First of several new stores opens in early 2020, building on Starbucks commitment to social impact in local communities

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Announcement came at the Managers’ Leadership Conference in Goyang, the largest-ever gathering of Starbucks partners in South Korea

South Korea is one of three Starbucks markets with Community Stores — the first opened in Daehakro, Seoul in 2014

Seoul, KOREA — Today, Starbucks Korea announced the expansion of its profit-sharing Community Store program, with a second Community Store location to open in the first half of 2020 with more to follow.

The upcoming Community Stores will focus on the three pillars of Starbucks Korea’s social impact initiatives: investing in young people seeking opportunities, promoting environmental sustainability and celebrating Korean cultural heritage. Through the Community Store profit-sharing model, Starbucks works together with local non-profits and community organizations in South Korea to fund innovative programs that empower the local community. 

“For nearly 50 years, Starbucks has believed that one of the most important contributions we can make is to serve as a catalyst for positive impact in the communities where we do business,” said John Culver, group president, International, Channel Development and Global Coffee &amp; Tea. “As a company, each year we try to live up to this responsibility in new and meaningful ways. I’m proud to announce that this year, we’re introducing a plan that will increase our commitment to building more Community Stores across South Korea.”

Culver announced the Community Store expansion plan to a packed hall of more than 1,600 Starbucks Korea partners (employees) who had come together for a full day of learning and engagement at the Store Managers’ Leadership Conference in Goyang, the largest gathering of partners in South Korea. With the announcement, Culver presented a unique Community Store green apron to David Song, president and CEO of Starbucks Korea.

“This year marks the 20th anniversary of Starbucks in Korea. Throughout our history, we have challenged ourselves to build a different kind of company in Korea by staying true to our mission and values, embracing new ideas and innovation that are meaningful to our customers and inspiring to our partners,” said Song. “We opened the first Community Store in Korea five years ago to help create pathways to opportunity for young people. We are pleased with the positive impact we’ve made in the neighborhood, and are excited to elevate our commitment with the opening of more Community Stores starting next year.”

The first Community Store in Korea opened in 2014 in the Daehakro neighborhood of Seoul.&nbsp;KRW300 (30 cents U.S.) from every purchase at this store is donated to Green Umbrella ChildFund Korea (ChildFund Korea) to directly support lifelong skills development for youth through the Starbucks Comprehensive Youth Leadership Program. Over the past five years, customer purchases at the Daehakro Community Store have generated over 830,000 USD, which Starbucks Korea has invested in supporting aspirational young people in Korea.

The Starbucks Comprehensive Youth Leadership Program is an innovative, holistic program that builds on the collaboration with ChildFund Korea to offer academic scholarships and leadership development opportunities to young people. It also features a unique curriculum focused on business acumen, collaborative communications and social consciousness as part of its aim to prepare young people from disadvantaged backgrounds for higher education and future careers. 

Lee Jehoon, Chairman of ChildFund Korea said, “The Starbucks Community Store is an ideal example of a for-profit company using its scale to give back to society in a meaningful way. Together we have nurtured 50 students through our program over the past five years, and I am very excited that Starbucks will continue building this momentum of positive change through more Community Stores across South Korea.”

Around the world, Starbucks stores are at the heart of Starbucks mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit — one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time. Community Stores serve as important Third Places that can create pathways of opportunities, invite conversation and connection, and drive locally relevant and meaningful community impact in partnership with local stakeholders.

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Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks announces Community Store expansion in South Korea in 2020 : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks announces Community Store expansion in South Korea in 2020

Through the Community Store, Starbucks works together with local non-profits in South Korea to fund innovative programs that empower the local community.

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/press/2019/starbucks-announces-community-store-expansion-in-south-korea-in-2020/

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Announcement builds on the Starbucks China Farmer Support Centre’s work to train 50,000 coffee farmers and contributes to improving education and health services for 6,000 children in 30 villages by the end of 2023

Marks first phase with grant to China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA) to improve the lives of coffee farmers and their families in Yunnan Baoshan

Shanghai, CHINA (October 24, 2018) – Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) today announced its commitment to strengthen its efforts to create pathways out of poverty for the coffee farming communities in China. By the end of 2023, Starbucks aims to&nbsp;build on the agronomy training efforts by the Starbucks China Farmer Support Centre (FSC) to train 50,000 farmers across the region, while improving the education and health of 6,000 children in 30 villages.

The first phase of this commitment begins with a pilot program with China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA) in Conggang and Nankang villages in Yunnan Baoshan prefecture. This approximate RMB3.5 million (US$500,000) initial grant, from The Starbucks Foundation, administered by the non-profit organization, Give2Asia, is the first of many partnerships to positively change the lives of China’s coffee farming communities. More than 1,000 farmers, and nearly 400 school-aged children in these two villages, will be directly impacted through capacity building and livelihoods training for farmers and enhanced education and health examinations for children.

“Starbucks has helped establish Yunnan as one of the most important coffee producing regions globally by improving market access for farmers and bringing the best of China’s arabica coffee to the world. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary in China, we want to do more to share our open-source agronomy expertise to raise the incomes for even more farmers, and to change the destiny for their children through access to better education,” said Belinda Wong, ceo, Starbucks China. “I am thrilled to partner CFPA as their unparalleled expertise and capabilities make them the ideal partner to kick-off our commitment to address pressing needs faced by China’s coffee farmers even more effectively. This is only the beginning of our ambition to scale our efforts, one village at a time, to build thriving coffee farming communities for generations to come.”

