DES MOINES, Iowa—Consumers hovering their Apple Watch over the POS terminal won’t create the stir that tapping their phones at checkout did late last year when Apple Pay debuted.
That’s the prediction of analysts who say Apple Pay has done much to pave the way for new mobile payments devices.
Ryan Anderson, VP of product at The Members Group, said he does not expect the type of friction and confusion that led some cashiers six months ago to ask if the person inquiring about Apple Pay wanted apple pie.
“That happened,” said Anderson. “Some cashiers thought Apple Pay users were saying ‘apple pie,’ since they knew nothing about Apple Pay and mobile payments at the time. Apple Pay has led to a much better understanding of mobile payments.”
But with every new payments form factor, training must accompany it, said Anderson. “Consumers have to be trained how to use it and retailers how to accept it.”
Acknowledging that some cashiers may still be surprised when customers reach their wrist toward the POS device and not their card or phone, Anderson said any confusion will be minimal.