In this branch, too, customers may soon be able to pay with the Lidl Plus app. Image: www.imago-images.de / bMANUEL GEISSER
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Lidl starts payment service in Germany – that’s how the competition reacts
The corona crisis could also revolutionize how customers in discount stores and supermarkets pay. With Lidl, a company recently ventured with an announcement that it would now also like to offer a contactless method of payment in Germany.
With the Lidl Pay payment service, the discounter wants to create the option of making contactless payments via app in the future. As the “Lebensmittelzeitung” first reported, the service “wanted to offer in the branches in Germany in the future”.
The payment service has already been tested in the Spanish branches. Now it should also be tested on the German market.
Lidl cannot yet reveal any details. The discounter only told watson: The service was possible via the digital customer card “Lidl Plus”. The company could not say exactly when the payment service is to be expected. “Due to the corona virus, we are currently unable to provide any information on the timing,” Lidl told watson.
The “Lebensmittelzeitung” reports that with an app it is then possible to create a mobile shopping list, receive personalized offers and also handle the payment process.
Similar to Apple Pay, a QR code could be generated in the app, which is then read in by the scanner at the checkout and debited the amount from a credit card.
Competition remains cautious
The competition discounters were still covered by similar payment systems after inquiries from watson.
Kaufland said that contactless and mobile payment is possible with the usual checking and credit cards. And added: “Of course, we are constantly monitoring the developments so that we can continue to offer our customers simple and convenient payment methods.”
At Aldi Süd, the introduction of its own payment system “is currently not planned,” the company told watson. But of course you keep an eye on the developments in this area and, where appropriate, constantly adapt the offer for customers.
The Rewe Group announced:Rewe and Penny we offer our customers the service of Payback-Pay-Payment “. But here, too, one closely monitors the development and acceptance of alternatives from other companies.
(lukewarm)