“I am excited to see Starbucks, a global coffee leader, join in China’s ‘targeted poverty alleviation’ efforts,” said Zheng Wenkai, President, China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation. “Education is the key to lifting families out of poverty. Starbucks comprehensive approach to leverage their expertise to better the income of coffee farmers, while improving education for their children, is an innovative model that will have long-term, sustainable impact.”

Holistic Approach to Build Thriving Farming Communities in Yunnan

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Starbucks is dedicated to working with local farmers to bring high quality Yunnan coffee to the world. Since 2012, the Starbucks China FSC in Yunnan Pu’er, one of nine FSCs globally, has been sharing its open-source agronomy expertise and resources, training nearly 17,000 farmers in Yunnan province on sustainable farming practices to date. Leveraging Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices, Starbucks sustainability guidelines for growing and processing quality coffee, Starbucks will further help Yunnan farmers improve their farming practices to increase the quality and price of their coffee.

As part of the partnership with CFPA, coffee farmers in Conggang and Nankang villages will receive customized agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers, soil improvements, as well as access to irrigation and processing facilities. These efforts will improve farmer livelihoods, strengthen the community and ensure the long-term sustainability of coffee in this region.

“Despite farming coffee for the past 18 years, I have not been able to keep up with the market demand for quality. My children had to leave home and work in the city to make ends meet. I hope the training will help me improve the quality and price of my coffee so that I can realize my dream to provide my granddaughter with better education, my children to return home and we reunite as a family,” said 64 year-old Yan Zuyun, farmer in Conggang Village.&nbsp;

Improve Education and Health for Students

Schools in rural areas face significant challenges in serving the diverse needs of the children. Starbucks holistic approach to building thriving coffee farming communities includes addressing the educational needs of children so that no child will be left behind and is given opportunities to learn and grow. Starting with the two schools in Conggang and Nankang villages, Starbucks will scale this same approach to elevate education quality for 6,000 children in 30 villages in the next five years.

The partnership with CFPA will provide nearly 400 elementary school students each with over 400 hours of supplemental education annually, including intensive tutoring and group learning activities by qualified instructors. In addition, CFPA will provide enrichment activities, such as interpersonal communications, arts and teamwork, to help students with their mental and emotional development. Free regular physical examinations will also be provided to all students, with additional support for medical conditions which directly impact their ability to learn, such as hearing and vision.

As a global coffee company deeply-rooted in China, for China, Starbucks is committed to its long-term responsibility to invest in meaningful ways to local communities. The partnership with CFPA is part of the Starbucks China and The Starbucks Foundation’s five-year RMB132 million (US$20 million) commitment to create meaningful opportunities for communities facing barriers, strengthen partner-driven and locally-relevant community engagement in Mainland China, and improve lives of Yunnan coffee farmers and their families.

Starbucks announced its commitment to strengthen its efforts to create pathways out of poverty for the coffee farming communities in China.

Starbucks Deepens its Commitment in Yunnan

Starbucks Deepens its Commitment to China by Creating Pathways in Yunnan Coffee Farming Communities

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/press/2018/starbucks-deepens-its-commitment-in-yunnan-communities/

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Building on a legacy as the world’s largest retail builder of LEED®-certified stores, Starbucks commits to designing, building and operating 10,000 “Greener Stores” globally by 2025

Starbucks teams up with experts including SCS Global Services and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to develop new, open-sourced “Starbucks Greener Stores” framework

Championed by Starbucks partners (employees) who are accredited sustainability experts and advocates, Starbucks Greener Stores will be operated sustainably while helping the company avoid $50 million in utilities expenses over the next 10 years

SAN FRANCISCO, C.A. (September 13, 2018) –&nbsp;Today, Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) announced the “Starbucks Greener Stores” framework and a commitment to design, build and operate 10,000 “Greener Stores” globally by 2025. “Starbucks Greener Stores” framework will be built upon comprehensive performance criteria that help ensure the company’s approach to designing, building, and operating its company-owned stores sets a new standard for green retail. Over the next year, Starbucks will develop an accredited program to audit all existing company-operated stores in the U.S. and Canada against the framework criteria, culminating in 10,000 “Greener Stores” globally by 2025, encompassing existing stores, new builds and renovations. “Starbucks Greener Stores” framework will also be open-sourced to benefit the broader retail industry.

“Simply put, sustainable coffee, served sustainably is our aspiration,” said Kevin Johnson, president and ceo of Starbucks.&nbsp; “We know that designing and building green stores is not only responsible, it is cost effective as well. The energy and passion of our green apron partners has inspired us to find ways to operate a greener store that will generate even greater cost savings while reducing impact.”&nbsp;

Announced on-stage at The Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, C.A., the “Starbucks Greener Stores” framework is anticipated to save the company an incremental $50 million in utilities over the next 10 years. This builds on Starbucks ten-year legacy of utility cost savings attributable to Greener Store practices, which already equates to approximately $30 million in saved annual operating costs.

With this commitment, Starbucks will also further enable and empower its more than 330,000 partners globally to be informed and engaged in sustainability, adding to a burgeoning group of partner advocates through&nbsp;<a href="https://news.starbucks.com/news/starbucks-partners-for-sustainability">Partners for Sustainability</a>&nbsp;and the Greener Apron voluntary certification program with Arizona State University.

“Starbucks Greener Stores” framework will be co-developed by leading experts including World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and will be audited and verified by SCS Global Services, a third-party verification organization that also oversees Starbucks Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices. This framework will be open-sourced to enable other retailers to engage in this initiative.

“This framework represents the next step in how Starbucks is approaching environmental stewardship, looking holistically at stores and their role in helping to ensure the future health of our natural resources,” said Erin Simon, Director of R&amp;D at World Wildlife Fund, U.S. “When companies step up and demonstrate leadership, other businesses often follow with commitments of their own, driving further positive impacts.”

