Wal-Mart to launch own mobile pay system

Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, says it’s testing its own mobile payment system that will allow shoppers to pay with any major credit or

Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, says it’s testing its own mobile payment system that will allow shoppers to pay with any major credit or

The mobile payment wars are heating up. (AFP)

debit card or its own store gift card through its own app. It will start testing the new system Thursday in stores in the Bentonville, Arkansas area, where the retailer is based. It plans to launch the payment feature in all 4,500-plus U.S. stores in the first half of next year.

With this move, Wal-Mart becomes the first retailer to have its own mobile payment system that works with an iPhone or Android device - and with any major credit or debit card.

The move is the latest salvo in the battle of mobile payments.