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Yes, You Can You Buy Groceries With PayPal: Here’s How

Learn how to buy groceries with PayPal, from the world's most reputable and well-known groceries stores and delivery apps.

Key Takeaways

  • PayPal can be linked to digital wallets for grocery shopping.
  • Whole Foods, Publix, Costco, and Aldi are among the stores accepting PayPal through mobile pay methods.
  • Order groceries online with PayPal through services like Thrive Market Walmart and Amazon Fresh using indirect methods.
  • Delivery apps like Instacart and Uber Eats allow direct PayPal payments for grocery delivery, simplifying the process.

Can You Buy Groceries With Paypal?

Yes, you can buy groceries with PayPal by linking it to digital wallets like Google Pay or Samsung Pay, which are accepted at many grocery stores.

Direct PayPal payments are less common, but some stores may offer this option. In-person shopping typically requires a digital wallet setup since PayPal cannot be linked to Apple Pay.

For detailed compatibility, check with individual grocery stores.

Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert

One thing to consider before buying groceries with PayPal is that many grocery store employees may not know how the process works, especially for in-store purchases.

This is especially true if they don’t understand how QR codes work or haven’t personally used the PayPal checkout process at that particular store.

A quick solution to avoid this situation is to use a PayPal debit or credit card, linked to a PayPal account.

This process works just like a regular checkout, but avoids potential confusion mentioned above.

Another common issue to be aware of is that large purchases can sometimes get flagged as fraud, and as a result, blocked from payment.

In cases of declined transactions or security flags, contact PayPal’s customer service, or the card issuer’s fraud department to quickly approve the transaction and have the block removed.

Overview: Grocery Companies That Accept PayPal

Grocery Stores That Accept Paypal

  1. Whole Foods
  2. Publix
  3. Costco
  4. ALDI
  5. Food Lion
  6. King Soopers
  7. Kroger
  8. Shaw’s
  9. Trader Joe’s

Online Grocery Stores That Accept Paypal

  1. Thrive Market
  2. Walmart
  3. Target
  4. Amazon Fresh
  5. The Fresh Market

Grocery Delivery Apps That Accept Paypal

  1. Instacart
  2. Uber Eats
  3. DoorDash
  4. Grubhub
  5. Postmates

Grocery Stores That Accept Paypal

Not all grocery stores have the equipment or security to accept touchless payments from your mobile device. But many grocery stores nowadays are equipped with this new technology, which means you can use PayPal to buy your food!

Below are the most common grocery stores in America that are happy to accept PayPal through your mobile device when you’re ready to check out your shopping cart.

vector graphic showing a hand holding a phone to illustrate that you can buy groceries with paypal

1. Whole Foods

At Whole Foods, you can purchase groceries using Google Pay or Apple Pay, as Samsung Pay isn’t accepted. Whole Foods began accepting Google Pay in addition to Apple Pay starting from early 2023. To use PayPal for purchases at Whole Foods, simply link it to your Google Pay account.

2. Publix

Publix is all about touchless payment methods, offering customers the option to use Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay.

So whichever mobile payment method you prefer, you can link your PayPal to it and use it in-store at Publix.

They also have a Publix App from Google Play that you can pay with directly and link to your PayPal account.

3. Costco

Costco has specific payment preferences, only accepting Visa cards and not Amex, Mastercard, or Discover for purchases. However, they do welcome mobile payments such as Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay.

You can use PayPal at Costco through these mobile platforms, but ensure your PayPal is connected to a bank account or a Visa card, as other card types are not accepted.

4. Aldi

Aldi accepts all forms of mobile payment, so you can use Google or Samsung pay and link it to your PayPal account.

Like most stores, they accept any credit card and debit card. So you can also use your PayPal cash card (debit card) if you have one.

5. Food Lion

Food Lion is one of the smaller chains of grocery stores, but they still have the technology, so you can use Google Pay or Samsung Pay to buy groceries and charge your PayPal account.

6. King Soopers

King Soopers now accepts mobile payments exclusively through their Kroger app, distinguishing them from other stores that may offer broader mobile payment options. To pay with your phone, you need to download their app and link it to your Google Pay, Samsung Pay, or PayPal account.

7. Kroger

Kroger owns King Soopers, so the two stores follow the same rules when accepting PayPal and mobile payments. Like you must with King Soopers, you’ll need to download the Kroger App to pay by phone and use funds from your PayPal.

8. Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s was actually at the forefront of mobile and touchless payments. They began accepting them as early as 2016. So using Google Pay and Samsung Pay to buy your favorite Trader Joe’s frozen appetizers or their fancy peanut butter is a breeze!

9. Shaw’s

Shaw’s makes it easy when it comes to paying. They accept nearly every possible payment method, including mobile payments that you can link to your PayPal.

Online Grocery Stores That Accept Paypal

Grocery stores on a Sunday morning can be a zoo, so many people turn toward online grocery shopping. If you buy your groceries online, it is easier to use PayPal linked to a mobile payment platform.

Below are the four best online grocery stores that will allow you to pay with Google Pay or Samsung Pay hooked up to a PayPal account.