“Willingness for Starbucks to independently verify a large-scale complex deployment of a robust, impact driven and an innovative multi-attribute Greener Stores program to address climate change, demonstrates leadership, integrity and transparency, which are core values shared by SCS,” said Stanley Mathuram, Vice President at SCS Global Services.

Starbucks has been committed for more than a decade to the development and implementation of scalable green building and operations. In 2001, Starbucks joined with the U.S. Green Building Council® (USGBC) to develop the LEED® for Retail program, and in 2005, Starbucks opened its first LEED®-certified store. Today, Starbucks operates more than 1,500 LEED®-certified stores globally across 20 countries – including all 50 states and Puerto Rico – more than any other retailer in the world.

Starbucks investment in a sustainable future continues with the announcement of a green building framework that exceeds construction and design to address long-term, eco-conscious operation. Built on a foundation of the LEED certification program and sustainable operations, the “Starbucks Greener Stores” framework will offer a comprehensive model and broad environmental scope that is universal in design, but most relevant to the retail industry.

With performance-based standards that incorporate design and extend throughout the life of a store, “Starbucks Greener Stores” will focus on:

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Today’s announcement builds on Starbucks 30-year track record of focusing on sustainability across all aspects of its business, including:

Related news:&nbsp;<a href="https://news.starbucks.com/news/solar-and-wind-power-fuel-starbucks-store">‘This store is powered by sunshine’: Solar and wind power fuel Starbucks stores</a>

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For companies interested in the Starbucks Greener Stores framework, please contact <a href="mailto:Globalsocialimpact@starbucks.com">Globalsocialimpact@starbucks.com</a> for more information.

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Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience please visit us in our stores, online at&nbsp;Starbucks.com&nbsp;and through the&nbsp;Starbucks Newsroom.

Starbucks announced the “Starbucks Greener Stores” framework and a commitment to design, build and operate 10,000 “Greener Stores” globally by 2025.

Starbucks Announces Global Greener Stores Commitment

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/press/2018/starbucks-announces-global-greener-stores-commitment/

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Company reflects on past five years of performance that saw a doubling in market value and topline revenue growth from $14 billion to $23 billion

Starbucks reiterates 12 percent or greater non-GAAP EPS growth target and commitment to return $15 billion to shareholders through the next three years

Company details three innovation growth drivers in Digital, China and Starbucks Reserve

Starbucks announces new standard for global pay equity, and achieves 100 percent pay equity both for gender and for people of all races in the U.S.

Starbucks reaffirms commitment to employing and empowering the very best talent, with more than 50,000 Opportunity Youth and 15,000 veterans and military spouses hired to date in the U.S., and more than 10,000 partners (employees) participating in the Starbucks College Achievement Plan with Arizona State University

Starbucks reveals new commitments to sustainability, including a $10 million investment in the “NextGen Cup Challenge” in partnership with the Closed Loop Foundation, and in a coffee traceability pilot program to assure transparency and trust and to give coffee farmers even greater financial empowerment

SEATTLE (March 21, 2018) –&nbsp;Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) today hosted its 26th Annual Meeting of Shareholders, with more than 3,500 shareholders, partners (employees), invited guests and board members in attendance. &nbsp;Key presenters at the meeting included Kevin Johnson, president and chief executive officer of Starbucks; Roz Brewer, group president and chief operating officer; Lucy Helm, executive vice president and chief partner officer; and Belinda Wong, chief executive officer of Starbucks China.

&nbsp;Johnson began the meeting highlighting the trajectory of the business over the past five years and the foundation that has been laid to accelerate the company’s next wave of growth. In his remarks, he offered tribute to the heritage of the founder-inspired company and highlighted both the power of the iconic brand and the strategic vision set to fuel the company’s future. &nbsp;

&nbsp;“No retailer is better positioned to meet the changing needs of today’s consumer, as expectations of convenience and community redefine what it takes to be a successful and relevant brand,” said Johnson.&nbsp; “The story of our growth over the past five years is grounded in key innovation investments we have been making for our future, and this continued focus will ensure we build upon on our leadership position in this rapidly changing retail environment.”

&nbsp;Johnson highlighted three unique and core assets of the company: increasing digital engagement, growing relevancy in China and celebrating the Starbucks Reserve brand as the company’s innovation lab for the future.&nbsp;

Building on the innovations of the Starbucks® App, Johnson shared details of a strategy aimed to grow digital relationships with the more than 60 million current U.S. customers per month who are not yet members of Starbucks Rewards.

In addition to opening the App’s Mobile-Order-and-Pay capabilities to non-Starbucks Rewards members this month, Starbucks will unveil a series of campaigns – inside and outside stores – designed to build personalized digital relationships with customers that create new revenue opportunities.

“When it comes to how a retailer focuses on the customer, we see too many examples of businesses choosing between an experience that solely focuses on convenience or one that simply highlights community,” said Johnson.&nbsp; “But we don’t believe there needs to be this type of a tradeoff, and our third place can and will continue to unite both experiences.”

The number of stores in China has grown from 800 to 3,200 in the past five years, with an average of one new store opening every 15 hours. Customers and partners connect with Starbucks in unprecedented ways in China, in Starbucks stores as well as through social impact in the community.

“We are humbled by how customers have embraced our third place experience, while the core of our success in China has been our partners, who deliver the unique moments of connections with our customers each day,” said Wong. “As a key growth engine for Starbucks, we are excited to continue to scale and imagine what is possible for Starbucks in China.”

