Starbucks Begins Testing its 'Odyssey' Web3 Rewards Initiative

Starbucks is set to give its customer loyalty rewards a Web3 flavour with the start of its much awaited ‘Odyssey' initiative. Clean and green Polygon blockchain has been chosen by Starbucks to issue ‘Journey Stamps' as NFTs, that would allow the holders to be part of ‘interactive journeys'. For now, the coffee chain has roped in a small group of people that had registered to join the waitlist to test the feature. The Seattle-based 51-year-old company is attempting to use modern technology to appeal to the next generation of coffee customers.

The Odyssey programme will let Starbucks customers play interactive games as well as complete activities and journeys to earn points and unlock stamps.

“We are leveraging Web3 technology to reward and connect with our members in new ways, such as offering collectible, ownable digital stamps, a new digital community, and opening access to new benefits and immersive coffee experiences – both physically and digitally,” Brady Brewer, Starbucks Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer said in an official statement.

The beta interface of Starbucks Odyssey shows the screen display journeys such as ‘Coffee Heritage' or ‘Holiday Cheer', that can be chosen by people to interact with and earn their rewards.

Coffee-lovers will also be able to have virtual tour of Starbucks coffee farm Hacienda Alsacia in Costa Rica and participate in trivia about the heritage of Starbucks.

“Shortly after beta launch, members will have access to the Starbucks Odyssey market powered by Nifty Gateway, where they can buy or sell Starbucks Odyssey digital collectible Stamps among members, with Polygon as the blockchain for the entire experience starting with the beta launch,” the official statement noted.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz first disclosed details of the company's Web3 plans during its Q3 earnings call.

In September, the company partnered Polygon as its blockchain provider to support its Web3 and NFT initiatives.

The Odyssey initiative is expected to see a wider roll out in early 2023.

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