Google Starts Rolling Out Android Pay to Challenge Apple

Google Inc. is starting to roll out Android Pay this week, seeking to catch up with Apple Pay and grab a chunk of the growing market for mobile payments.

The Web company, which announced plans for the service in May, has signed up partners including Macy’s Inc., Staples Inc. and Whole Foods Market Inc., Pali Bhat, Google’s director of product management for the new feature, said in a blog post Thursday. Android Pay turns smartphones into digital wallets that store credit and debit cards, which can then be used in physical and virtual stores.