Venmo is a popular digital wallet and money transfer service owned by PayPal. It allows users to easily send and receive money from friends and family. In recent years, Venmo has also expanded to allow payments at certain retailers and merchants. This opens up more possibilities for using Venmo as a payment option in place of cash or cards. But which major stores actually accept Venmo as a form of in-store payment? This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the stores that currently take Venmo.
Overview of Venmo and In-Store Payments
Venmo first launched peer-to-peer payments in 2009 and was acquired by PayPal in 2013. In 2018, Venmo rolled out the Venmo card, a debit card linked to a user’s Venmo account balance. This allowed users to pay with Venmo at virtually any retailer that accepts major debit cards. However, paying in-store with the Venmo app directly, rather than the debit card, has been a more recent development.
In 2020, Venmo launched the ability to scan QR codes at checkout to pay directly from the Venmo app at certain approved retailers. This provides a seamless, cashless payment option for users who don’t have their Venmo card on hand or would rather not use a physical card. The number of large retailers accepting Venmo QR code payments is steadily growing.
Advantages of Paying with Venmo In-Store
There are several advantages to paying with Venmo at checkout versus other payment methods:
– Seamlessness: With Venmo’s QR code payment integration, checking out takes just a few taps in the Venmo app rather than digging out your wallet and physical cards.
– Accessibility: Even if you forgot your regular wallet or cards at home, you may still be able to pay with Venmo if you have your smartphone.
– Rewards: Paying with Venmo can help you earn rewards and cash back through Venmo’s own rewards program or by using your Venmo debit card.
– Safety: Contactless QR code payments through Venmo can be safer and more sanitary than handling cash and cards during a pandemic.
– Budgeting: Since Venmo is connected to your bank account, reviewing Venmo transactions can help you better track spending and budgets.
Major Retailers That Accept Venmo Payments
While adoption is still expanding, here are some of the major nationwide retailers that currently accept Venmo QR code payments at checkout:
Walmart
Walmart, the largest retailer in the world, started accepting Venmo as a payment option in late 2021. The process works seamlessly by opening up the Venmo app, clicking “Pay,” scanning the QR code during checkout, and approving the purchase amount within the Venmo app. This provides a quick contactless payment option at any Walmart location.
Target
As one of Walmart’s biggest competitors, Target has also signed on to accept Venmo payments in all of its stores. Target has been focused on contactless payment options, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, to speed up checkout times. Venmo QR codes now simply give shoppers another mobile payment choice.
Sheetz
The convenience store and gas station chain Sheetz announced in 2020 that it would begin accepting Venmo payments across its 600+ locations. Sheetz views this as a way to meet consumer demand for more digital, cashless payment convenience while shopping for essentials and gas.
CVS
In 2022, pharmacy chain CVS started its nationwide rollout of accepting Venmo at checkout. This makes quick and easy contactless payments accessible for anything you purchase at CVS, from prescription medications to snacks and household essentials.
Foot Locker
For on-the-go shoppers, Foot Locker and its family of brands now take Venmo payments in store. That includes Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Champs Sports, and Footaction locations across the country.
Lowe’s
As a top home improvement retailer, Lowe’s accepts Venmo as a payment option within its app and in stores. Shoppers can now pay for appliances, tools, home décor, and more using Venmo QR codes. This provides a convenient alternative to credit cards or cash.
Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club added Venmo as a checkout payment method across its nearly 600 U.S. warehouse locations in 2022. Paying with Venmo is secure, fast, and helps Sam’s Club attract millennial and Gen Z shoppers who prefer mobile payments.
REI
Outdoor recreation co-op REI has Venmo integrated at checkout across its 168 locations. QR code payments with Venmo are well-suited for REI, whose customers are tech-savvy and want convenience while shopping for camping gear, outdoor apparel, and more.
Nordstrom
Known for its exceptional customer service, Nordstrom can now provide the ease of tapping into Venmo to complete purchases across beauty, clothing, shoes, and home goods. Paying with Venmo helps Nordstrom cater to mobile-first customers.
Select Regional Chains and Local Stores
In addition to the top national retailers accepting Venmo, some regional chains and local stores are signing on to Venmo payments as well. This includes:
– Biscuitville: A popular regional fast food chain in the Carolinas.
– Dearborn Denim: A clothing boutique with locations in New York and Los Angeles.
– Melt Shop: Grilled cheese restaurant chain across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida.
– Mooyah Burgers: Fast casual dining chain with 80+ locations mostly across the Southern U.S.
Venmo continues to expand its retail partnerships over time. Check with your local stores and restaurants to see if they accept Venmo QR code payments at checkout. Independent businesses may also choose to integrate Venmo if they use compatible point of sale systems.
Stores Expected to Accept Venmo Soon
Based on Venmo’s ongoing growth and expansion plans, there are some major retailers predicted to begin accepting Venmo payments in the near future.
