This is the first partnership signed between Apple and a major European retailer: the Carrefour loyalty card is now integrated into Apple's Wallet. Carrefour hopes to boost its mobile payment offering.
Smooth mobile payment
To have their loyalty card recognized, Carrefour customers must first add it to Apple Wallet. This is a one-time operation. When in the store, they simply bring their iPhone or Apple Watch up to the payment terminal. An initial authentication is then required, either by code, Face ID or Touch ID. The customer must then activate Apple Pay to proceed with payment by credit card.
The environment is secure and no personal data is transferred to Apple, according to claims by both companies.
"This integration with Apple Wallet and Appel Pay is unique in Europe and enables us to offer our customers a new service designed to make their daily lives easier," says Marie Cheval, Executive Director Hypermarkets and Group Financial Services at Carrefour, in a recent press release. "Contactless payment is an increasingly popular alternative, and by integrating the Carrefour loyalty card, we are going beyond simple payment and offering our customers a smooth, contactless checkout experience."
From autumn 2020, customers will also be able to make online purchases on Carrefour's website and app via Apple Pay.
A highly favorable environment for mobile payment
In 2016, Carrefour had already sought to combine the loyalty card and mobile payment, via the "wa!" wallet in partnership with BNP Paribas. The retailer also introduced Carrefour Pay, its mobile payment app available on Android. An application that has met with little success (only 5% of transactions): Carrefour is therefore counting on Apple Pay's notoriety to boost smartphone purchases.
It has to be said that the context is very favorable: the Covid-19 crisis and health measures have benefited contactless and mobile payment. By the end of March, Carrefour had already raised the contactless payment limit on its Pass card. The 2.2 million consumers with this card can now make contactless payments of up to 100 euros.
Apple Pay has already forged partnerships with all the major French banks, and intends to join forces with other major European retailers.