Retail alliance to create mobile pay app

A bevy of big-name retailers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Best-Buy Co. and Target Corp., are teaming up to create a company that will give customers another way to make purchases with their mobile devices.

The businesses said Wednesday that the new company, Merchant Customer Exchange, is developing a mobile application that will be available for nearly any smartphone. The app is expected to integrate a variety of consumer offers, promotions and retail programs.

The new system takes aim at Google's Wallet payment app and other efforts aimed at moving payment cards from wallets to smartphones.

Other retailers included in Merchant Customer Exchange are 7-Eleven, Alon Brands, CVS / pharmacy, Darden Restaurants, HMSHost, Hy-Vee, Lowe's Cos., Publix Super Markets, Sears, Shell Oil, and Sunoco.

The initial retailers that are part of the new company account for about $1 trillion in annual sales. More retailers are expected to be announced as new members in the coming months, the group said.