Starbucks, Amazon Go launches first cashier-less coffee shop in New York

Starbucks and Amazon Go finally opened their cashier-less concept store in New York City. This is the first coffee shop to be launched under their new collaboration deal.

The first Starbucks Pickup with Amazon Go was unveiled on Thursday, Nov. 18, in NYC and located on 59th Street near Park and Lexington Avenues. It was reported that the companies are planning to add to more locations next year, and the second cashier-less cafe outlet will rise in central Manhattan, near the New York Times Building at 40th Street and 8th Avenue.

According to CNBC, the collaboration with Amazon is Starbucks’ latest move to achieve its goal of adapting to customers’ new buying habits. Things are done quickly these days, and most prefer the contact-less method of payments, so the coffee retail chain is changing to give the best service to the consumers.

Starbucks previously announced it was stepping up its plans to improve its U.S. footprint, and this was triggered by the abrupt changes in how customers want to buy their drinks. Apparently, the quick change happened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, as the company implements its plans, it shut down as many as 400 stores within a year and a half. As part of the strategy, the stores will be replaced with pickup locations, and walk-up windows will be installed in addition to double drive-thru lanes in the suburb.

At any rate, with its partnership with Amazon Go, Starbucks Pickup will offer the latter’s “Just Walk Out” technology when checking out. This means that customers just need to pick up their orders, place their palms over the Amazon One palm-scanning system and leave. There is no need to line up at the check out thus, a lot of time is saved.

“The new Starbucks Pickup with Amazon Go is designed to provide our customers with an experience that delivers convenience and connection in an effortless way,” Starbucks senior vice president of global growth and development, Katie Young, said in a blog post.

She added, “Our goal with this new store concept is to give our customers the ability to choose which experience is right for them as they go through their day, whether it is utilizing the Starbucks and Amazon apps to purchase food and beverages on the go, or deciding to stay in the lounge for the traditional third-place experience Starbucks is known for.”