Seattle Nordstrom (Photo: Prayitno0
Seattle Nordstrom (Photo: Prayitno0

Nordstrom may be one of the key players in a new payments program being devised by Apple, according to a report by Bank Innovation today. Sources close to Nordstrom tell the news site that the two companies are in talks about payments, though it’s unclear how far along the talks are.

Apple is reportedly interested in including a major fashion brand like Nordstrom as a launch partner for a new payments program that the company is rumored to launch alongside the next version of the iPhone later this month. The Seattle-based retailer was chosen because of its network of physical retail stores, as well as its clientele.

Nordstrom has recently upgraded its mobile point-of-sale systems to the same model that Apple is using in its own retail stores, which would seem to indicate that such a collaboration is at least possible, if not likely.

It’s unclear yet what the payment system will entail, but other reports have said that it will allow some iPhone users to pay for goods and services without having to fish out their wallets or swipe credit cards. That could be a boon for both Apple and Nordstrom. Apple will almost certainly get a cut of any sales made using the mobile payment system, while Nordstrom and other participating retailers could see a boost from iPhone users making purchases using their phones.

The rumors come after Amazon announced that it’s moving into the local payments space with its own Amazon Local Register service, which offers retailers the chance to tap into the company’s payment infrastructure with the purchase of a $10 dongle.

Nordstrom and Apple did not respond to requests for comment on the Bank Innovation report.

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