Trader Joe's grocery chain preparing to accept Apple Pay

Photo credit: Victor Marks.

Kiosks at Trader Joe's checkout counters across the U.S. have been seeing upgrades in recent weeks and months to VeriFone touchscreen machines. Some of these payment terminals already advertise that they accept Apple Pay, as seen above at a store in Raleigh, spotted by AppleInsider.

Not all stores have yet enabled support for Apple Pay, even if the new VeriFone terminals are installed. For example, a trip Friday afternoon to the Trader Joe's in Brooklyn revealed that Apple Pay is not yet being accepted, and a check-out clerk mentioned that support is forthcoming at an unknown date.

AppleInsider reached out to Trader Joe's to find out when Apple Pay support might be officially, fully coming to the grocery chain, but requests for comment were not returned as of Friday afternoon.

Managers at two California stores separately verified that Trader Joe's is experimenting with touchless payment solutions, including Apple's, but has yet to make a formal decision on support. Employees at other locations had not yet heard of upcoming functionality.

The California-based, privately-held company owns more than 400 locations across the U.S., spanning to both coasts. Specializing in private label foods, organics and specialty products, it raked in an estimated $12 billion in revenue last year.

When it officially launches, Apple Pay support at Trader Joe's will join other grocery chains such as Meijer, Winn-Dixie, Bi-Lo and Whole Foods, among others.