Amazon and Whole Foods
Given Amazon’s huge footprint in retail and payments, it is likely just a matter of time until Amazon and their Whole Foods grocery chain add Venmo as a payment option. This would allow quick mobile payments for physical Amazon Books or Amazon 4-star purchases, as well as groceries at Whole Foods.
Costco
Costco is focused on mobile payment capabilities and will likely integrate Venmo as part of the mix, given Costco’s strong millennial member base. Paying for bulk essentials with Venmo would be a logical addition in the next year or two.
Starbucks
Starbucks already offers its own robust mobile app with payment integration, but adding Venmo as an alternative checkout option would open the doors for more convenience-focused coffee drinkers. This would complement Starbucks’ aim of speeding up ordering and checkout.
Dunkin’
With its emphasis on speed and convenience for grab-and-go food and beverages, Dunkin would be wise to incorporate Venmo QR codes as an on-the-go payment method at its counters. This could happen soon given parent company Dunkin’ Brands’ focus on digital transactions.
Domino’s
Domino’s pizza delivery app already makes ordering and payments easy. But Domino’s could allow in-store Venmo payment scanning when customers stop in for carryout orders. Paying with Venmo could become a quick option alongside credit cards or cash.
Other Retailers and Payments to Watch
Beyond the major chains, there are some other retail situations where enabling Venmo payments could arise in the next 1-2 years:
Fast Food Apps
More fast food brands like McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and KFC have their own apps with mobile order-ahead and payment capabilities. These brands could potentially integrate Venmo as a payment method within their own apps.
Independent Grocery Stores
Some regional and local grocery store brands may enable Venmo payments as an addition to Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit/debit cards and cash. This would allow more payment flexibility.
Select Department Stores
Major department stores like Macy’s and JC Penney could roll out Venmo acceptance as part of their mobile payment capabilities, although wide adoption is less certain here.
Festivals/Live Events
Venmo could appear as a payment option at concession stands and booths at festivals, fairs, and live events. This would cater to the highly mobile populations drawn to these events.
Taxis/Uber/Lyft
Taxi apps like Curb could integrate Venmo as an option alongside credit cards to pay for rides. Uber and Lyft already offer Venmo payouts to drivers but could adopt Venmo payments as well.
Requirements and Limitations of Venmo Pay in Stores
While paying with Venmo in-store provides a lot of benefits, there are some requirements and limitations to note:
Smartphone Required
Because in-store Venmo payments rely on scanning QR codes within the Venmo app, having a smartphone on hand is essential. Forgetting your phone would prevent you from using Venmo to pay.
App Updates
You need to make sure your Venmo app is updated to the latest version that supports the in-store payment and QR code scanning capabilities. Outdated versions may not have the full functionality.
Merchant Acceptance
Venmo can only be used at retailers, restaurants, and businesses that have specifically chosen to adopt and integrate Venmo payments. If a merchant does not accept Venmo, you cannot force the transaction.
Sufficient Account Balance
You need to have enough money in your Venmo account balance or linked bank account to cover the full purchase amount. If your balance is too low or linked bank account funds insufficient, the Venmo payment could be declined.
Internet Connection
Because Venmo operates through your smartphone app, you need an internet connection via wifi or mobile data to be able to complete transactions. Weak signals or restricted networks could interrupt a payment.
Venmo Fees
While peer-to-peer Venmo transactions are often free, Venmo does charge a fee for instant transfers from Venmo to external bank accounts. Retailers can choose whether or not to charge an additional fee for Venmo transactions.
Tips for Paying with Venmo In-Store
Follow these tips for the best experience when using Venmo to make purchases at checkout:
– Update your Venmo app and make sure push notifications are allowed so you don’t miss important account activity.
– Review your Venmo balance beforehand to ensure you have enough funds for your intended purchase. Transfer money in if needed.
– Know that you’ll need to have cell service or wifi to complete the transaction. If your connection is spotty, have a backup payment ready.
– Open Venmo immediately when it’s your turn to checkout. Scan the QR code and wait for the purchase amount to populate within the Venmo app, then tap “pay now.”
– Keep your phone on hand and unlocked as you move through the checkout line for quicker payment.
– Review the Venmo notification afterwards to verify the correct merchant and payment amount was processed from your account.
Conclusion
While still gaining adoption, paying with Venmo at major retailers is becoming a more convenient checkout option for millions of Venmo users in the United States. Top stores accepting Venmo now include Walmart, Target, CVS, Foot Locker, Sheetz, Lowe’s, and Nordstrom. As more consumers seek digital payment experiences, Venmo QR code payments are likely to expand to additional leading merchants like Amazon, Costco, Starbucks, and beyond. However, availability remains limited compared to more mature in-store mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. The accessibility and rewards of paying with Venmo make it easy to see why so many customers and merchants are embracing this emerging option. Just look for Venmo signage while out shopping and tap to pay next time you’d rather not reach for your wallet.