Starbucks remains on track to open more than 5,000 stores in China by 2021 and will continue to drive market-leading and locally relevant innovation in coffee, store design and digital engagement to meet the lifestyle aspirations of its Chinese customers while contributing positively to the communities it serves.

Premium Category Serves as a Halo to the Core Business

Since the 2014 opening of the Starbucks Reserve® Roastery in Seattle, the company continues to invest in the expansion of its premium Reserve brand, centered around its small-lot coffee, immersive retail experiences and Italian artisan food by Princi.

This includes the opening of its first international Roastery in Shanghai, launch of the first Princi location in the United States inside its Seattle Reserve Roastery and the opening of dozens of Starbucks Reserve bar locations around the world. Most recently, the company opened its first Starbucks Reserve store location at its Seattle headquarters and already the store is seeing significant customer engagement across all dayparts.

The company also has plans to bring standalone Princi stores to Seattle, Chicago, New York and Shanghai and will open Roasteries in Milan and New York later this year, in addition to Tokyo and Chicago in 2019.&nbsp; Over time, Starbucks premium store segmentation will include more Starbucks Reserve Roasteries and up to 1,000 Reserve stores, and 20 percent of the Starbucks store portfolio will become Starbucks Reserve bar locations. These three formats provide opportunities for the company to innovate in customer experience and product pipeline, which will then be infused in the broader store portfolio. &nbsp;

“The Starbucks Reserve brand represents the pinnacle of coffee theater and passion, serving as inspiration to the entire organization,” said Johnson. “As these store innovations become refined, customers can expect to see an evolution of our innovation through our broader store portfolio, elevating the entire premium experience for Starbucks and the coffee industry.”

Chief operating officer, Roz Brewer expanded on upcoming innovations and described what customers can expect from a pipeline of food and beverage, with coffee at its core, giving a nod to the favorable customer response to the newly introduced Starbucks® Blonde Espresso Roast, and a platform of cold beverages.

“There is so much work going into our store designs and locations, how our partners show up for our customers and how we extend the in-store Starbucks Experience to a meaningful digital engagement,” said Brewer. “With our partners and coffee passion at the center of it all, the opportunity to build a reimagined Starbucks Experience is real. And we have the right strategy and people making it happen.”

For Starbucks, the power of the brand is fueled by both an elevated customer experience and relentless efforts to create meaningful impact in the communities it serves. On the heels of its announcement earlier this week to create a “greener cup” and a $10 million investment in the “NextGen Cup Challenge” in partnership with the Closed Loop Foundation, the Starbucks leadership team laid out additional bold commitments to growing the company’s global social impact.

Starbucks Commits to 100 Percent Gender Pay Equity Globally and Achieves 100 Percent Pay Equity in the U.S.

From the beginning, Starbucks has made it a priority to put partners first. From recent investments including parental leave to a comprehensive Family and Partner Sick Time Benefit, Starbucks has listened to its partners and invested in ways that promote equality and career development. Now, that investment includes both gender and race pay equity.

Announced today, Starbucks has committed to achieving and maintaining 100 percent gender pay equity for partners in all company-operated markets globally, setting a new bar for multinational companies. This is an effort supported by equal rights champion Billie Jean King and her Leadership Initiative (BJKLI) and leading national women’s organizations, the National Partnership for Women &amp; Families and the American Association of University Women.

Further, Starbucks announced it has achieved 100 percent pay equity for women and men, and for people of all races, performing similar work in the United States.

“This milestone is the result of years of work and commitment, and we believe it is important, as a company of our scale, to help bring more attention to this critical issue,” said Helm. “Starbucks has consistently outperformed our industry in terms of pay equity, but it is incumbent upon us to do more.”

Starbucks has also formulated Pay Equity Principles that led to the successful closure of the pay gap at Starbucks in the United States. Recognizing the importance of this issue for women all around the world, Starbucks is sharing these principles so other companies can follow suit, and address known systemic barriers to global pay equity.

Building a Strong, Purpose-Driven Pipeline of Talent

One year after its commitment to hire 100,000 Opportunity Youth – the 1 in 8 Americans ages 16 - 24 who aren’t in school or working – Starbucks announced today it has reached 50,000 hires and is on track to meet its goal by 2020.

Statistics show that Opportunity Youth partners are, on average, staying with the company longer, receiving promotions, and signing up for the Starbucks College Achievement Program at rates equal to their fellow partners. Once enrolled in Starbucks College Achievement Plan, Opportunity Youth hires are one-and-a-half times more likely to stay with the company and are promoted at two times the rate of the rest of the U.S. barista population. The value this population brings to Starbucks is proving to be a model for others to follow.&nbsp;

To further reach and elevate the opportunity for these young people, beginning this summer Starbucks will join forces with LinkedIn, MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership and organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, YMCA of the U.S.A., City Year, and YearUp, to launch a nationwide pilot connecting more than 10,000 mentors and mentees across the United States.&nbsp; Starbucks is also combining forces with the Schultz Family Foundation, MENTOR and other values-aligned organizations to bring mentor training to scale to support even more young people as they launch their careers.&nbsp; &nbsp;

In addition to the work with Opportunity Youth, Starbucks remains committed to creating opportunity for:

Piloting Coffee Traceability Program to Further Empower Coffee&nbsp;

Starbucks prides itself on establishing personal relationships with farmers who produce the highest-quality arabica coffee for our customers. The company’s commitments to these farmers have extended to key investments in:

More than three years after announcing an industry milestone of 99 percent ethically sourced coffee, Starbucks announced today the launch of a pilot program with select coffee farmers in Costa Rica, Colombia and Rwanda, to develop and utilize an integrated data platform that will create real-time transparency between coffee farmers and customers in Starbucks stores.&nbsp;

The pilot allows Starbucks to explore the viability of scaling this traceability technology to its more than 380,000 farmers.

