In 2008, Starbucks was on the verge of collapse. More than 600 stores were closed down. Everyone thought they would go bankrupt.

Now they earn over 36 billion a year.

Here's the genius move that saved Starbucks:

After the financial crisis of 2007/08, Starbucks was in trouble.

Sales were down and the brand needed to reconnect with customers.

They knew they needed to prove their commitment to quality and consistency.

So they turned to technology.

On December 26, 2009, Starbucks launched something that would change everything : o Starbucks Rewards app.

It wasn't about points. They were building a community and making loyalty fun.

For every dollar spent, customers earned "Stars."

But the app brought more than just points.

It introduced tiered rewards so customers could move up the ranks.

Here's how it worked:

Green Level: Free in-store refills and birthday treats

Gold Status: Exclusive rewards, monthly gifts.

It was like a game. Collect stars, unlock rewards, and keep coming back for more.

But Starbucks didn't stop there. They made the app practical.

With features like:

– Ask in advance to skip the line

– Seamless payments so you can grab your coffee and go

– Personalized offers, birthday treats and exclusive discounts tailored just for you

It was a loyalty program... but with a twist.

They even launched frequent challenges and limited-time offers that kept users hooked.

This simple strategy turned shopping into a mini-game

Suddenly, millions of people were excited about going to the coffee shop every day.

As of 2021, Starbucks has the largest mobile payments user base in the US, with a whopping 31 million active users.

These loyal customers accounted for 60% of Starbucks' revenue. More than half of its sales.

Starbucks now has over 38,000 stores in over 80 countries. And they serve over 100 million customers every week worldwide.

Their rewards program? Widely considered one of the most successful in the retail industry.

What made Starbucks' turnaround decisive?

They stopped selling coffee and started offering an experience that made people feel part of something bigger.

This success story shows how technology and adapting to consumer preferences..