Over 3,000 Walgreens drugstores accept Alipay payments, more to follow

Chinese online payment platform Alipay is now available in more than 3,000 Walgreens drugstores in the U.S., according to a press release. Alipay is dedicated primarily to Chinese tourists who drive the adoption of mobile payment methods like Alipay and WeChat Pay abroad. First Walgreens drugstores to implement Alipay are situated in cities most frequented by Chinese tourists, such as New York City, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. More are expected to follow; Alipay should be available in over 7,000 stores across the U.S. by April.

“Alipay's offline, in-store payment service is offered in more than 40 countries and regions, so we are excited to partner with a company that has been trusted across America since 1901, and is constantly evolving to provide more Chinese consumers with a seamless and familiar way to pay,” said Yulei Wang, general manager of Alipay North America.

Among merchant partners, it has Octoberfest. Besides providing a mobile payment method, Alipay also launched the Octoberfest in-app guide to help tourists make the most of the event.