PayPal extending to 2,000 HD stores

The PayPal pilot at Home Depot stores is rapidly expanding, going from 51 test locations in the San Francisco Bay Area this week to all 2,000 Home Depot stores by the end of March, according to Bloomberg News.

PayPal director of communications Anuj Nayar told Bloomberg the digital commerce company will extend the trial to 20 additional retail partners by the end of 2012.

On Jan. 18, eBay CEO John Donahoe, parent company of PayPal, announced plans to widen the pilot from five to 51 stores by end of the month. PayPal has also begun testing its online payment service -- which requires only a mobile phone number and a PIN -- with Office Depot.