Google merges Checkout and Wallet payment platforms

Google is to merge its Checkout retail payment platform with Google Wallet as the Christmas buying season looms.

The company will integrate the systems under the Google Wallet banner, and will push the payment system through its other retail operations.

Ben Lee, Google Wallet product manager, reassured merchants using the Checkout platform that they will not need to take any action at their end as the services are integrated.

"We are committed to upgrading our payment solutions for merchants while ensuring they're able to process payments without interruption during the holidays, so shoppers using Google Wallet will be able to make purchases seamlessly on merchant sites that accept Google Checkout," Lee explained in a blog post.

"Early next year, we will work closely with our merchant partners to switch to the Google Wallet logo and share details on new and upcoming features."

Google Checkout was launched in 2006 as a way of purchasing goods online without disclosing credit card details to individual merchant sites.

Google Wallet, meanwhile, uses near field communication technology in smartphones to securely transfer funds to retailers.

High street and online retailers are gearing up for the most important few weeks of the calendar. So-called 'Black Friday' comes on the day after Thanksgiving, and is traditionally when merchants hope to move from the 'red' into the 'black'.

Online merchants have their own unofficial big spending day three days later with 'Cyber Monday'.