Starbucks Plans To Start Coffee Deliveries

Starbucks plans to offer a delivery option on its mobile app in some parts of the US starting next year.

The announcement was made after the Seattle-based coffee giant reported lower-than-expected quarterly sales.

"We are playing offence," CEO Howard Schultz said.

"Imagine the ability to create a standing order that Starbucks delivered hot or iced to your desk daily."

The world's biggest coffee chain is seeking to adapt to changing customer habits, including their move toward online shopping and away from brick-and-mortar stores.

It also previously said it plans to let customers across the country place orders ahead of time on their smartphone by next year, an option intended to get people in and out of stores quicker.

Starbucks is also pushing aggressively into different areas as it faces more competition from fast-food chains serving specialty coffees.

The company's net income was $587.9m, (£368m) or 77 cents per share, for the fiscal fourth quarter that ended 28 September.

Sales rose 5%, but fell short of Wall Street expectations.