Starbucks Stays Ahead with Mobile Payments

Supermarkets too could think about a rewards and loyalty card system that utilizes mobile payments.

Starbucks’ is continuing to make changes and advancements with its mobile payment technology. The company is now integrating Apple Pay into its popular mobile application allowing quick reloading of their loyalty cards, and sending more money into its app.

To be clear, coffee lovers still can’t buy their cappuccino with Apple Pay, but by putting Apple Pay into the latest Starbucks app, users can add funds to their Starbucks card without having to enter payment information or passwords. The update means 13 million app users can reload their Starbucks  accounts using Apple’s Touch ID feature, versus having to enter a credit card.

There seems no doubt that Starbucks is leading the pack in mobile payments,  and while other brick and mortar stores dabble in the idea of the mobile payment system they could learn some things from Starbucks. How have Starbucks moved into this world so seamlessly?  Primarily, because they have put mobile payments at the center of their loyalty and rewards system.

Noted in their financial quarter report ending December 28th, Starbucks had over 13 million mobile app users in the United States. And the company averages more than 7 million mobile transactions in its stores each week.

Supermarkets too could think about a rewards and loyalty card system that utilizes mobile payments. By combining convenience with rewards Starbucks is showing other retailers how to appeal to the modern consumer.