Spotify partners with Starbucks to hand the music controls to thirsty punters

Spotify has teamed with Starbucks to give customers the control of music in-store in a bid to promote the music service’s premium subscription package.

The partnership ties Starbucks loyalty programme with Spotify’s music catalogue, letting those signed up to My Starbucks Rewards play DJ – influencing what songs play on the in-store playlists.

Howard Schultz, chairman and ceo of Starbucks commented: “For over forty years, music has played a vital role in Starbucks Third Place experience – inspiring our partners and customers in unexpected ways that have helped to shape the global pop culture.  And we are delighted and honored to bring Spotify directly to our customers.

“Throughout its history, Starbucks has worked closely with the music industry, offering a variety of artists a platform for their work. By connecting Spotify’s world-class streaming platform into our world-class store and digital ecosystem, we are reinventing the way our millions of global customers discover music.”

Around 150,000 US Starbucks employees will receive a Spotify Premium membership this autumn, before rolling out to customers shortly thereafter, to get the project moving.

The music tie-up will be available to UK customers by the end of the year.

The move is the latest in a round of partnerships announced by Spotify, from Uber to BMW, as competition in the music streaming industry heats up.