The guest parks in the reserved Drive Up parking spot and selects “I’m here” within the Target app. Credit: Michael Vi via Shutterstock.

In August 2023, Target initiated a nationwide rollout of its innovative service, ‘Drive Up with Starbucks‘, to allow patrons to combine their favourite Starbucks beverages and food with their regular Drive-Up orders.

The service is now accessible in more than 1,700 Target stores nationwide, providing a unique way to enhance the shopping experience. Target is the first retailer to offer this service on such a large scale.

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How it works

Upon placing a Drive-Up order at a participating Target store and receiving confirmation that the order is ready, customers can indicate their imminent arrival through the Target app.

Once the notification is received, customers can proceed with the following steps:

  1. Starbucks Selection: Customers will receive a prompt to place an order from the complete Starbucks menu. They can make their Starbucks selections and add them to their Drive-Up order, completing the payment process.
  2. Preparation: Once the customer completes the Drive-Up check-in process and indicates that they are “on their way,” a Starbucks barista within the Target store prepares the order. This includes packaging food and beverages securely for safe transport.
  3. Curbside Delivery: After parking in the designated Drive-Up parking area, customers can notify their arrival by tapping “I’m here” in the Target app. A Target team member will then deliver the freshly prepared Starbucks order, along with the customer’s Drive-Up purchases, directly to their vehicle.

Behind the scenes

Target began developing the ‘Drive Up with Starbucks’ app functionality in late 2021 in response to overwhelming guest requests.

The service was initially tested with team members at select stores, with their feedback playing a crucial role in fine-tuning the service for its initial launch.

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The company says it is committed to ongoing enhancements to improve the ‘Drive Up with Starbucks’ experience for customers.

Popular choices

Since its introduction, ‘Drive Up with Starbucks’ has gained substantial popularity among customers. The top-selling items include the iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso, birthday cake pop and iced caramel macchiato.

Building on a strong partnership

‘Drive Up with Starbucks’ is an extension of Target’s longstanding partnership with Starbucks, spanning over two decades and encompassing more than 1,700 Cafés located in Target stores nationwide.

By offering customers the option to include Starbucks items in their Drive-Up orders, Target aims to make same-day shopping services even more convenient and rewarding for its patrons.

Target says its collaborative effort with Starbucks exemplifies its commitment to enhancing the shopping experience and providing added convenience for customers across the country.