Giant Eagle breaks new ground by accepting in-store PayPal, Venmo payments

Giant Eagle and its GetGo division are the first U.S. supermarket and convenience chains to accept PayPal and Venmo payments at the store checkout.

The two banners of Pittsburgh-based parent company Giant Eagle Inc., which operates 474 stores across Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, and Maryland, are leveraging technology from Blackhawk Network and partnering with PayPal and Venmo to bring these payment methods in store.

Giant Eagle and GetGo are following in the footsteps of drugstore giant CVS Pharmacy, which in November 2020 became the first major national retailer to offer touch-free payment with PayPal and Venmo QR codes at brick-and-mortar stores.

Giant Eagle and GetGo customers are now able to pay using PayPal or Venmo QR codes at checkout. Customers open either the PayPal or Venmo mobile app, click the "scan" button, and select the “show to pay” option. 

PayPal customers can pay using stored debit or credit cards, bank accounts, PayPal balance, or PayPal Credit. With Venmo QR codes, customers can pay using their stored debit or credit cards, bank account, Venmo balance, or Venmo credit card for eligible users.

“We are thrilled to be the first supermarket and convenience chain in the country to accept PayPal and Venmo in our stores,” said Graham Watkins, Giant Eagle executive VP of retail innovation and business development. “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.”

“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 at 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.”

“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, senior VP of in-store at PayPal.