REWE PAY: Supermarket chain is expanding bonus app with payment function

From July 1st, users of the REWE app can redeem more than just coupons and discounts at the cash register. With the same scan of the bonus code you can also pay for your purchase. With this function, the retail chain follows the competitors Lidl, Edeka and others, who have been integrating a payment function into their apps for a while.

REWE PAY: Payment function requires a Girocard

Half a year after the introduction of the Rewe bonus app, the chain extends the range of functions by a payment option. In order to be able to use the service, customers have to link their checking account to the app. To do this, the purchase must first be paid classically with a checking card and the direct debit (permanent mandate) must be confirmed by signature.

The service works exclusively with the Girocard and is not compatible with credit or debit cards of international providers, explains the company. The payment option can be used at classic health insurers and self-checkout terminals (SCO).

In order to protect against misuse of the payment function, REWE has integrated security measures. This is how Rewe Pay only works on the device on which the user activated it for the first time. In addition, the app requires a safety check such as Face ID, fingerprint or device code for each payment. On request, the function can be deactivated in the app.

As Rewe explains, all activated advantages such as coupons or discounts are automatically taken into account when paying via the app. The purchase amount is debited by direct debit from the connected checking account within one to three days. After purchasing, confirmation of the successful payment process in the app is displayed.

Advantages for Rewe

With the expansion of its REWE app, the company can tie customers closer to themselves. The required direct debit mandate using Girocard is an established payment method for numerous German customers. For REWE, the procedure also means lower transaction costs than in debit or credit cards of international providers, such as The supermarket blog writes. Customers of direct banks such as ING or DKB tend to be excluded, since these banks only issue checking cards for a monthly fee.

For Rewe, the new offer is an important component “the more comprehensive digitization strategy of the REWE Group”. The strategy focuses on “using consumers better through innovative technologies and at the same time optimizing internal processes,” it says.

Payment tools, a subsidiary of Rewe Group, have developed the payment method. It is first introduced “at the largest sales line of the group”.