Meijer Stores, a grocery and general merchandise retailer, and one of the fastest growing privately-owned companies in the United States, today announced it is the first super center chain in the United States to accept MasterCard PayPass as a contactless payment option at all of its 171 locations.
By early fall, all Meijer gas pumps will be equipped to accept MasterCard PayPass as well.
"As an early adopter of this new payment option, we recognize the importance to our customers of saving time at checkout," said Michael Ross, director of marketing strategy and customer relationship management for Meijer. "MasterCard PayPass is part of Meijer's continuing efforts to invest in solutions for serving customers quickly and efficiently."
Meijer also announced today the upcoming availability of the PayPass-enabled Meijer Platinum MasterCard card. The card, issued by GE Consumer Finance, a leading provider of credit services, combines the features and benefits of the Meijer private label store card with the worldwide acceptance of a MasterCard card and the added functionality of PayPass contactless "tap and go" payments. The card has all the privileges of an in-store card, including access to exclusive sales, promotions and loyalty rewards, plus all the benefits of a traditional bankcard - worldwide acceptance, competitive APRs and rewards on out-of-store spending. Customers who use the card at Meijer earn points towards Meijer Bucks, which can be redeemed for merchandise. Cardholders accrue two points for each dollar spent in-store and one point for each dollar spent elsewhere. Cardholders can earn additional points through special seasonal offers and fuel purchases.
"We're excited about the rapid growth of our relationship with Meijer and making the shopping experience as easy, quick and convenient as possible for their consumers," said Margaret Keane, president and chief executive officer of the Retail Consumer Finance unit of GE Consumer Finance-Americas.
MasterCard PayPass allows cardholders to simply tap their PayPass-enabled MasterCard card on a specially-equipped terminal that utilizes a radio frequency (RF) chip to complete the transaction. Payment is completed quickly and easily, without the hassle of swiping a card, fumbling for cash or signing a receipt. Moments after the cardholder taps their PayPass-enabled MasterCard card, account details are communicated to the terminal and then processed through the MasterCard network for clearing and settlement.
"Enabling the Meijer Platinum MasterCard card with PayPass simplifies and enhances the customer experience in-store and at the pump," said Fred P. Gore, senior vice president, North America Acceptance, MasterCard International. "MasterCard cardholders, including Meijer Platinum cardholders, can continue to enjoy the flexibility, convenience, security and global acceptance that comes from carrying a MasterCard card. With the new PayPass option, they can add speed and ease of use too."