iLounge

Following a report claiming that Starbucks will cut back in-store CD sales and end sales of iTunes Gift Cards and other iTunes-based promotions, Starbucks has confirmed to iLounge that while CD floor space and selection will be reduced, its relationship with Apple will continue. Starbucks spokesman Doug Cavarocchi told iLounge, “By focusing our CD offerings to a hand-selected group of no more than four titles at a time we will be able to build on our trusted curatorial voice and tell a story with each title we recommend to our customers. To that end the CD floor fixture currently deployed in more than 6,500 Starbucks company operated locations in the U.S. and Canada will be removed in September, 2008, and our music CD selections will be concentrated to four positions at point of sale.” Cavarocchi also responded to concerns about the future of Apple-related products in Starbucks stores, saying, “Our partnership with Apple will proceed and we will continue to offer innovative products from iTunes in our Company-operated locations in the U.S.”