Starbucks replaces The Times with The Guardian

Starbucks, the high street coffee shop chain, is ditching its partnership with The Times to sell The Guardian and Observer newspapers. The exclusive 12 month deal will begin on November 5.

The move comes just weeks after The Sun, sister paper to The Times, ran a high profile campaign lambasting Starbucks for water wastage in its outlets.

Marketing director for Starbucks Brian Waring says: “We hope that the 2 million people who walk through our doors every week will enjoy being able to buy a copy of The Guardian along with their favourite cup of coffee.”

Guardian News & Media marketing director Marc Sands says: “By selling The Guardian in Starbucks we are providing a new sales channel, offering a convenient purchase point for regular readers and reaching new audience.”

In last week’s latest Audit Bureau of Circulations, The Guardian recorded a 4.9% rise for September on the previous month to 348,878. The Times was up 4.12% to 638,033.