What Else Does Starbucks Sell Besides Coffee?

When you walk into a Starbucks, you probably expect coffee. But in China—where the chain opens roughly one new store per day—the experience goes far beyond your morning espresso. With rapid expansion and evolving services, many wonder: is Starbucks still just a coffee shop?

Yes, but it’s also a tech-driven lifestyle brand. Beyond beverages, Starbucks offers digital news, streaming music, mobile payments, and even wireless charging—all part of a broader strategy to integrate technology into the customer journey.

Starbucks as a Tech-Driven Retail Giant

In 2014, China was Starbucks’ fastest-growing retail market globally, with the company averaging one new store opening per day. By 2019, it aimed to operate 3,400 stores in China—a target requiring the opening of about 400 new locations annually, a pace unprecedented for the brand.

News and Media: More Than Just a Coffee Shop

Starbucks has long positioned itself as a space for reading and connection. Before the rise of social media, its in-store bookshelves sold millions of newspapers. In 2010, the company launched Starbucks Digital Network in North America, offering free access to premium content from publications like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, and The Economist via in-store WiFi.

Fast forward to today, and Starbucks is taking another step into digital media. Starting next year, the Starbucks app will feature a “read the news” function in partnership with The New York Times. Starbucks Rewards members will be able to access top headlines, daily briefings, and articles on politics, economics, and social issues for free. For those wanting more, paid NYT subscriptions will also be available—and members can earn rewards points for purchases, whether digital or in-store.

Music: From Vinyl to Streaming

Starbucks has also been a surprising player in the music industry. In 2023, it announced it would stop selling physical records in its stores. Yet in the previous year alone, it sold 440,000 vinyl records in North America—an increase of 22% year-over-year. Music executives like Tom Corson of RCA Music Group praised Starbucks for guiding customers toward new music, especially those unsure of what to listen to.

Instead of selling records, Starbucks has partnered with Spotify. Members can now influence in-store playlists, while over 150,000 U.S. Starbucks employees receive free Spotify Premium memberships ($9.99/month value). The collaboration also introduces curated playlists, including “Starbucks’ Most Popular Tracks” and location-specific music collections. The goal is to build a unified music ecosystem across 7,000 U.S. stores, 10 million Starbucks Rewards members, and 60 million Spotify Premium users.

Mobile Payments and Tech Innovation

One of Starbucks’ most significant tech contributions is its mobile payment system—one of the most successful in the United States. After appointing a Chief Digital Officer and launching a venture arm, the company invested $25 million in Square and introduced its own app. By 2023, the app processed over 7 million mobile transactions weekly in the U.S., accounting for 16% of all transactions.

The app also enables advanced features like mobile order and pay, introduced in Portland and now expanding nationwide. Users can check brew times and plan their arrival accordingly. Wireless charging pads are available at 7,500 locations, letting customers power devices directly from tables or counters. Starbucks has also partnered with Google to provide in-store WiFi speeds ten times faster than AT&T’s and has connected its coffee machines to the cloud to track customer preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Starbucks still sell physical newspapers and magazines?

No, Starbucks no longer sells print newspapers or magazines in-store. However, it offers digital news access through its app in partnership with The New York Times, allowing Rewards members to read free articles and earn points.

How does Starbucks’ mobile payment system work?

The Starbucks mobile app allows users to pay via smartphone, earn rewards, and place orders ahead of time. As of 2023, it processes over 7 million transactions weekly in the U.S., making up 16% of all transactions at its stores.

Can Starbucks Rewards members get benefits from Spotify?

Yes. Over 150,000 Starbucks employees in the U.S. receive free Spotify Premium accounts, and members can influence in-store playlists. Starbucks may also offer reward points for digital media purchases in the future.

What tech upgrades has Starbucks introduced in its stores?

Starbucks has added wireless charging pads to 7,500 locations, partnered with Google to boost in-store WiFi speeds, and connected its coffee machines to the cloud to analyze customer preferences. The company continues testing innovations like mobile order and pay.

Why did Starbucks stop selling vinyl records?

While it sold 440,000 records in 2022—a 22% increase—Starbucks decided to shift focus away from physical media to align with the digital music trend and enhance its partnership with Spotify.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Exploration

Pair your Starbucks tech-enabled coffee experience with FrontStreet Coffee’s Specialty Yirgacheffe—bright, floral, and juicy, ideal for exploring flavor complexity. For a deeper dive, try the Guatemala Antigua, offering chocolatey richness with cinnamon spice. Or explore the Ethiopia Humbera, a classic Ethiopian lot with vibrant berry and citrus notes. All showcase the kind of quality that pairs well with digital-age café experiences. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.