Giant Eagle Expands In-Store Payment Options With PayPal, Venmo

Customers of Giant Eagle’s 474 supermarket and GetGo convenience-store locations now have the option to pay for their transactions via PayPal and Venmo—a first for a U.S. chain, the Pittsburgh-based company said in a release.

Powered by Blackhawk Network, this new option for consumers is meeting increased demands for digital payments options in retail and grocery. Recent research from the branded payment solutions provider shows that of the digital wallet growth observed in 2020, 59% of consumers have been using their digital wallet more frequently than before the pandemic began. And of the digital payment tools available, 48% of consumers are using QR codes and barcodes on a mobile device more frequently over the past year.

"With mobile payments on the rise, it's not just about consumers finding easy payment options, it's also about ensuring that retailers and consumers are confident in using new payment tools and technologies," said Brett Narlinger, head of global commerce for Blackhawk Network. "Helping our partners be first-to-market with these new digital payment offerings that are in high-demand is a critical innovation that our team at Blackhawk is proud to support."

Graham Watkins, EVP of retail innovation and business development for Giant Eagle, added, “We are thrilled to be the first supermarket and convenience chain in the country to accept PayPal and Venmo in our stores. This implementation is particularly exciting as it enables Giant Eagle and GetGo customers to use the digital payment methods that they already enjoy in the places where they transact most frequently."

See also, Giant Eagle Aims to Give Loyalty Shoppers ‘What They Value and Need’

To pay via PayPal or Venmo, Giant Eagle and GetGo customers simply show a QR code obtained by opening either the PayPal or Venmo mobile app, clicking the "Scan" button and selecting the “show to pay” option. PayPal customers will be able to pay using stored debit or credit cards, bank accounts, PayPal balance or PayPal Credit. Venmo customers can also pay by using stored debit or credit cards and bank accounts, as well as by Venmo balance or Venmo Credit Card.

"Consumers have grown increasingly comfortable using digital payments in many different contexts over the past year including using touch-free options for in-store purchases. By working with Giant Eagle and Blackhawk Network, we are able to bring this technology to their customers for their everyday purchases and provide added value to these consumers," said Frank Keller, SVP of in-store for PayPal. "This expansion of PayPal and Venmo digital payments into grocery and convenience stores propels our mission to bring easy, safe payments to consumers at any point in their shopping experience."

Giant Eagle is ranked among the top 40 on Forbes magazine's largest private corporations list, and it is one of the nation's largest food retailers and distributors with approximately $10 billion in annual sales. It has stores throughout western Pennsylvania, Ohio, northern West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana.