GameStop is rolling out Apple Pay in all of its 4,200+ U.S. stores during March 2015, allowing shoppers to purchase products using their phones and eventually, their smart watches.
“We are excited to make it easier and more convenient for our customers to shop at GameStop,” said Jason Cochran, SVP of U.S. Stores at GameStop. “Providing a positive, memorable customer experience is our top priority. Incorporating the latest in mobile technology, such as Apple Pay, into our stores is another way we are offering customers options to help simplify their purchases.”
When a shopper adds a credit or debit card to Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device or on Apple servers. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted and securely stored in the Secure Element on their device. Rather than referring to the security code on the back of a credit or debit card, each transaction is authorized with a one-time unique dynamic security code.
Advertisement
Apple Pay will be available to consumers who have the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and/or the new Apple Watch. GameStop’s other retail brand, Spring Mobile, will start accepting Apple Pay later in 2015.
GameStop Expands Gift Card Exchange To Stores
GameStop also is now offering GameStop Exchange, its online exchange program, to its retail stores. Initially launched in 2014, GameStop Exchange was developed in partnership with gift card exchange platform Cardpool.
Consumers who participate in GameStop Exchange can sell select retailer gift cards in-store and have the amount loaded to a GameStop gift card that can be immediately used to make in-store purchases.
“We’ve always provided the best value through our trade-in and pre-owned offerings, and the success of our original gift card exchange offering has proven that,” said Jon Haes, Senior Director of Pre-Owned Merchandising at GameStop. “We’re excited about our growing partnership with Cardpool. This is the logical ‘next step’ in revolutionizing the way major retailers offer prepaid gifting exchange while providing customers even more ways to access immediate value both in their retail stores and online.”
