An experiment in making shopping and buying coffee more convenient is taking place in New York City.
second Starbucks (SBUX) – Get the Starbucks Corporation Report Pick up with Amazon Go (AMZN) – Get Amazon.com Inc. Report Opening Tuesday, July 12 at the New York Times Building in Midtown, New York City.
The store is a combination of Starbucks Pickup and Amazon Go. The pickup feature allows customers to order ahead in the Starbucks app and pick up from the in-store counter. Amazon Go Just Walk Out technology allows customers to scan items as they are placed in their cart or basket, so they can walk out of the store after paying without having to check out with a cashier.
The store also has a modern lounge with tables with USB ports and power sockets. The store has an equally complete Starbucks menu, including cafe-style items like croissants and sandwiches. The adjacent Amazon Go Marketplace offers a variety of food options such as beverages, prepared salads and sandwiches, and snacks.
“The new store integrates digital and physical retail experiences, combining the connectivity and comfort of a Starbucks coffee shop with the convenience of Amazon Go’s Just Walk Out shopping experience,” Starbucks said.
Seeking hassle-free convenience
These stores are designed to bring comfort and utility to busy customers or those who want a place to relax without interacting with others or the cashier.
scroll to continue
To enter the Amazon Go marketplace, customers can use an “in-store code” in the Amazon app, Amazon One, or a credit card. Then, they put items into a virtual shopping cart and shop on the Amazon Go marketplace. When customers are done shopping, they can enjoy Starbucks drinks or fresh items from the Amazon Go marketplace. Customers are charged once they leave the store.
Starbucks has long focused on making its stores more convenient and time-saving for customers. They pioneered mobile ordering and opened pickup-only stores starting in 2017. In this case, customers can only place an order through the app and pick it up in person. Drive-thru is available in many places, making it easier to get to Starbucks from your car. Some of its locations are cashless, designed to test the popularity of mobile ordering.
Competitors copied Starbucks’ innovative approach for convenience and ease.Dunkin’ Donuts (DNKN) – Get Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. Report Keep track of Starbucks menu items and add snacks or similar sandwiches. It also started using mobile ordering and delivery services to compete with Starbucks.
Planning to open a new store
Starbucks and Amazon didn’t say how well their first joint location was doing. The first store opens in mid-November 2021 between Park and Lexington, New York City.
There are now plans to open a third Starbucks Pickup and Go store. The location and opening date of the new stores have not been revealed as they are in the planning stages.
Not everyone is open to the idea of cashless, cashierless grocery stores and cafes, but there’s no denying that Starbucks and Amazon have always been the first to test the future of tech. At least by using the app Starbucks won’t misspell your name!
