What Stores Accept PayPal at the Register?
Unlock the convenience of paying with PayPal for your in-store purchases. Find out which major retailers accept PayPal at the register and how to do it.
PayPal has expanded its reach beyond online purchases to include in-person payments. Consumers can leverage their PayPal accounts for everyday shopping at various physical retail locations. The increasing integration of PayPal into brick-and-mortar stores reflects a broader shift towards versatile payment solutions that offer convenience and security. Consumers now have multiple avenues to utilize their PayPal balance or linked funding sources for direct purchases at the register.
How PayPal Works for In-Store Payments
Utilizing PayPal for in-store payments involves several mechanisms. One prevalent method is through Quick Response (QR) codes. When a customer is ready to pay, they open the PayPal app, select the “Scan/Pay” option, and then scan a QR code displayed by the merchant at the point of sale. The customer then confirms the payment amount within the app, and the transaction processes directly from their PayPal balance or preferred linked funding source. This system offers a contactless payment experience.
Another primary method for in-store PayPal use is the PayPal Debit Card. This card functions as a Mastercard debit card and is directly linked to a user’s PayPal balance. It can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted. When using the PayPal Debit Card, funds are drawn first from the PayPal balance; if insufficient, it will access a linked bank account or other designated funding source.
PayPal can integrate with popular mobile wallets such as Google Pay or Samsung Pay. Users can add their PayPal Debit Card to these digital wallets, enabling Near Field Communication (NFC) payments. This allows for tap-to-pay functionality at any terminal equipped to accept contactless payments. It is important to note that the PayPal mobile app itself does not feature built-in NFC capabilities, nor does it integrate with Apple Pay for direct contactless payments.
Major Retailers Accepting PayPal In-Store
Major retailers across the United States now accept PayPal for in-store purchases, primarily through QR code technology. Walmart allows shoppers to pay by scanning a QR code at self-checkout or with a cashier through the Walmart Pay app, which can link to PayPal. CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide have also adopted PayPal QR codes, enabling a streamlined payment process that can even integrate with their loyalty programs.
Target and Home Depot are large retailers that have implemented PayPal QR code payments. Stores like Macy’s, Foot Locker, Kohl’s, and Bed Bath & Beyond offer the option to pay with a PayPal QR code at the register. This method provides a convenient alternative to traditional payment cards, directly accessing a customer’s PayPal account.
Beyond QR codes, the PayPal Debit Card expands the number of stores where PayPal funds can be spent. Since this card is a Mastercard, it is accepted at virtually any establishment that processes Mastercard payments. This includes a vast array of businesses, from smaller local shops to large chain restaurants and department stores, offering widespread utility for consumers with a PayPal balance.
Beyond the Register: Other In-Person PayPal Uses
Beyond direct point-of-sale transactions, PayPal offers other avenues for in-person utility. The PayPal Debit Card provides universal acceptance wherever Mastercard is processed, allowing users to make purchases at any retail location, gas station, or restaurant that accepts standard debit cards. This flexibility enables spending from a PayPal balance even in stores that do not directly advertise PayPal as a payment method.
Peer-to-peer (P2P) payments through the PayPal app facilitate direct transfers between individuals for goods or services exchanged in person. Users can send money to another person’s PayPal account simply by using their name, email, or phone number, or by scanning their personal QR code. These transfers are typically free when funded by a PayPal balance or linked bank account for domestic transactions.
PayPal often serves as a payment option for “click and collect” services, where customers buy items online and then pick them up in-store or curbside. While the payment occurs digitally during the online checkout process, the transaction culminates in a physical interaction at the retail location. This method offers the convenience of online shopping combined with the immediate gratification of in-person collection.