What Grocery Stores Accept PayPal? (Complete Guide)


What Grocery Stores Accept PayPal?

PayPal is a popular way to manage money digitally. It is similar to a traditional banking account because you can use your account to buy, save, deposit and withdrawal. Additionally, PayPal can be used for business or personal accounts. Essentially, PayPal acts as a middleman between your bank and a retailer. With the versatility of this app, it’s no wonder it has become so popular. In fact, you can even use it to pay for groceries.

Many grocery stores accept PayPal as a form of payment, including ALDI, Costco, Food Lion, Wegmans, and more. This is a convenient way to purchase items without putting your bank information at risk. There is a variation in the way each store will accept PayPal, including online purchases, using Google Pay or a PayPal debit or credit card.

In this article, we will discuss which grocery stores accept PayPal, how to use PayPal, and more. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about using PayPal to purchase your groceries.

Can You Use PayPal at Grocery Stores?

PayPal can be used at all grocery stores depending on the way you have your account set up. Because this service is fully digital, your transaction process may vary at different stores. As technology advances, more and more grocery stores are making it easier to use PayPal as a payment method for purchasing your groceries.

Generally, there is no way to pay for items in person directly using the PayPal App. The only method available is using the PayPal QR Code within the app. Unfortunately, this method is not widely accepted. However, you can link your PayPal account to Google and Samsung Pay and use that to digitally pay for your groceries at stores that offer this service.

Additionally, PayPal offers the PayPal Debit Card. The PayPal Debit Card is a debit card that links directly to your PayPal account balance. Each time you use this card to pay for an item, the cost is subtracted from your PayPal account balance, just like using a normal debit card linked to your checking account.

Finally, you can use PayPal to pay for groceries that are purchased online. This can be done through Amazon, Instacart, or the store website.

What Grocery Stores Use PayPal? 

Almost all grocery stores accept PayPal as a form of payment in some way or another. Whether it is directly through the app, using the PayPal Debit Card, or linking your PayPal account to Google Pay or Samsung Pay on your phone and using your device to pay digitally.

Before visiting your local store, it is always best to call and confirm payment methods. Additionally, you can always bring a backup method such as a credit card, debit card, or cash.

We have provided a table below to show some of the most popular grocery stores across the country that offer PayPal as a form of payment for your groceries. This table breaks down exactly how you are able to use PayPal, as we know methods can vary. Take a look!

Grocery StoreAccepts Paypal Debit CardAccepts PayPal AppAccepts PayPal Through Google Pay/Samsung Pay
AlbertsonsYesNoYes
ALDIYesNoYes
BI-LOYesNoYes
BJ’s Wholesale ClubYesNoYes
Brookshire’s Food & PharmacyYesNoYes
CostcoYesNoYes
CVSYesYesYes
Farm FreshYesNoYes
Food LionYesNoYes
Giant Food StoresYesNoYes
H-E-BYesNoYes
King SoopersYesNoYes
KrogerYesYesYes
Publix YesNoYes
TargetYesNoYes
Trader Joe’sYesNoYes
WalmartYesNoYes
WegmansYesNoYes
Whole FoodsYesNoYes
Winn-DixieYesNoYes

As you can see, using the app to pay directly in-store is not a widely offered service by most grocery stores. If you want to shop in-person, using a PayPal card or linking your account to your mobile device is your best bet. But, if you are interested in shopping online or using a grocery delivery service, you should have no problem using your PayPal account.

How to Pay at Grocery Stores with PayPal

Depending on your local grocery store, there are a few different methods you can use in order to pay for your groceries through PayPal. These methods include a PayPal debit card, PayPal Credit, using the app directly, using the app’s QR code feature, or using your PayPal account that is linked to Google Pay or Samsung Pay on your mobile device. Let’s break down how to use each of these methods.

1. Pay Online

Shopping online is the easiest way to use PayPal to pay for your groceries. This is because it is the most direct method. You can also use this method for delivery services that accept PayPal directly, such as Instacart.

At checkout, you are able to select PayPal as your payment method. From here you may need to log into your account, and then the system will take the cost of your groceries directly from your PayPal account balance.

2. PayPal Debit Card

The PayPal Debit Card is structured like a traditional debit card that is linked to your bank account. The difference is that links directly to your PayPal account balance.

Each time you use it, the card withdraws the transaction amount from your PayPal balance in order to pay the retailer. This is the most widely accepted method if you are interested in paying in-person.

3. PayPal Credit

The PayPal Credit is not as widely accepted as other payment methods, but some grocery stores will let you pay using their PayPal Credit line of credit.

Unlike a traditional credit card account, PayPal Credit does not provide you physical card or card number. PayPal simply links the credit line to your PayPal account. At checkout, select PayPal as your form of payment.

4. PayPal QR Code

The PayPal QR Code is another way to pay using your app directly. To pay using the PayPal QR Code, open your app and select the “Scan/Pay” option. From there, you can scan the QR code provided by the store. To complete the transaction, enter the cost and hit “Send.”

Most grocery stores do not accept PayPal QR codes yet. However, more retailers are rolling out this method – CVS being one of them.