1. Thrive Market

Rather than a one-time grocery order, Thrive Market Walmart is a subscription service that bills you monthly or yearly, which you can set up to come from your PayPal via Google or Samsung Pay.

2. Walmart

Customers can shop at Walmart in-store and online using their PayPal account. To pay in-store with PayPal, you will need to use the PayPal card at checkout the same way you would use a debit or credit card.

3. Target

Target makes it super easy to order online using a mobile payment method attached to your PayPal account. You can use any mobile payment method linked to your PayPal account.

4. Amazon Fresh

While it is possible to use PayPal on Amazon Fresh, it does require some extra effort.

You cannot link PayPal as one of your payment methods on your Amazon account. But you can use PayPal to buy an Amazon gift card, which you can then use to order groceries.

If you have PayPal Key or a PayPal cash card, you can use these as payment methods on Amazon Fresh.

5. The Fresh Market

When ordering groceries from The Fresh Market online, you can use your PayPal cash card, Samsung, or Google Pay. All it takes is a quick sign-in to your Samsung or Google account.

Grocery Delivery Apps That Accept Paypal

Grocery delivery apps offer the ultimate convenience by accepting PayPal, allowing you to have essentials like eggs, milk, and bread delivered on the same day.

For an even smoother transaction, you can pay through these apps using PayPal linked to a mobile payment method.

1. Instacart

Instacart offers a quick and convenient service for getting your groceries delivered in just a few hours. When you place an order, a personal shopper will go to the grocery store you choose and handpick the items you want.

The service charge is quite low, making the app both budget-friendly and handy for many users. Plus, you have the added convenience of paying with your PayPal account, which simplifies the process even further by eliminating the need to use Google or Samsung Pay.

2. Uber Eats

Uber Eats is another PayPal-friendly platform.

You can link your PayPal account as your direct form of payment, reducing the hassle of setting up other mobile pay accounts.

However, Uber Eats is best for small grocery shops for things from 7/11 or other smaller stores.

But depending on your location, you may be able to place an entire grocery order via Uber Eats.

3. DoorDash

DoorDash is better known for meal delivery from restaurants, but they’ve added grocery stores to their list of conveniences.

They accept PayPal as a direct form of payment, making your life easier if that’s where your money is.

4. GrubHub

GrubHub also accepts PayPal directly, as well as other online payment platforms like Venmo.

They accept Samsung Pay, but not Google Pay.

5. Postmates

Postmates is also a PayPal-friendly app that can deliver groceries.

They also accept Google Pay and Samsung Pay, allowing you to order directly from Google listings if your account is set up properly.

How to Combine Paypal With Google Pay

For traditional in-store grocery shopping, using Google Pay is a great option to access your funds from PayPal.

Google Pay stands out for online grocery purchases as well, thanks to its compatibility with both mobile devices and desktop computers.

On the other hand, Samsung Pay might present some challenges when trying to use it with your computer.

Google Pay’s flexibility allows it to work across various smart devices, including Android phones, iPhones, and desktops.

Linking your PayPal to Google Pay is straightforward if you follow the provided instructions:

  1. Open the Google Pay app on your phone or desktop.
  2. Go to ‘Payment Methods’ and click the box that says ‘Add New Payment Method.’
  3. Tap on the PayPal option.
  4. Follow the instructions to fill in your PayPal account details.
  5. Verify your account, and then you’re all set!

How to Combine Paypal With Samsung Pay


If you choose Samsung Pay over Google Pay, the setup is equally straightforward. However, Samsung Pay has compatibility restrictions and won’t work on iOS devices. For those with iOS, Google Pay is the alternative.

Samsung device owners can easily set up Samsung Pay by following the upcoming steps:

  1. Download and open the Samsung Pay app.
  2. On the home page, click the ‘Add PayPal’ button. If it doesn’t appear, go to saved payment methods, and you’ll find it there.
  3. Sign in to your PayPal account and complete the verification process when prompted. And then you’re good to go!

It’s important to remember that you need to configure Samsung Pay on your phone since adding PayPal isn’t possible through a computer.

How to Buy a Gift Card With Paypal

If you don’t want to use Google Pay or Samsung Pay, you can buy a gift card from PayPal to buy groceries from places like Amazon Fresh.

  1. Visit PayPal’s Digital Gifts page.
  2. Select the gift card you want (Amazon, Publix, etc.)
  3. Choose the value.
  4. Complete the transaction, and you’ll receive a digital gift card you can use online or in-store.

Wrapping Up

If PayPal is the primary source of your cash flow or you use it as a bank account, it’s often easier to directly pay from your account. Luckily, buying groceries with PayPal funds is a snap if you have it set up on your devices!

So whether you shop on Instacart or at Whole Foods, you can use your PayPal money to fill your belly!

1 thought on “Yes, You Can You Buy Groceries With PayPal: Here’s How”

  1. I have an established PayPal account and it used to work with Google pay but now even when it looks like I have the links set up properly it does not work. The only issue I have found is that there is a request for my mobile number and I do not use a cell phone. I am using a lenovo tablet and have used it for the past several years. I have sent out requests for help with both PayPal and Google pay but have not received help to fix this problem.

    Reply

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