Bi-Lo Holdings, Associated Food Stores Offering Apple Pay
Bi-Lo Holdings, parent company of Bi-Lo, Harveys and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is now allowing customers to use the Apple Pay digital payment system across its entire eight-state Southeastern footprint. According to the company, it's one of the first grocers in the region to provide the solution.
"Customers want a shopping experience that is convenient, easy and secure," said Bert DuMars, VP, digital marketing at Jacksonville, Fla.-based Bi-Lo Holdings, which he added "is prioritizing digital mobile solutions for our customers, and Apple Pay is an exciting first step in our journey."
Apple Pay is now available to Bi-Lo, Harveys and Winn-Dixie customers with iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus smartphones. These shoppers will be able to hold their devices to the contactless reader at checkout and place a finger on the Touch ID to pay easily and safely.
When a user adds a credit or debit card with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers aren’t stored on the device or on Apple servers; instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted and securely stored on the smartphone. Each transaction is authorized with a one-time unique dynamic security code. In cases of loss or theft, a customer can use the Find My iPhone function to suspend or remove cards from the device.
"Data security is an increasingly important issue for all customers," noted DuMars. "We are pleased to offer a digital solution that prioritizes privacy and usability."
Previous adopters of Apple Pay in the grocery channel include Whole Foods Market and Wegmans Food Markets.
Bi-Lo Holdings employs more than 71,000 associates in about 830 Bi-Lo, Harveys and Winn-Dixie grocery stores and 550 in-store pharmacies throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Ahead of the Rush
In other Apple Pay news, in time for the Thanksgiving holiday shopping rush, 135 of Associated Food Stores’ (AFS) local and independent grocers will offer the payment solution.
"We want to make grocery shopping as easy as possible for our guests," said said Jason Sokol, director of marketing for Salt Lake City-based AFS. "That includes offering a variety of options when it comes to payment, from traditional choices like cash andcards to mobile purchases."
At the 135 locations, Apple Pay works with iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch, upon availability.
The following AFS grocers now offer Apple Pay, with more to come: A&A Market, Andy's, Bees, Blair’s Market, Broulim's, Burney & Company, Clarks, Clinton Market, D.J.'s, Dave’s Jubilee Market, Davis Food and Drug, Dan's Fresh Market, Day's Market, Dick's Market, Dove Creek Superette Inc, Downey Food Center, Elgin Foodtown, Etcheverry's Foodtown, Family Food Town, Food Round Up, Fort Hall, Fresh Market, Glazier's Foodtown, Hoback Market, Honey's, Ivie's Market, Jerry's Market, John's Marketplace, Kamas Foodtown, Ken’s Food Market, Kent's, Kesler’s Market, Khoury's Marketplace, Lakeview Market, Lallatin Foodtown, Lee's & Dad’s, Lee's, Lin's, Macey's, Madison Foods, Meiers, Midway Market, Nel's Bi-Lo, Orange Street Food Farm, Panaca Market, Peterson's Fresh Market, PJ's Gourmet Market, Ream's Springville, Reynolds Super Market, Robin's Roost Chevron and Grocery, Roxy's Market, Roy's Foodtown, Roy's Market, Saveway, Soelberg's, Stan's Market, Stewarts' Thriftway, Stokes' Market, Swasey's Food Town, The Market at Park City, The Store, The Store Too, Thomas Market, Uptown Market, Ute Plaza, Valley Market, Victor Market and Café, Village Market, Wangsgard's Market, and Warehouse Market.