Starbucks, the U.S. based coffeehouse chain, has introduced mobile payments in its stores across the country. Users of BlackBerrys, iPhones and iPod Touches can now buy their coffee at any of the Starbucks store in U.S. through the devices.
What the owners of these gadgets need to do is download the Starbucks Card app, which is available for free, and hold their phones in front of the scanner in the cash register counters in the Starbucks store.
The app is linked to your Starbucks Card account, and displays a barcode that is unique to your account. Your digital wallet becomes magically lighter as the appropriate amount is deducted from your Starbucks account. The account can be refilled with credit cards or PayPal funds
The same app allows you to manage your Starbucks Card account, check your card balance, reload your card with any major credit card as well as keep tabs on your My Starbucks Rewards status. Thirsting for a tall mocha? That’s a snap, as this app will also help you locate a nearby Starbucks store with the store locator feature
Starbucks has 6,800 stores in U.S. and 1,000 more in the Target stores. The mobile payment system is applicable all across these stores, making this system of payment a nation-wide scale for the first time.
With a large customer base, the majority of them being smartphone users, Starbucks is trying to build brand loyalty among its customers through this step. Brady Brewer, Vice President, Starbucks said, “We’re providing them with the fastest way to pay. Giving you a little more time to enjoy your coffee or making your life a little easier. And with our free apps, we’ve managed to do just that.”