Starbucks launches virtual barrista, forges a payment partnership with China's WeChat

Believe it, Starbucks will soon launch its chatbot.

 Calling it "My Starbucks Barrista," this chat-based application allows customers to place orders using text messages, or when hands are full, voice command. This virtual barrista will come to iOS device first in beta version from early 2017. I was disappointed that Starbucks did not give its chatbot a more human-like name, like "Jane" for male customers or "Zack" for female customers. Then I realized that this chatbot will go global someday. Starbucks perhaps tries to be cultural neutral instead of creating a bunch of names to be culturally acceptable.

 Speaking of localization, Starbucks now has a partnership with China's WeChat. WeChat users can now gift Starbucks coffee to friends, or pay for latte using WeChat Pay at store. I look forward to receiving a "red packet" someday with Starbucks coffee as an option--pure money is so boring.

 Of course, Starbucks has boring statistics to offer. It now has 8 million mobile paying customers, one third of whom using the Mobile Order & Pay feature that completely skips the cashier step in ordering. Great--truly a "grab and go" experience. by the way, it now has 2,500 stores in China, and adding one store a day there.

 Behind these eye-popping numbers is truly a brand that leverages mobile technology to improve customer experience. Virtual Barrista can be a great experience for frictionless transaction.


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