US: Schubert explores Apple Pay spat

Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP announced this week that it has launched an investigation into possible anticompetitive conduct by retailers CVS and Rite Aid in their decision to not accept Apple Pay at their locations.

According to a press release published by the firm on Tuesday, Schubert is considering a possible class action against the retailers for their refusal to accept contactless payments, including recently-launched Apple Pay and competitor Google Wallet. CVS and Rite Aid both disabled their systems from accepting the mobile payment methods just one week after Apple Pay launched. Reports say the decision was sparked by the Merchant Customer Exchange, of which both retailers are members. MCX has developed its own, competing mobile payment system, known as CurrentC, to avoid fees charged by credit card issuers when mobile payment systems like Google Wallet and Apple Pay are used.

CurrentC does not allow credit cards in its system, reports say.

Schubert is now seeking input from consumers on the impact of CVS and Rite Aid’s decision to not accept the mobile payment methods, and is investigating whether the retailers’ action violates antitrust law.

Full content: MarketWatch

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