“Achieving sustainability means we have to assure trust and transparency from bean to cup,” said Johnson. “Starbucks is one of only a few coffee companies that can trace our coffee to specific farms, helping to ensure a viable livelihood for the farmers.&nbsp; And we are unique in that we want to leverage an open-source approach to share what we learn with the rest of the world.”

Starbucks Annual Meeting of Shareholders began at 10 a.m. PT today and will be webcast and can be accessed at <a href="http://investor.starbucks.com">http://investor.starbucks.com</a>. A replay of the webcast will be available on the company’s website until Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. Please visit <a href="http://news.starbucks.com">http://news.starbucks.com</a> to find images, b-roll and live updates of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Certain statements contained herein are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the applicable securities laws and regulations.

Generally, these statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “feel,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements are based upon information available to Starbucks as of the date hereof, and Starbucks actual results or performance could different materially from those stated or implied due to risks and uncertainties associated with its business.

These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in U.S. and international economies and currencies, our ability to preserve, grow and leverage our brands, potential negative effects of incidents involving food or beverage-borne illnesses, tampering, adulteration, contamination or mislabeling, potential negative effects of material breaches of our information technology systems to the extent we experience a material breach, material failures of our information technology systems, costs associated with, and the successful execution of, the company’s initiatives and plans, including the recently completed purchase of the remaining 50% ownership of our East China joint venture and our continuing growth in China, the acceptance of the company’s products by our customers, our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms, the impact of competition, coffee, dairy and other raw materials prices and availability, the effect of legal proceedings, the effects of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and related guidance and regulations that may be promulgated, and other risks detailed in the company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section of the Starbucks Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2017. The company assumes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.

Starbucks Annual Shareholders Meeting 2018

Starbucks reiterates 12 percent or greater non-GAAP EPS growth target and commitment to return $15 billion to shareholders through the next three years and details three innovation growth drivers in Digital, China and Starbucks Reserve.

Starbucks Unveils Growth Strategy at 2018 Annual Meeting

Starbucks ceo Kevin Johnson Unveils Innovative Growth Strategy at 2018 Annual Meeting

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The Starbucks Foundation’s multi-year strategy will promote leadership and economic empowerment opportunities for women and families in coffee, tea and cocoa growing communities

Partnership with Malala Fund will expand the organization’s Gulmakai Network of education champions in India and Latin America

Malala Yousafzai curates an exclusive playlist for International Women’s Day to be played in 10,000 Starbucks® stores across the U.S. and Canada on March 8

SEATTLE (March 7, 2018) –&nbsp;More than 130 million young women and girls around the world do not have the opportunity to go to primary or secondary school, representing a generation of young people with limited ability to access economic opportunities, create their own livelihoods, and become leaders in their communities[1]. In many rural, remote communities around the world, that challenge is made exponentially worse by poverty, conflict, and gender inequality. Recognizing this global crisis – and the opportunity to drive long-term impact and social change – The Starbucks Foundation announced today a multi-year investment and partnership strategy aimed at empowering at least 250,000 women and families in coffee, tea and cocoa growing communities globally by 2025.

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To launch this effort, The Starbucks Foundation unveiled a new global partnership with Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai's organization, Malala Fund, towards a shared vision that an investment in young women and families can have a transformative impact on communities. Through this partnership, Malala Fund will work with Starbucks to promote girls’ education and expand leadership opportunities for young women in coffee and tea growing communities in India and Latin America.

"I want to thank Starbucks for believing in my dream of a world where girls can choose their own future. With their support, Malala Fund will help educators and activists in developing countries get more girls in school," Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Laureate and co-founder of Malala Fund.

The Starbucks Foundation’s partnership with Malala Fund will build on its ongoing investments in coffee, tea and cocoa growing communities worldwide with organizations like Mercy Corps, Eastern Congo Initiative, and Heifer International which since 2005 have collectively impacted more than 450,000 people. With a deeper focus on women and families, Starbucks will also be able to accelerate its broader goal to improve the lives of at least one million coffee farmers and workers by 2025.

The Starbucks Foundation aims to promote leadership opportunities for women and families in coffee, tea and cocoa growing communities to break down barriers to education, clean water and sanitation, and economic opportunities. Through its multi-year strategic partnership with Starbucks, Malala Fund will expand its work in advocacy, investment, and amplifying young women and girls’ voices, including growing its Gulmakai Network of education champions to coffee and tea growing communities in India and Latin America. The partnership will help expand non-traditional educational opportunities in those communities and scale leadership opportunities for young women with a goal to inspire the next generation of civically engaged leaders. Starbucks also plans to connect partners (employees) with Malala Fund’s Gulmakai Network champions to create additional leadership and engagement opportunities.

“We believe women and families hold the key to long-term empowerment and social change,” said Virginia Tenpenny, executive director for The Starbucks Foundation and vice president, Global Social Impact at Starbucks. “Looking ahead, we want to ensure our partnerships connect women with education and leadership opportunities needed to create healthy homes and sustainable livelihoods – for themselves, their families, and future generations. We are proud to join with Malala Fund to invest in young women so they may become leaders in their communities and achieve their dreams and aspirations.”

Malala Yousafzai Creates Starbucks Playlist for International Women’s Day&nbsp;

In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, Starbucks today announced Yousafzai will share a specially curated playlist of songs by female artists from 16 countries to be played in more than 10,000 participating stores across the U.S. and Canada. The <a href="https://open.spotify.com/user/starbucks/playlist/7oRPCwASlwSRQ4iXY62MaH?si=gWxrHYAFRayCgOJScWpN1Q">playlist</a> is also available on the Starbucks page on Spotify.

