*By Chloe Aiello*
Amazon is stepping up its game in the fight against Apple Pay, by migrating its own digital wallet off the web and into the real world.
The e-commerce giant is recruiting brick-and-mortar merchants to accept its digital wallet, Amazon Pay, putting it in direct competition with a host of other companies vying for dominance in the burgeoning digital wallet industry, [according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.](https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-pay-accepted-here-web-giant-aims-to-put-digital-wallet-in-stores-1542796827)
Amazon ($AMZN) is reportedly targeting merchants like gas stations and restaurants ー which aren't direct competitors to the tech behemoth. The Wall Street Journal reported that the functionality of the wallet isn’t yet clear, but options for use include enabling users to scan a code on their phones, or tap their devices at check-out ー much like Apple Pay ー among other options. Shoppers can already use their Amazon accounts to check out at select Amazon-owned brick-and-mortar stores, and the company has been experimenting with incorporating Amazon Pay into Whole Foods transactions, [according to the Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/articles/are-you-ready-for-an-amazon-branded-checking-account-1520251200?mod=article_inline).
Digital wallets still aren't widely used in the U.S., and Amazon is looking to jump into the mix early. It faces competition from rivals, like PayPal ($PYPL), Visa Checkout ($V), Venmo and, of course, Apple Pay.
Amazon did not immediately respond to Cheddar's request for comment.
Southwest Airlines will pay a $35 million fine as part of a settlement over a 2022 holiday season disaster that saw the airline cancel thousands of flights and leave millions of people stranded.
Cheddar News' Need2Know is brought to you by Securitize, which helps unlock broader access to alternative investments in private businesses, funds, and other alternative assets. The private credit boom is here and the Hamilton Lane Senior Credit Opportunities Fund has tripled in assets under management in just six months from November 2022 through April this year. Visit Securitize.io to learn more.
Stocks opened slightly higher after Monday's opening bell after several weeks of gains as the year closes out.
Big Business This Week is a guided tour through the biggest market stories of the week, from winning stocks to brutal dips to the facts and forecasts generating buzz on Wall Street.
Citi told most of its employees that they could work from home at the end of the month, according to CNBC.
Chobani paid $900 million to purchase ready-to-drink coffee maker La Colombe.
Kerri Quigley, founder of The Fashion Class, spoke with Cheddar News on how to make an ugly sweater on a budget.
With Christmas only 10 days away, some kids may notice that there's a lot of spending going on this holiday season. Dr. Regine Muradian, licensed clinical psychologist, joined Cheddar News to provide tips on how to teach kids the value of gifts and money.
It appears that people are cutting back on tipping with gratuity requests spreading far beyond bars and restaurants.
New data is showing rent prices are on the decline.
