MoneyGram, Kroger Pair On Bill Pay

MoneyGram, a global money transfer and payment company, has announced a partnership with the Kroger family of stores, according to the company.

MoneyGram bill pay will be available at more than 1,900 Money Services counters, which are located in Kroger stores across the country, as well as Fry’s, King Soopers, Smith’s and Fred Meyer.

Grant Lines, MoneyGram’s chief revenue officer, said the partnership will make it easier for Kroger customers to handle their financial needs.

“We are excited to partner with Kroger, one of the most preferred shopping destinations in the U.S., to give customers more choice when they need to pay their bills,” Lines said. “Customers can now make payments to more than 13,000 billers at their local market. Allowing them to manage their everyday financial needs in the same place they shop aligns with our vision to deliver an easy and convenient customer experience.”

The partnership is a step toward MoneyGram’s goal of building and capitalizing on a strong physical network to help customers who use cash regularly.

Earlier this month, MoneyGram launched a new mobile app in the United States and 14 other countries. The app, which is available for iOS and Android, includes features like biometric identification, location finder, exchange rate and fee estimates and transfer tracking.

MoneyGram Chairman and CEO Alex Holmes said the move is paramount for the continued growth of the company’s digital and mobile strategies.

“More than 70 percent of our online transactions are made on a mobile device,” he said. “It’s critical that the consumers who use their smartphones to transact with us have a product that provides an exceptional customer experience. We believe the new MoneyGram app is the best app in the industry.”

MoneyGram has also been leaning into its digital growth. Earlier this year, the company launched MoneyGram.com in 21 new markets.

“2018 has been an incredible year of growth for our digital platforms. We have strengthened our position in the industry’s competitive digital environment while also growing our extensive agent network,” Holmes said. “These actions support our commitment to offer our customers a true omnichannel experience when they transact with us.”