Starbucks' new store concept: Pick-up only

Starbucks’ new store(stôr) concept(ˈkänˌsept): Pick-up only

By Jordan(ˈjôrdən) Valinsky

Starbucks has begun construction(kənˈstrəkSHən) on a new location dedicated(ˈdedəˌkādəd) exclusively(ikˈsklo͞osəvlē) to mobile orders.

The new store format(ˈfôrˌmat) is called “Starbucks Pick-Up,” only accepting orders from the Starbucks app. The first-of-its-kind location in the United States will be located(lōˈkāt,ˈlōˌkāt) near Penn(pen) Station in New York City. Starbucks hasn’t announced an opening date.

The location is based off “Starbucks Now,” a similar store format that only exists in China. At Starbucks Now stores, customers order ahead and pick up their drinks in a store that’s smaller than a typical(ˈtipikəl) cafe(kaˈfā,kə-). The concept is similar to Luckin Coffee(ˈkäfē,ˈkôfē) (LK), a rapidly(ˈrapədlē) growing regional(ˈrējnəl,ˈrējənl) rival(ˈrīvəl) that only accepts payments and orders through(THro͞o) its app.

The Pick-Up store in New York City is part of Starbucks plans to modernize(ˈmädərˌnīz) its business with a greater emphasis(ˈemfəsəs) on digital(ˈdijidl).
Starbucks has also said it wants to expand its “third place” idea: Starbucks has long said it is another place for customers to congregate(ˈkäNGɡrəˌɡāt), in addition to work and home. But as people continue to change their purchasing(ˈpərCHəs) habits, Starbucks said it is looking for ways to adapt(əˈdapt) its strategy. The smaller-format store is a further(ˈfərT͟Hər) evolution of the idea. The company has previously(ˈprēvēəslē) said it wants to bring “convenience, comfort(ˈkəmfərt) and connection” to its customers.

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https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/19/business/starbucks-pickup-location-new-york/index.html