OfficeMax is letting in-store customers pay via Google Wallet to deliver a faster, personalized in-store shopping experience.

OfficeMax has introduced new checkout terminals in more than 100 stores that harness Google Wallet and enable customers pay for their purchases, redeem coupons and earn MaxPerks awards with a single tap of their mobile phones. It is the first national office supply retailer to accept mobile payments via Google Wallet.

“OfficeMax is using the very latest technology to deliver a faster, easier and personalized in-store shopping experience for our customers, and mobile payments with Google Wallet lets us do that,” said Chris Duncan, vice president of direct and loyalty marketing for OfficeMax, Naperville, IL.

“We want to provide our customer a choice in the payment option/method they would like to use,” he said.

“Our strategy has also been to partner with leading brands/companies in the mobile space. We’ve chosen to partner with Google because they have demonstrated an aptitude to be leaders in the technology space. We want to be a part of that with any company that leads to be a better experience with our customers and ultimately helps serve them better.”

Improving the customer experience
The Google Wallet app is available on the Sprint Nexus 4G phones. It stores virtual versions of a customer’s payment and rewards credentials and uses near field communication technology to make payments by tapping the phone on the MasterCard terminals.

In addition to OfficeMax, customers can currently pay via Google Wallet at some Rite Aid, Duane Reade, 7-Eleven and other retail locations.

OfficeMax’s new contactless payment terminals are powered by MasterCard PayPass. They are available at stores throughout the greater New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, DC markets.

OfficeMax will promote the new services via Google Wallet in store and will provide coupons to customers via Google Wallet that can be applied automatically to eligible transactions.

The new contactless payment terminals are one of several recent mobile programs rolled out by OfficeMax.

OfficeMax has a mobile shopping app and mobile-optimized site that allow customers to view and purchase office supplies, find a store, check weekly ads and receive personalized deals through its loyalty program MaxPerks Rewards.

More recently, it introduced the ImPress Mobile Print Center app which offers full-service mobile printing via cloud printing technology.

The retailer also has a SMS text alerts program that delivers offers and updates to opted-in customers.

“Adding Google Wallet is the latest step in our aggressive mobile marketing strategy that allows us to provide a better, more personalized experience for our customers,” Mr. Duncan said.

“It’s all part of a greater effort to reach customers where they are, and how they want to be reached,” he said.

Final Take
Chantal Tode is associate editor on Mobile Commerce Daily, New York