Towards a Shared Future in Sustainable Coffee &nbsp;

Starbucks has a long history of working with coffee, tea and cocoa origin communities to address their most critical needs such as access to water, sanitation, health and education. With The Starbucks Foundation’s focus on advancing leadership and economic opportunities for 250,000 women and families by 2025, the organization will build upon this work and help ensure even more families benefit. Through its global partnerships, Starbucks and The Starbucks Foundation are helping to improve the lives of at least one million people in coffee communities with the following initiatives:

Established in 1997, The Starbucks Foundation has strengthened communities around the world by advancing opportunities for youth, veterans, refugees and coffee, tea and cocoa farmers and their families, supporting communities affected by disaster, and promoting civic engagement. The Starbucks Foundation is a U.S. 501 (c)(3) charitable organization under U.S. law, and receives funding primarily from Starbucks Corporation and private donations. Learn more at <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/responsibility/community/starbucks-foundation">https://www.starbucks.com/responsibility/community/starbucks-foundation</a>

Malala Fund is working for a world where all girls can learn and lead without fear. Learn more at <a href="http://www.malala.org">www.malala.org</a>.

UNESCO (2016) http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0024/002452/245238E.pdf

Photo credit: Tess Thomas and Malin Fezehai/Malala Fund

The Starbucks Foundation announced today a multi-year investment and partnership strategy aimed at empowering at least 250,000 women and families in coffee and tea growing communities globally by 2025.

Starbucks Partners with Malala Fund to Invest in Women

Starbucks Partners with Malala Fund in a Global Commitment to Invest in 250,000 Women by 2025

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/press/2018/starbucks-partners-with-malala-fund-to-invest-in-women/

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New multi-sensory retail experience offers customers an immersive: •&nbsp;&nbsp; manufacturing and cafe environment including roasting, packaging and brewing; •&nbsp; &nbsp;integrated offline and online augmented reality (AR) digital experience; and •&nbsp;&nbsp; debut of&nbsp;food freshly baked onsite by Italian food purveyor, Rocco Princi for the first time ever in China

China is Starbucks fastest growing market with a store opening every 15 hours, marking immense opportunity across the country which is unparalleled for any other global consumer brand

The Starbucks Foundation and Starbucks China reaffirms commitment to the China market announcing a social impact commitment of $20 million USD (RMB 132 million) over the next five years

SHANGHAI, Dec. 5, 2017–– Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Shanghai, the first fully immersive coffee experience in Asia, will celebrate its historic opening tomorrow, Dec. 6, culminating in Starbucks most ambitious project ever. When the doors open to the world’s second Starbucks Roastery, created three years after the inaugural Seattle Roastery, customers will be greeted by a multi-sensory coffee experience in an interactive coffee and retail destination like no other.

The Roastery is the epitome of coffee and retail innovation for Starbucks in China, the company’s fastest-growing market with more than 3,000 stores across 136 cities, unprecedented for any global consumer brand and with immense growth opportunity. Starbucks already has more than&nbsp;600 stores in Shanghai – the largest number of stores in any city where Starbucks&nbsp;(NASDAQ: SBUX)&nbsp;has a presence.

As customers enter the Roastery and step through the front doors of the 2,700-square-meter (30,000-square-foot) building, they’ll be greeted by the stunning sight of a two-story&nbsp;copper cask, adorned with more than 1,000 traditional Chinese chops, or stamps, hand-engraved to narrate the story of Starbucks and coffee. As part of their experience, customers can visit many attractions&nbsp;including one of three coffee bars offering multiple brewing methods, explore specially-crafted teas at the 3-D printed tea bar, enjoy freshly baked Italian artisanal food by Princi, and marvel at the ceiling made of 10,000 handmade wooden hexagon-shaped tiles, inspired by the locking of an espresso shot on an espresso machine.

And, all along the way, customers can point their mobile devices around the Roastery for even more moments of discovery as they immerse themselves in the augmented reality (AR) experience. &nbsp;Integrating this technology into the store, located at 789 Nanjing Road W., in one of the world’s busiest shopping destinations, makes it one of the most advanced digital locations for Starbucks in the world.

“The affinity we have built with our partners (employees) and customers over the past 18 years in China is special and we knew we must bring the Reserve Roastery, our boldest, most premium store ever, to Shanghai, China’s bustling metropolitan hub and one of the world’s most dynamic retail destinations, as well as a gateway to customers from across Asia and the world,” said Howard Schultz, executive chairman of Starbucks Coffee Company. “We’ve created a space that both recognizes and celebrates our 46-year history of coffee leadership and retail innovation with China’s rich, diverse culture." &nbsp;

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For the first time ever, unique, small-lot Reserve coffee which Starbucks sources from more than 30 countries around the world, including coffee from China’s Yunnan Province, will be roasted in China by eight highly trained Chinese coffee roasters – passing on 46 years of Starbucks roasting expertise to the first batch of Chinese roasters. Customers can watch the green beans as they are roasted, then sent through copper “symphony” pipes (named because of the musical sound the beans make as they travel through them) directly to silos at the coffee bars, where customers can enjoy a fresh cup of Reserve coffee, or to the in-house pack line to be packaged for distribution across Starbucks Reserve® stores in China.

