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Starbucks mobile payment app continues to experience immense popularity

As major players bicker over their slice of the mobile payment pie, Starbucks is still doing its own thing. And the result is that Starbucks mobile payment application continues to rack up impressive results.

According to the company, since its launch in January 2011, 26 million transactions have been made through the Starbucks mobile payment application. In the first nine weeks of the program, 3 million transactions were made through the application. In the nine weeks starting in October, the applicaton accounted for 6 million transactions.

"2011 was a year of great mobile exploration and expansion for Starbucks and an opportunity to give our customers a new way to connect with Starbucks through a variety of mobile experiences," said Adam Brotman, svp and general manager for Starbucks Digital Ventures."The customer response to our mobile apps has been phenomenal. Not only are they using their phone as a wallet, but as a connection point to Starbucks as they manage their Starbucks Card accounts, send eGifts and get into the holiday spirit with the Starbucks Cup Magic app."

Some of the other stats Starbucks reported about its mobile payment program are equally eye-popping. For instance, $110.5 million has been reloaded onto Starbucks Cards through the mobile applications this year. That's about 5 percent of the $2.4 billion loaded onto Starbucks Cards.

The Starbucks mobile payment program was launched nationwide to nearly 7,000 U.S. company-operated stores and more than 1,000 Target stores in January. Nearly 1,000 Safeway store locations were added in June. Just last month, the mobile payment application was made live in Canada, and customers in Ireland and the United Kingdom will have access to it starting in January, 2012.

Along with paying for purchases at the point of sale, the application allows users to find Starbucks locations and manage their My Starbucks Rewards status. Additionally, customers can use the application to send Starbucks Card eGifts as well.

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