Subject category:
Knowledge, Information and Communication Systems Management
Published by:
IBS Center for Management Research
Length: 17 pages
Data source: Published sources
Topics:
Starbucks; Digital initiatives; Starbucks rewards program; Mobile order & pay; Digital flywheel; Deep Brew; My Starbucks Idea; Starbucks digital network; Digital order manager; Digital-ecosystem; Machine learning; Operational efficiency; Customer service; COVID-19; Starbucks production controller
Abstract
This case discusses the digital transformation initiatives at American multinational coffee giant Starbucks Corporation (Starbucks). The company offered a loyalty program known as the Starbucks Rewards program wherein customers registering for the program received a card to pay for their purchases at the stores. For every purchase, users earned stars, which they could later redeem for a free drink. This was followed by Starbucks launching its mobile app, which allowed the consumers to pay for their purchases using their smartphones at Starbucks stores. To enable consumers to pre-order and pay though their phones and pick up their items at Starbucks stores, Starbucks launched the Mobile Order & Pay feature, thus saving its consumers time. In 2017, the coffee giant integrated its rewards program, mobile order, payment, and personalization as part of its Digital Flywheel strategy that collected the order history of the consumers to make personalized recommendations to consumers through its smartphone app. Taking its digital initiatives forward, in 2017, Starbucks in association with American multinational technology giant Microsoft Corporation, launched Deep Brew, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) engine that offered customizable menu boards to drive-thru consumers wherein the engine suggested items based on the purchase history of consumers, time of day, weather, community preferences, popularity, store inventory, etc. In addition to this, Deep Brew automated time-consuming tasks such as management of inventory and did preventive maintenance of the company's espresso machines connected through Internet of Things (IoT). Analysts appreciated Starbucks for implementing several digital initiatives as part of its company philosophy and said these initiatives had helped it improve its sales and operational efficiency, enhance customer service, etc. Some critics pointed out that though the company's digital initiatives helped it survive the pandemic in its US stores and other global markets, Starbucks was facing declining sales in China - the company's second largest market after the US, due to COVID-19 related restrictions, Starbucks was facing increasing competition from Canadian coffee and doughnut chain Tims China, which was aggressively expanding in the country by opening its 300th store in October 2021, and local Chinese coffee chain Luckin Coffee Inc. Industry analysts believed that Starbucks could cash in on the trend of work-from-home in China attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, and increase its sales. Starbucks President and CEO Kevin Johnson remained optimistic about the growth of Starbucks in the US, China, and other global markets due to the company's digital-ecosystem and robust innovation pipeline, which would be rolled out in the coming months, thereby further enhancing the experience of consumers with Starbucks while increasing its sales and efficiency.
Time period
The events covered by this case took place in 2008-2021.Geographical setting
Region:
Americas
Country:
United States
Featured company
Starbucks Corporation
Employees:
10000+
Type:
Public company
Industry:
Food & beverage
About
Abstract
This case discusses the digital transformation initiatives at American multinational coffee giant Starbucks Corporation (Starbucks). The company offered a loyalty program known as the Starbucks Rewards program wherein customers registering for the program received a card to pay for their purchases at the stores. For every purchase, users earned stars, which they could later redeem for a free drink. This was followed by Starbucks launching its mobile app, which allowed the consumers to pay for their purchases using their smartphones at Starbucks stores. To enable consumers to pre-order and pay though their phones and pick up their items at Starbucks stores, Starbucks launched the Mobile Order & Pay feature, thus saving its consumers time. In 2017, the coffee giant integrated its rewards program, mobile order, payment, and personalization as part of its Digital Flywheel strategy that collected the order history of the consumers to make personalized recommendations to consumers through its smartphone app. Taking its digital initiatives forward, in 2017, Starbucks in association with American multinational technology giant Microsoft Corporation, launched Deep Brew, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) engine that offered customizable menu boards to drive-thru consumers wherein the engine suggested items based on the purchase history of consumers, time of day, weather, community preferences, popularity, store inventory, etc. In addition to this, Deep Brew automated time-consuming tasks such as management of inventory and did preventive maintenance of the company's espresso machines connected through Internet of Things (IoT). Analysts appreciated Starbucks for implementing several digital initiatives as part of its company philosophy and said these initiatives had helped it improve its sales and operational efficiency, enhance customer service, etc. Some critics pointed out that though the company's digital initiatives helped it survive the pandemic in its US stores and other global markets, Starbucks was facing declining sales in China - the company's second largest market after the US, due to COVID-19 related restrictions, Starbucks was facing increasing competition from Canadian coffee and doughnut chain Tims China, which was aggressively expanding in the country by opening its 300th store in October 2021, and local Chinese coffee chain Luckin Coffee Inc. Industry analysts believed that Starbucks could cash in on the trend of work-from-home in China attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, and increase its sales. Starbucks President and CEO Kevin Johnson remained optimistic about the growth of Starbucks in the US, China, and other global markets due to the company's digital-ecosystem and robust innovation pipeline, which would be rolled out in the coming months, thereby further enhancing the experience of consumers with Starbucks while increasing its sales and efficiency.
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Time period
The events covered by this case took place in 2008-2021.Geographical setting
Region:
Americas
Country:
United States
Featured company
Starbucks Corporation
Employees:
10000+
Type:
Public company
Industry:
Food & beverage