The three wooden coffee bars, including one that is 27 meters (88 feet) long&nbsp;– the longest at any Starbucks&nbsp;– are handcrafted by premiere Chinese artisans and reference the unique roasting curve of individual coffee beans, executing the Roastery’s design vision of Liz Muller, senior vice president of creative global design for Starbucks. The bars serve as the stage where hundreds of baristas will handcraft some of the rarest, small-lot coffees in the world using one of six brewing methods: ModBar® Pour Over, Chemex, Coffee Press, Siphon, Espresso and&nbsp;the proprietary&nbsp;Clover-brewed coffee.

The Yunnan Reserve coffee, grown in Pu’er in Yunnan Province, is roasted and available exclusively at the Roastery in Shanghai. It’s the culmination of Starbucks ongoing, deep commitment to Chinese growers. Since 2012, agronomists at the China Starbucks Farmer Support Center have worked closely with farmers and the government to provide resources and expertise to improve quality and promote sustainable coffee-growing practices. Like the Shanghai Roastery, the Yunnan Reserve coffee truly is made “In China, For China.” The introduction of Yunnan Reserve coffee also signifies an important step in completing the Starbucks China supply chain, delivering premium coffee from bean-to-cup, and now introducing a rare, exquisite, yellow honey-processed cup of Yunnan coffee to a global audience.

The Shanghai Roastery will become the first Starbucks location, and the first-of-its kind in China, to seamlessly integrate a real-time, in-store and online customer experience. Roastery customers are invited to immerse themselves in the first Starbucks augmented reality (AR) experience – accessible through the custom-designed Roastery digital web-app platform or on Alibaba’s Taobao app – by simply pointing their mobile devices at key features around the Roastery to bring to life information about the Starbucks bean-to-cup story. To help customers create their personal Roastery discovery journeys, the Roastery digital web-app platform also incorporates a digital menu and will, intuitively&nbsp;through AR technology, share details of the coffee bars, brewing methods, as well as other not-to-be-missed unique online and offline experiences. Each step of the way, customers unlock a virtual badge and once all badges are earned, they receive a custom Roastery filter to commemorate the moment and share on social media. The Shanghai Roastery digital experience is designed by Starbucks and powered by Alibaba Group’s scene-recognition technology. &nbsp;

This experience also extends to Alibaba’s online marketplace, Tmall, allowing customers to purchase Shanghai Roastery and Reserve branded merchandise and whole bean coffee for delivery directly to their homes, or to register for specially curated coffee tasting experiences that can be enjoyed at the Starbucks Roastery in Shanghai.

Princi, Italian Artisan Bakery Comes to Asia

At the Shanghai Roastery, acclaimed baker Rocco Princi combines the craft of bread baking, exceptional ingredients and the “Spirito di Milano” to bring his artisanal offerings to Asia for the first time. Princi, famed for bakeries in Milan and London, joins the premium Starbucks Reserve® brand as the exclusive food pairing to its rare, small-lot coffees. Princi is the exclusive food offering in all Starbucks Roastery locations, including Seattle, Shanghai and upcoming locations.

“Rocco and his team’s passion for handcrafted food and artisanal baked goods at Princi mirrors how I feel about our coffee,” said Schultz. “His attention to detail, meticulous care in selecting the freshest, high-quality ingredients and the artistry of preparation creates an Italian food experience that perfectly pairs with our most premium coffees. I look forward to seeing Princi’s success in Seattle further extend to our Roastery in Shanghai.”

In Shanghai, a team of more than 30 skilled Chinese bakers and chefs bring artisan baking to life using exceptional ingredients sourced specifically for each fresh food offering. Much like Rocco’s European locations, the Shanghai site is centered around ovens, with more than 80 different menu items – from flaky cornetti to focaccia sandwiches filled with Parma ham and Italian mozzarella – for breakfast, lunch and dinner, baked fresh onsite. A Commessa (or culinary concierge) will guide customers through the breadth of offerings.

The new Shanghai Roastery features China’s first Starbucks® Teavana Bar, an entirely modern tea experience specifically designed for Chinese customers. While demonstrating deep respect for the thousands of years of Chinese tea tradition, the Starbucks® Teavana Bar reimagines a modern tea experience for customers who increasingly seek new and different tastes and experiences. Customers to the tea experience bar can select a Teavana signature pure tea or blend, served either hot or iced.&nbsp;Using only the finest tea ingredients in the world,&nbsp;tea curators&nbsp;handcraft&nbsp;unexpected creations with tea mixology as well as nitrogen and tea. For those interested in experiencing a whole new brewing method, the Steampunk brings together science and theater. Watch tea leaves dance in the water, while steam extracts every nuanced flavor in one of tea’s most dynamic moments.

Inspired by the&nbsp;traditional clay teapots in China, the tea experience bar is a light jade color with dark shadows to represent tea stains formed in a teapot over time. It is also the only tea bar created from recycled materials using a 3-D printer, measuring 7.5 meters (25 feet) in length.

Our responsibility and commitment to the country’s future

Starbucks takes its responsibility to contribute and give back to communities seriously. Today, the company announced another milestone in its commitment to China: contributing meaningful and enduring social impact through poverty alleviation by creating opportunities for groups facing barriers, strengthening partner-driven and locally relevant community engagement, and improving lives of Yunnan coffee farmers and their families.

The Starbucks Foundation and Starbucks China plan to make charitable donations totaling approximately $20 million USD (RMB 132 million) over the next five years to drive social impact in communities across China.&nbsp;

“We firmly believe it is our role and responsibility to use our scale to give back to the communities as we continue to grow in China, and with the people of China,” said Belinda Wong, chief executive officer of Starbucks China. “Our commitment, together with our Roastery opening, epitomizes how Starbucks is doubling-down on the unprecedented opportunities we see in the future for Starbucks and China.”

