A year and a half after debuting a massive partnership with Starbucks, payments company Square is announcing its next big, in-store retail deal: Whole Foods, according to published reports.
When Square debuted Stand last year, the assumption was that this high-powered hardware and software play would help attract large retailers. The deal essentially places Square Stands and registers in all Whole Foods in-store venues (not checkout lines). These include sandwich counters, juice and coffee bars, pizzerias, and beer and wine bars in Whole Foods.
In some of these spots (sandwich counters) shoppers had to go through the regular checkout line to purchase food. In other venues (wine bars), there was an existing register or even standalone ordering kiosks.