their stores among their payment methods.
Apple Pay in Fry’s
Apple Pay generates a lot of convenience and speed for customers, so many businesses have incorporated this type of service in their stores and for online purchases from their websites or app. However, Fry’s is not one of the businesses that have decided to use Apple Pay as a payment system.
Curiously, such a popular option is not among the payment options for Fry’s, a prominent and active U.S. supermarket chain.
Why does Apple Pay not a payment method at Fry’s?
Contactless payment technology, such as Apple Pay, is an interesting and popular solution in the American market. However, it is not the only option.
The main reason why Apple Pay is not linked to Fry’s is that the supermarket chain has decided to use another contactless payment company as a payment system in its branches around the country. Kroger Pay is the company chosen by Fry’s to function as a contactless payment.
How does Kroger Pay Works?
Kroger Pay is a payment system that can be used online and in person. When the user creates a Kroger account, it generates a QR code that can be scanned and connects the information to the linked cards. It also has a card that can be used in physical stores.
What are the differences between Apple Pay and Kroger Pay?
Both platforms are payment systems that are born from the need of customers to generate more efficiency and convenience when generating payments. However, their operating methods differ, which can limit or boost the customer experience according to user requirements.
Kroger Pay has a card; Apple Pay has a wallet
Kroger Pay generates a Kroger card, which is linked to the customer’s accounts or debit or credit cards. Apple Pay, however, has a digital wallet, i.e., no physical card.
Apple Pay’s method is entirely digital, and the funds are located in your wallet, whereas in Kroger Pay, the funds reside on your card.
Types of verifications
Both platforms have different verification methods when making a bank transaction at a merchant.
Apple Pay uses ID or face verification as a fixed requirement for the system to be able to withdraw money from the wallet or linked cards. In contrast, Kroger Pay uses a QR code that is scanned to be able to withdraw funds and pay.
Android Vs. iOS
The Apple Pay system is exclusive for Apple users since, for greater security, all banking and personal information is linked to iCloud. Therefore, you need to have an iCloud account to generate the wallet.
On the other hand, Kroger Pay is used both on Apple and Android devices; it makes no distinction because the same system generates the card as if it were another bank account but with more payment options.
Why is it advisable for Fry’s to use Apple Pay?
The Apple Pay system provides several benefits to users who prefer it over other payment methods. However, if you still need to know, we explain why applying the Apple Pay system is advisable.
More customer convenience, less abandonment rate
With the Apple Pay system, customers do not need any card or identification, so users perceive ease of payment. It decreases the risk of abandonment of purchases due to lost or forgotten cards.
Reaching new potential customers
By 2021, it was recorded that around 1 billion Americans are Apple device owners, with 1.65 billion Apple users globally.
To many of those active Apple Pay users, paying through the platform translates into higher convenience and ease. Thus, new customers may prefer to seal their Fry’s purchase over the competition that doesn’t support this technology.
In addition, the more customers understand that a new payment method works for people they know, the more new shoppers will try it out. Word of mouth is fundamental for the growth of a brand.
Rise above the competition
In the U.S., there is a myriad of similar businesses. What makes your business different from the others? Healthy competition among companies is a key point that helps them improve their position in the marketplace.
Incorporating the Apple Pay system provides an advantage over competitors lacking this payment method; that is, Fry’s would enter a different section of the market before other businesses that do not offer Apple Pay and would compete with those that do accept it.
Love Marketing
A goal in every business is to generate loyalty or love marketing in customers; a person whose needs are cared for will have a higher esteem for the company. Applying Apple Pay will cover the need for a standard and preferred payment method. This will increase interaction, sales, and buyer loyalty.
Reference
- “Kroger Mobile Pay.” Fry’s Food, https://www.frysfood.com/d/kroger-mobile-pay
- “Kroger Mobile Pay Faqs.” Fry’s Food, https://www.frysfood.com/f/kroger-mobile-pay-faqs