The Starbucks Foundation’s charitable donation is part of its ongoing global commitment to giving back.

“The Starbucks Foundation was established 20 years ago to strengthen communities around the world.&nbsp; We are proud to have supported communities across China for many years and look forward to deepening our commitment in the years to come,” said Vivek Varma, president of The Starbucks Foundation.

Starbucks entered China in 1999 and these series of commitments reaffirm the strategic role of the China market and highlight Starbucks ongoing aspiration to elevate its partners, customers, suppliers and neighbors to create an environment where everyone can thrive. The Starbucks Roastery is another firm demonstration of Starbucks confidence and optimism in its long-term growth in China.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Starbucks_Shanghai_Roastery_Infographic.pdf">Infographic: Asia's First Starbucks Reserve™&nbsp; Roastery&nbsp;</a>

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 27,000 stores around the globe, Starbucks is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit our stores or online at news.starbucks.com and Starbucks.com.

Established in 1997, The Starbucks Foundation has strengthened communities around the world by advancing youth leadership and community engagement. The Starbucks Foundation is a U.S. 501 (c)(3) charitable organization under U.S. law, and receives funding primarily from Starbucks Corporation and private donations.

The 30,000-square-foot Starbucks Reserve Roastery, the first of its kind in Asia, introduces visitors to a fully immersive coffee wonderland.

Starbucks Opens Premium Reserve Roastery in Shanghai

Starbucks Opens State-of-the-Art Premium Reserve Roastery in Shanghai

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/press/2017/starbucks-opens-state-of-the-art-premium-reserve-roastery-in-shanghai/

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Launched in 2002, the Corporate Equality Index gauges which Fortune 500 companies are making LGBTQ-inclusivity part of their workplace policies

More than 900 companies were evaluated in the report, which gave Starbucks a perfect score

SEATTLE (November, 16, 2017)&nbsp;–&nbsp; Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) scored 100 out of 100 on the <a href="https://assets.hrc.org//files/assets/resources/CEI-2018-FullReport.pdf?_ga=2.32805566.1238091882.1510872053-1280276564.1510872053">2018 Corporate Equality Index (CEI)</a>, an initiative administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation on corporate policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) workplace equality.

The CEI is a nationwide benchmarking survey and report that recognizes historic support for LGBTQ equality among the nation’s top employers. Launched in 2002, the CEI gauges which Fortune 500 companies are making LGBTQ-inclusivity part of their workplace policies, and to what extent corporate leaders are joining the conversation and taking on leading roles in opposing anti-equality legislation. Companies are evaluated based on LGBTQ-related policies including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs and public engagement with the LGBTQ community.

Treating each other with respect and dignity, and embracing diversity and inclusion to create a place where each of us can be ourselves is at the core of Starbucks Mission and Values.

“The top-scoring companies on this year’s CEI are not only establishing policies that affirm and include employees here in the United States, they are applying these policies to their operations around the globe and impacting millions of people beyond our shores,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “We are proud to have developed so many strong partnerships with corporate allies who see LGBTQ equality as a crucial issue for our country and for their businesses.”

This year, 947 businesses across nearly all industries and geographic locations were included in the report. Starbucks was one of 609 companies that received a top score of 100. By scoring 100, Starbucks is recognized as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.

Starbucks has always believed in equal treatment of all individuals and has a long history and commitment to our LGBTQ partners, including those who are transgender or transitioning.

About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.hrc.org/">http://www.hrc.org/</a>.&nbsp;

Launched in 2002, the Corporate Equality Index gauges which Fortune 500 companies are making LGBTQ-inclusivity part of their workplace policies.

Human Rights Campaign Recognizes Starbucks as Top Employer

Human Rights Campaign Recognizes Starbucks as Top Employer for LGBTQ Workplace Equality

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/press/2017/human-rights-campaign-recognizes-starbucks-as-top-employer/

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The company will leverage its green coffee purchase power to ensure that healthy, rust resistant coffee trees are planted – yearly –&nbsp; in coffee growing regions most impacted by climate change

Initiative builds on the more than 25 million trees already donated to farmers in need as part of its One Tree for Every Bag Commitment

Expanded commitment supports The Sustainable Coffee Challenge industry goal of replanting 1 Billion coffee trees&nbsp; &nbsp;

SEATTLE, April 17, 2017 – Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) announced that it will make sure 100 million healthy coffee trees get into the hands of coffee farmers that need them by, 2025. This effort is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to provide comprehensive support to farmers around the world which includes open-source agronomy research, farmer financing and access to information.

This expanded commitment builds on Starbucks One Tree for Every Bag initiative which launched in September 2015, ensuring that a coffee tree is planted for every bag of coffee purchased in a participating U.S. stores. The seedlings will&nbsp;replace trees that are declining in productivity due to age and disease, such as coffee leaf rust which is perpetuated because of a warmer climate. More than 25 million trees have been donated thus far with the initial distribution of 10 Million having started in the summer of 2016.

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Having already built a successful tree distribution network and as one of the largest purchasers of arabica coffee, Starbucks can now integrate the purchase of healthy, rust-resistant coffee trees into its green coffee buying program. By working with long-term suppliers, the company will seamlessly ensure that a total of 10 Million coffee tree seedlings per year are available to farmers in need.&nbsp;

Going forward, the company will continue its relationship with supplier nurseries set up in Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador as well as look to develop new supplier nurseries in additional coffee regions that would benefit from re-planting. By integrating this into their purchasing behavior and evolving their current initiative, Starbucks expects at least 100 Million trees to get to farmers by 2025. Not only will this ensure that farmers get trees at a critical time but it will help stabilize the income of thousands of farming families.