Starbucks Card Mobile: Three Million Customers And Counting
March 24, 2011
Starbucks announced that three million customers have already used its Card Mobile app to make purchases since the program went nationwide in January. This news was announced by chairman and CEO Howard Schultz at the Starbucks Annual Meeting of Shareholders at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, and was first reported by Mashable.
After a successful test at select stores and Target outlets, Starbucks expanded its mobile payment system to all of its 6,800 company-owned stores two months ago. Using the free app, users can easily pay for their purchases with a simple swipe of their iPhone.
As we reported at the time, the process works like this:
You must first purchase a Starbucks card. Each card includes a number similar to what you would find on a credit card. Enter this number into the Starbucks app. This creates a barcode image. On your next visit to Starbucks, simply show the cashier your iPhone. They will swipe the barcode and your purchase is completed.
Since the app allows you to add to your card balance, you never again have to purchase another Starbucks card. Adding to your balance can be done online at Starbucks.com or directly using the app. To do this, you need to establish a connection between your Starbucks card and a credit or debit card.
I’m one of the 3 million customers that are hooked. Not only is the process quick and seamless, but also, it seems to attract a lot of attention. And it might be selling a few iPhones in the process.
Recently, as I went to purchase a morning macchiato, two elderly women approached and asked me what I was doing. After I explained it, one of them showed me what appeared to be a two-to-three year old Nokia phone and wondered if she could use it to make a purchase.
After I explained to her the app only worked on an iPhone, she promptly shook her head and said she was heading to the local AT&T store!
The free Starbucks Card Mobile app is available in the App Store.