Customer Experience
Starbucks’ New Store Concept: Pick-Up Only
The QSR brand is launching stores that take mobile orders exclusively. “The new store format is called ‘Starbucks Pick-Up,’ only accepting orders from the Starbucks app. The first-of-its-kind location in the United States will be located near Penn Station in New York City. Starbucks hasn’t announced an opening date.”
The Next Chapter in the Toys R Us Story? Interactive Play Spaces
Tru Kids Brands, the parent company behind the revived Toys R Us brand, has announced that it will launch play spaces where children can try new toys. “The play spaces won’t be stores—although each location will have a small gift shop—but toy manufacturers will have sponsorship opportunities to showcase their products. Parents and kids will be charged admission—$28 for adults, $20 for children 4-12—to enter.”
Now You Can Pay Amazon in Cash
The e-commerce giant “is bringing its PayCode service to US customers, which allows them to pay for online orders with cash through money transfer service Western Union. Previously available in 19 other countries, Amazon customers in the US will soon be able to select the PayCode option at checkout, too. Shoppers receive a QR code and a number, which they reference at Western Union to pay.”
One in Every 20 Adults in the United Kingdom Now Banks with Monzo
The bank is signing up 55,000 new customers each week. “While incumbents take comfort in the fact that the vast majority of Monzo customers have yet to start banking their salaries with the challenger just yet, Monzo’s slick interface and range of customer-friendly features—including budgeting and savings tools and fee-free spending abroad—is clearly winning over smartphone users.”
Corporate Social Responsibility
Unilever Is Using 100 Percent Renewable Electricity on 5 Continents
The company now uses only renewable electricity. “With this news, Unilever has beat its goal of reaching this point of using 100 percent renewable energy by 2020, and it aims to be a completely carbon-neutral company by 2030—a spokesperson for the company calls this current milestone a ‘significant step’ towards that latter goal.”