How to Use PayPal In-Store Without a Card

The most common way to use PayPal to pay for your groceries in-person without a card is by linking your PayPal account to Google Pay or Samsung Pay. These are mobile wallets offered on your device that allow contactless purchases. These apps enable users to make payments with phones, tablets, or watches.

Google Pay is considered the best way to pay. This is because it is easy to integrate for in-store and online grocery shopping. In contrast, Samsung can be tougher to integrate with your computer. Additionally, Google Pay is the other app offered to iPhone users. Samsung Pay is limited to Samsung-produced devices.

Using the PayPal QR Code found in your PayPal app is another way you can pay in-store without a card. With that said, it is not currently accepted at most grocery store locations. Be sure to check in with your local store before using this method to see if it is available.

Stores and Delivery Services that Accept PayPal Online

Using PayPal Online is the original form of payment that was offered by PayPal. This means that it is usually the most widely accepted. Most grocery stores that offer online payment allow PayPal as a payment method, with few exceptions.

In addition to just grocery stores, delivery services also allow PayPal as a payment method. This allows the user to order their groceries online and get them delivered to their doorstep. Grocery delivery services have been increasing in popularity since more consumers are shopping online for almost all of their goods.

Below are a list of stores and delivery services that accept PayPal:

Delivery ServiceAccepts PayPal
(Directly)
Accepts PayPal
(via Google Pay)
InstacartYesYes
Thrive MarketYesYes
Walmart.comYesNo
Target.comYesNo

Some grocery stores have their own home-delivery service run specifically by their company. But others establish partnerships with third-party companies like Instacart. For example, Publix partners with Instacart, which powers the delivery of the groceries to your home and processes the payment. Publix itself does not accept Payal, but Instacart does – making a delivery transaction payable by PayPal!

Also, if you are looking to get prepared meals delivered to your door, services such as Uber Eats, Grub Hub and Postmates all allow PayPal for payment.

Does Amazon Accept PayPal?

Although Amazon and PayPal are both wildly popular, unfortunately you cannot pay for items on Amazon using PayPal. Even though you cannot link these accounts, there are a few workarounds if you have your heart set on using your PayPal balance to fuel your Amazon addiction.

PayPal Credit and Debit Cards are able to be used as payment for Amazon purchases. This is the simplest way to complete a transaction.

Another way to use your PayPal balance for Amazon purchases is to use your PayPal account to purchase an Amazon gift card. From there you can load your gift card to your Amazon account.

Finally, there’s always the old-fashioned way of transferring your PayPal balance to your normal banking account and paying on Amazon using your regular method of payment.

How to Combine Your PayPal Account with Google Pay

Combining your PayPal account with Google Pay is fairly simple. You can do this on your desktop computer or a mobile device. It is important to note that iPhones cannot connect PayPal on the Google Pay app. However, the work around this flaw is to add your PayPal account via desktop, and then it will be available for use in your app. Take a look at the steps below to get set up using both methods:

On desktops:

  1. Go to the Google Pay website and sign-in to your account
  2. Click the “Payment methods” button on top of the screen
  3. Click “Add Payment Method”
  4. Select “Add PayPal” and click “Save”
  5. Verify your PayPal account once you are redirected

On mobile devices (Android):

  1. Open the Google Pay app and tap “Payment methods”
  2. Tap “Add payment method”
  3. Select “PayPal” from the list of payment methods
  4. Enter your PayPal e-mail address and tap “Allow” to verify your account
  5. Tap “Accept” to finish

How to Combine Your PayPal Account with Samsung Pay

Combining your PayPal account to Samsung Pay is another easy way to pay for items using a no-contact method. Samsung Pay is only offered on Samsung-provided devices, this means no iPhones.

To connect these, first download the Samsung Pay app. Then, follow the steps below:

  1. Open the Samsung Pay app and select the wallet tab at the bottom of the screen
  2. Click “+” and then “Add PayPal” icon
  3. Login to your PayPal to verify your account

This payment will work as a debit card transaction when you are paying in-person. This means you may need to enter a PIN into the device at the grocery store to complete the payment. To create or change a PIN, use the PayPal app on your mobile, or PayPal website under the Samsung Pay section.

Can You Combine Your PayPal Account to Apple Pay?

Unfortunately, you cannot connect your PayPal account with Apple Pay like Google and Samsung Pay apps. This means that PayPal cannot be used to facilitate contactless purchases in-store if you use an iPhone or Apple Watch. Another important thing to keep in mind is that you also can’t use a PayPal Cash Card in the Apple Pay app.

As of now, the only things that can be connected are your PayPal account and Apple ID. This will only let you complete transactions in the App Store, iTunes or Apple Books.

If you are an Apple user, you can still purchase online or bring your PayPal card to pay in-person.

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Choosing Nutrition Team

Here at Choosing Nutrition, our goal is to help people with making smarter food choices. Whether you're wondering about vegan, keto, paleo, or other diets, we'll help you determine which options fit your nutritional lifestyle. Our staff is composed of registered dieticians, nutritionists, and health-conscious individuals.

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