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Canada: Walmart starts cutting off Visa

 |  July 18, 2016

Some Walmart shoppers in Canada can no longer use their Visa cards — and the change will roll out across the rest of Walmart’s stores in Canada in the near future.

The companies are tussling over the fees that retailers pay every time a shopper uses their card. Walmart says the fees it pays Visa in Canada are four times higher than in other countries.

“Unfortunately, Visa and Walmart have been unable to agree on an acceptable fee for Visa transactions,” said Walmart’s statement. “We believe credit card fees should be lower for everyone, whether they are a large retailer, small retailer or a charity. Canadians deserve better than paying a hidden fee. We are taking a stand for our customers because Visa’s high fees can result in increased prices.”

The cut off is starting in three stores in Thunder Bay, Ontario, a city of about 100,000, but will ultimately affect all of the 400 Walmart stores in Canada.

The ban on Visa does not apply to Walmart stores in other countries.

Full Content: The Wall Street Journal

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