Major Retailer Adjusts Payment Options in Response to Declining Usage
New Payment Policy Announced
Target, one of the nation’s leading retailers, has announced that it will cease accepting personal checks as a form of payment starting July 15. The decision comes in response to a significant decline in the use of personal checks by shoppers.
Statement from Target
“Due to extremely low volumes, we’ll no longer accept personal checks starting July 15,” a Target representative stated in a press release shared with Nexstar. “We have taken several measures to notify guests in advance to aid an easy and efficient checkout experience.”
This shift is part of a broader trend observed nationwide. According to the Federal Reserve, the use of personal checks has been steadily decreasing over the past few decades. Recent data indicates that only around 12 billion checks were written in 2021, a sharp drop from 20.2 billion in 2015.
Alternative payment methods
Despite the discontinuation of personal checks, Target offers a variety of other payment methods. The retailer has been proactive in expanding its payment options to enhance customer convenience. Accepted payment methods include:
- Target Circle Cards (formerly Target RedCard)
- Cash
- Digital wallets
- SNAP/EBT
- Buy now, pay later services
- Credit and debit cards
Current payment policies
As of now, Target’s official website still lists “personal checks” among the accepted forms of payment for in-store purchases. However, starting July 15, this will no longer be the case. Other forms of payment generally not accepted include foreign checks, foreign currency, mall gift cards, “chamber bucks” (certificates issued by local chambers of commerce), money orders, cashier’s checks, business checks, and non-Target gift cards (except Starbucks gift cards for use at Starbucks shops inside Target stores).
Target is committed to ensuring a smooth transition for its customers. “Target is committed to creating an easy and convenient checkout experience, and that includes providing our guests with numerous ways to pay,” the spokesperson added.
The change aims to streamline the checkout process and better align with current payment trends, ensuring a more efficient shopping experience for all Target customers.