Starbucks Thailand launches concept stores

American coffee chain Starbucks is testing two new retail concepts in Thailand – drive-through coffee and a broader food offer.

Starbucks has opened a drive-through concept outlet at Porto Chino on Rama II Rd in Bangkok. It’s part of a 434 sqm, two-storey building and the first drive-though Starbucks outlet in Thailand.

Starbucks has also opened another concept store at Exchange Tower at the Asok intersection, offering a wider choice of food. The 110 sqm outlet offers pastas, pies, salads and soups, along with the traditional offer of coffees and baked products.

With the new concept stores, Starbucks hopes to draw more customers in the increasingly crowded Thai coffee market. Despite the competition, Starbucks continues to grow, with sales year-to-date up by about 20 per cent, and ahead of projections according to Starbucks Thailand MD Murray Darling.

This year, 10-15 new outlets are planned for Thailand, taking the total to 154 by the year-end.

Meanwhile, Starbucks has teamed up with mobile payment company Square to process all the US credit and debit card transactions. Aside from the existing iPhone and Android Starbucks mobile payment applications, Starbucks customers will be able to use Pay with Square to pay for their purchases at participating company operated locations in the US.

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