In a first for both, Amazon now is serving Starbucks online

By CHRISTINE FREY
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Amazon.com quietly began selling Starbucks coffee online last month, marking the first time that the two well-known Seattle companies have done business together.

The addition of the products -- whole beans, ground coffee and tea -- comes as Amazon tries to expand its selection of food on the site, said Glenn Cunningham, director of home and garden.

He declined to comment on the possibility of Amazon's starting an online gourmet food store. But several local food companies said earlier this year that they had signed agreements with Amazon to sell their goods in such a store.

Starbucks decided to offer its products though Amazon after it stopped selling its coffees on its own Web site, spokeswoman Audrey Lincoff said.

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