Email platform Microsoft Outlook has recently partnered with coffee chain Starbucks to allow consumers to electronically send Starbucks gift cards to one another and set up meetings at a nearby location. The extension taps into Starbucks locations often being used as meet up spaces by allowing consumers the advantage of setting up the meeting at one of the locations and sending over money to cover the costs.
The collaboration embeds a Starbucks add-on feature directly into the Microsoft Outlook interface -- which many consumers use for electronic work communication. The feature is located in a button on the right hand corner and allows consumers to select the 'Let's Meet at Starbucks' feature to share what location to connect at as well as send along a gift card for beverage and snack purchases.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Electronic Gift Card Connection
- The integration of digital gift cards into communication platforms presents an opportunity to streamline gift-giving while also encouraging consumer purchases.
- Meeting Spot Extension
- Opportunities abound for businesses to explore ways in which their physical locations can be utilized for events and meetings, potentially generating new sources of revenue.
- Brand Collaboration Innovation
- Partnering with other companies, especially those with complementary services, can foster innovation and lead to novel product offerings.
Where This Applies
- Food and Beverage
- Food and beverage companies can explore ways to integrate digital gift cards and event planning into their services to appeal to busy consumers.
- Technology
- Technology companies that specialize in communication platforms and productivity tools could benefit from integrating gift-giving and meeting scheduling options into their products.
- Retail
- Retailers could take inspiration from this integration to incorporate digital gift cards and event booking features into their own products to enhance in-store experiences.
