The future of being able to checkout at a retailer without any interaction with an employee is closer than you may think. As long as you have your smartphone in your pocket you’ll be golden, no wallet required. Sounds like a dream come true to me. Here are the main players pushing this initiative and coming up with the technology needed to make it happen.

Amazon.com

Amazon introduced it’s first Amazon Go store in Seattle last year and it looks awesome.

You just walk around the store, put things in your basket, walk out, and get charged automatically.

The only thing you need to enter the store is the free Amazon Go app. (iOS, Android)

Look for many more of these stores to open across the country soon.

See Also: 5 Apps That Make Standing in the Checkout Line a Thing of the Past

CVS Pharmacy

With CVS Pay you have a very handy way to pay in-store.

Not only can you use the app to pay with any linked credit or debit card, but it integrates fully with the CVS Pharmacy.

You’ll actually be able to use CVS Pay to “refill and manage multiple prescriptions and get alerts when prescriptions are ready.”

Fantastic time saver if you shop at CVS regularly.

Kohl’s

You can use Kohl’s Pay, via the Kohl’s app, to checkout quickly when in-store.

You’ll only need a Kohl’s credit card and an active account to make it happen.

Just scan the barcode of the items you’re buying, then add the rewards and Kohl’s cash that you want to use.

Then when checking out, just tell the employee you’re using Kohl’s Pay and scan the QR code that shows up on the “customer display” to complete your purchase. Simple.

Macy’s

Macy’s recently announced the ability to pay with your mobile device via the Macy’s app.

You simply use the app to scan the items and pay for your purchase.

It’s actually a pretty slick process as they have a separate “Express Line” at the Macy’s service center.

You just present the app to the employee, who then counts the items and removes any security tags before sending you on your way.

This service should roll out to all Macy’s locations by the end of 2018.

Nordstrom

Nordstrom is taking mobile payments very serious by installing 5,000 mobile checkout devices at over 110 Nordstrom stores by July of 2018.

It’s appears to be a pretty simple process as well.

Shoppers simply have any employee scan your items and slide your credit card in their hand-held mobile checkout device.

My understanding is that it’s similar to how the Apple Store currently works where any employee can complete your purchase from anywhere in the brick and mortar store.

Target

Target also has a way for you to pay with your smartphone while shopping in-store.

They call it Target Pay and it’s available through the Target app.

With a single scan of the product’s barcode you can pay with a Target REDcard and use Cartwheel coupons as well.

Keep in mind that you can’t just walk out of the store after paying, you’ll have to have your smartphone scanned at a checkout register.

Walmart

To use mobile pay at Walmart you have to start by downloading the free Walmart app.

Once you have it on your smartphone, just sign-in to your Walmart account and update your preferred payment method.

Then you just visit checkout like you normally would and hold your phone over the QR code when prompted by the Walmart employee.

Specifically, to get there, you’ll “open the Walmart app, tap the menu or Services icon and tap the Walmart Pay icon.

After entering your unique security PIN or biometric identification, hold your phone over the QR code to scan. Once the phone registers the QR code, the payment will be processed automatically.”

The app will even store your receipt which is really handy for any returns you might have to make.

Ask the Reader: Are there any other major retailers that also offer mobile payments? Let me know in the comments and I’ll check them out personally.

By Kyle James

Photo credit to Philip Pessar.