Starbucks Expands Into Indonesia With Mobile App

Starbucks is expanding its mobile app into other countries, announcing last week the launch of its mobile app in Indonesia.

In a press release, the coffee chain operator announced customers in Indonesia can now pay via the mobile app in more than 260 stores in the country.

With the app, customers can pay in-store by scanning the barcode linked to their Starbucks card. Customers have to register a Starbucks card in order for it to work, and multiple cards can be registered, said Starbucks. In addition to enabling mobile payments, the app has information about Starbucks products, including a menu that can be browsed and a store locator. Starbucks is even throwing in a free frappuccino when customers use the mobile app through November.

“We are pleased to introduce the Starbucks Indonesia Mobile App to our customers, offering a fast and convenient way to pay for purchases, earn Stars and much more,” said Roger van Tongeren, vice president of marketing and operations for Starbucks Indonesia, in the press release. “This is the latest Starbucks innovation which aims to provide an enhanced experience and meet customers’ needs in the digital space, while continuing to provide an exceptional experience in our stores.”

It’s not surprising that Starbucks is expanding the countries in which its mobile app is accepted. After all, quarter after quarter, Starbucks’ earnings remind everyone why CEO Howard Schultz can, time and time again, call his coffee company the “undisputed leader in mobile commerce.” He confirmed that assertion during the company’s first quarter earnings call with analysts when he revealed that 21 percent of Starbucks transactions are done on mobile — that is, either in-store at the point of sale (via the app) or using Starbucks’ app (with Mobile Order & Pay). During the month of December, that figure was up to 22 percent. And during peak hours? Mobile Order & Pay accounts for 10 percent of all orders, Schultz said.