Exclusive Interview: Starbucks Exec on Why Mobile Payments Must Start with the Consumer

There’s a lot of buzz around Starbucks these days, and it’s not just about the coffee. Mobile payment is now available at Starbucks sites across the country, including at nearly 6,800 company-operated stores and more than 1,000 Starbucks in U.S. Target locations. It’s the largest mobile payment program in the U.S. and now the quickest payment option for Starbucks customers, according to the company.

One of the innovators behind Starbucks’ mobile solution, Chuck Davidson, talks in this exclusive NEXTcast interview about bringing the program to market and how it will transform the retail experience at the point of sale for both merchants and consumers.

Related Article: Mobile Payment Debuts Nationally at Starbucks

   


Chuck Davidson is the category manger, innovation for the Starbucks Card team. Chuck joined Starbucks in 2007, and led the innovation of the Global Starbucks Card. This was the first traveling stored value card, launching in the UK, Ireland, Hong Kong and Mexico. He is is currently responsible innovation strategy; developing and executing against an innovation pipeline for the $1.5 BB Starbucks Card program. Chuck developed and brought to market Starbucks Card Mobile from ideation to full US market launch. Starbucks Card Mobile is the largest mobile payment program in the US.

Before joining Starbucks, Chuck worked for FedEx as program manager, for advanced shipping products on the Global Automated Products team, managing shipping solutions for customers in the US, Europe and Asia. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in Economics from Allegheny College and a Masters of Business Administration from Vanderbilt University. Outside of Starbucks, Chuck likes to run, swim, cycle and ski.