Starbucks, the world’s largest coffee chain, has opened a concept store in New York where you can enjoy coffee without a cashier using Amazon Go technology, an Amazon unmanned payment store.
On November 18, 2021, Starbucks opened a concept store in partnership with Amazon on 59th Street between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue in New York. The store is a combination of Starbucks Pickup, where pre-orders and payments are made using an app, and Amazon Go, an Amazon unmanned store.
Inside this concept store, there is a huge counter that shows that it is Starbucks, and the fact that you can get drinks here is just like a regular Starbucks store. Starbucks pickup service, which can be pre-ordered and paid for in the app, is available at this counter.
In addition, there is a gate like the ticket gates of Amazon Gocheolrum Station, so you can enter by scanning the QR code with the dedicated app. In the store, not only the full Starbucks menu is prepared, but also carefully selected food and drinks from Amazon Go are sold. There are table seats in the store, and there are outlets and USB ports.
Starbucks said that the new Starbucks using Amazon Go is designed to provide customers with an experience that can provide convenience and connectivity. It is said that the goal is to allow customers to choose their own experiences, such as a traditional third-place experience that they are proud of.
An Amazon representative also said that Amazon Go and Starbucks share the vision of providing an innovative store experience centered on customers. “We are delighted to be able to combine them to offer a handpicked selection of food and beverages sold in our two stores.”
An additional store jointly opened by Starbucks and Amazon is scheduled to open in 2022, and the next store is said to be the New York Times Building located on 8th Avenue in New York. Related information can be found here.