Starbucks launches smartphone app in Brazil

Starbucks Brazil has launched its mobile app, allowing customers to pay for in-store purchases with their smartphones. Brazil is Starbucks first market in South America to enable mobile payment, following trials in the United States, Canada and UK.  The app allows customers to pay for coffee, manage their Starbucks Card account – check their card balance and reload their card – plus use a locator feature to find a Starbucks store. “A growing segment of our customers here in Brazil are using smartphones, and we’re always thinking of new ways to add value and give them more reasons to choose Starbucks,” said Bianca Bader, Marketing Manager for Starbucks Brazil.  “After great success in other markets around the world, we’re very pleased to be launching our app in Brazil.” Starbucks opened its first store in Brazil in December 2006. Today it has more than 100 stores in São Paulo, Guarulhos, Jundiaí, Campinas, São José dos Campos, Ribeirão Preto, São José do Rio Preto, Sorocaba, ABC Paulista, Santos, Piracicaba, Niterói and Rio de Janeiro.