Historical background
Starbucks has been around for more than 45 years, and it has been providing free coffee on someone’s birthday for nearly as long. The offer was first introduced in the early 1980s and was a limited time offer that allowed customers to purchase a 12-pack of Starbucks branded cups and receive a free tall hot or iced coffee. Over the years, Starbucks has evolved their offer from time to time and it is still widely available.
Requirements
In order to receive a free birthday coffee, all customers need to do is register and create an account with Starbucks. Once they do that, they are able to redeem the offer via their app or online ordering portal. There are no additional requirements beyond that.
Benefits
The biggest benefit of getting a free coffee on your birthday is that it allows customers to treat themselves to something they might normally be unable to afford. Starbucks coffee can be expensive, so getting a free coffee is a great way to make the most of your special day.
Limitations
The offer does come with some limitations, however. Customers are only able to redeem the offer once per year, so if you already have a Starbucks account, you may need to wait 12 months before you can take advantage of the offer again. The offer is also only valid for a “birthday coffee” and does not apply to any other purchase.
Expert perspective
“Starbucks’ free birthday coffee offer is a great way for customers to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to themselves,” says food market analyst, Elizabeth Miller. “Since coffee is an expensive purchase, customers can really feel the value of this offer and get something special for themselves that they wouldn’t necessarily buy on their own. It is also a great marketing tactic for Starbucks as it encourages customers to transition from being occasional customers to frequent customers.”
My insights
I personally love Starbucks’ birthday offer, as I am a self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast. I think it is a great way to reward loyal customers and make them feel appreciated. Additionally, the fact that customers can only redeem the offer once a year encourages them to visit Starbucks more often in order to take full advantage of the offer.
Alternative offers
Starbucks also offers customers an alternative offer to the free birthday coffee, which includes a free beverage of any size. This offer is more flexible, as customers can choose any beverage they like, however it does not provide the same value, as it does not include any food items.
Loyalty programs
Starbucks also has a rewards program which offers loyal customers exclusive discounts and rewards. Anyone who signs up for the program can earn points for every purchase they make and they can redeem those points for discounts or free drinks. This allows customers to save money on their purchases and ultimately get more value out of their purchases.
Criticism
Critics of Starbucks’ free birthday offer have argued that it is misleading, as customers need to sign up for an account and commit to regular purchases in order to take full advantage of the offer. Additionally, some have criticized the limited nature of the offer, arguing that it should be available to a wider range of customers, not just those who are willing to commit to the loyalty program.
Sustainability
Starbucks is one of the few large coffee chains that is taking sustainability into consideration when sourcing their coffee. They have committed to sourcing 100% of their coffee from farms that are Rainforest Alliance Certified, which means that they are taking measures to protect the environment and local communities.
Consumer concerns
In recent years, many consumers have expressed concerns about the ingredients used in Starbucks’ beverages. Many of their drinks are high in sugar and calories and can have a negative effect on health if consumed in excess. Additionally, many of their products contain artificial ingredients which can cause adverse health effects.
Fair trade coffee
Starbucks has come under fire in the past for their lack of fair trade or ethically sourced coffee, however they have made an effort to source an increasing amount of their coffee from fair trade suppliers. Their commitment to this has grown over the years and they have taken steps to make sure that their coffee is sourced from farms that maintain high standards for labour and environmental practices.
Environmental impact
In addition to sourcing coffee from ethical farms, Starbucks is also taking measures to reduce their environmental impact. They have committed to using recyclable cups and minimizing the amount of paper and plastic used in packaging their products. Additionally they are investing in renewable energy sources to power their stores and reduce their carbon emissions.
