Woolworths, Coles and big banks introduce new way to pay

It’s been a huge feature of the pandemic, and now retailers are planning on using it to make life even easier for consumers.

Apple iOS and Google's Android software are in the vast majority of Australian phones, but the two are quite different when it comes to privacy standards.

Aussies will be able to pay for their groceries at Woolworths and Coles by scanning a QR code, with the new option rolling out into stores before Christmas.

No longer the domain of the pandemic – where QR codes have become a feature of checking in to places – the supermarket giants and major banks including Commonwealth Bank and National Australia Bank have partnered with Eftpos to introduce a new payment platform, called eQR.

It will be rolled out nationally and is expected to help retailers glean more data from customers, by linking their loyalty programs to the QR code, allowing them to personalise offers.

When in store, it will work by having a QR code at the checkout, which the customer can scan via their phone’s camera or through a shop’s app.