Starbucks launches music platform with Spotify

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Starbucks said it has joined forces with music-streaming service Spotify to deliver a “first-of-its-kind music experience” to customers.

Staring Tuesday, Starbucks app users will be able to identify and save songs they hear in Starbucks locations, as well as access Spotify playlists curated by the chain, Starbucks said.

“Music has played a pivotal role in our stores for over 40 years and we have been at the forefront of how to integrate it into a retail environment,” Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said in a statement. “Today is the next era in that experience. We are merging the physical and digital, providing new access points for Spotify as they continue to grow globally, placing more control into our customers’ hands and giving artists the world’s largest stage for them to share their talent.”

Starbucks announced a partnership with Spotify mid-last year but did not provide many details on the “next generation music ecosystem” the pair would develop. The service will be available in 7,500 company-owned locations across the U.S., Starbucks said.

The coffee giant has been sweetening its app with a number of recent perks, including a free New York Times newsfeed for My Starbucks Rewards members. 

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