Rite Aid will accept both CurrentC and Apple Pay soon
In late 2014, Apple Pay first launched in the U.S. When it kicked off, Rite Aid and other retailers initially accepted Cupertino’s contactless payment method, but then disabled the support in favor of an upcoming system called CurrentC. Some of these merchants are beginning to come back to Apple Pay. Rite Aid is among those ending the blockade against Apple’s payment system, and will officially accept the contactless method beginning Aug. 15.
Rite Aid will begin offering support for Apple Pay beginning Saturday, Aug. 15, as well as accepting Google Wallet and Android Pay at almost 4,600 locations across the country. Competing pharmacy Walgreens has accepted Apple Pay since launch, but CVS remains stalwart in not taking Cupertino’s mobile payment method.
CurrentC was developed by the Merchant Customer eXchange, and the exclusivity period that it required is ending. MCX vaguely stated in 2014 that the exclusivity would end in months, not years, and it is clear that now is the time for the deal to end.
Best Buy has already made an announcement that it will begin accepting Apple Pay in stores this fall, while still maintaining its investment in MCX. However, the electronics retailer may not accept CurrentC when it finally launches to the public. Dunkin’ Donuts and Kohls have also joined the list of vendors adding Apple Pay support this fall.
For more news on Apple Pay, check out: Pei Wei is the latest company to jump on the Apple Pay bandwagon, United Kingdom Apple Pay comes to HSBC and First Direct, and Apple Pay is now available at 34 more financial institutions.
Image credit: Wikipedia
