Starbucks has announced that coffee shops will offer a new service to its customers. Along with a variety of music compilations for sale and wireless Internet access, Starbucks customers will have the opportunity to burn their own music CDs while waiting for their coffee.
The company launched the service in Santa Monica, California, in a former music store for their recently purchased music retailer “Hear Music” on March 17. Starbucks plans on introducing the music service to 10 of its coffeeshops in its home city of Seattle, as well as 2500 stores around the country over the next two years, according to Reuters.
In a press statement, the company called its new service “revolutionary,” and that it “makes it easier for customers to discover, acquire and enjoy music.”
Starbucks also said that this service, along with the other groundbreaking features that they offer, will take the coffee house experience even further.
“Innovations like our exclusive music compilations, the Starbucks Card and placing Wi-Fi access in Starbucks stores have transformed the way that millions of our customers enjoy their coffee house experience,” said Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz in a press statement. “As a result, Starbucks is well-positioned to deliver this unparalleled music service.”
Consumers will be able to choose from an extensive digital music collection and record a five-song CD for $6.99. Computers and CD recording technology will be provided by Hewlett-Packard.
Becky Fisher, a psychology junior, is a cashier at the Starbucks on College Drive. Given the fact the College Drive Starbucks is a hotspot for college students, she believes that it would be more of an incentive for the corporation to install the service in that store.
While it will extend new opportunities of enjoyment to Starbucks-goers, Fisher is not convinced that it will reach its anticipated popularity.
“It’s a cool idea,” Fisher said. “But I don’t think people would put their money into it when they can download [music] for free at home.”
On the other hand, students and regulars of the College Drive Starbucks were in favor of the new service.
“I would use it,” said Katie Brillhart, a biological science junior and a frequent Starbucks customer. “I study here all the time, it would be convenient.”
“I would probably use [the service], I don’t really download music at home,” said Ashley Cannatella, a mass communication junior, in response to the thought of burning CDs at home for free.
There are three different Starbucks coffee shops in Baton Rouge, and the company has not yet released whether the music service will be coming to the area.