December 16, 2022, Shanghai - Starbucks has been named as a “2022 Aon China Best ESG Employer” by leading global human resource consultancy Aon China. One of the most influential awards in China’s human resource industry, it comprehensively evaluates close to 200 companies on their environmental, social and governance practices, based on a combination of collected data and employee perception. Starbucks stood out for its outstanding performance in partner care, corporate social responsibility and sustainable development.

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“Starbucks is proud, and humbled, to be recognized as 2022 Aon China Best ESG Employer. Since entering China more than two decades ago, we have been committed to not only sharing our love for coffee, but also helping to build thriving communities and a greener environment,” said Belinda Wong, chairwoman and chief executive officer of Starbucks China. “Our commitment to ESG is unwavering. We will always be a company that puts people first – from our partners (employees) to our customers and communities across China.”

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The accolade came after Starbucks was recently awarded for “Employer Excellence China” for the 10th straight year by leading Chinese online human resource platform 51job.com. The company was also recently recognized in the inaugural “Shanghai Charity Awards” organized by the Shanghai government, and received the “Rural Revitalization Action Award” in the 2022 Ifeng Action League held by leading Chinese portal website ifeng.com.

Exceeding Partners’ Expectations

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Partners are the heartbeat of Starbucks. The company strongly believes that by exceeding the expectations of partners, they will in turn exceed customers’ expectation. Since the beginning, its mission has always been to take care of partners and their families, and helping them to realize their goals and career aspirations.

This commitment has been translated into a range of innovative partner investments and benefits in China. In 2017, Starbucks introduced a first-of-its-kind program to provide critical illness insurance for parents of eligible partners. Just last year, it launched “14th Month Pay”, a pioneering initiative giving retail partners an additional month’s salary as bonus on top of the 13th month pay they are eligible for, to be paid out at the end of every financial year. Partners can also select from a wide array of innovative flexible benefits such as HPV vaccinations and ‘pawternal’ care for new pets.

Starbucks China partners enjoy opportunities to pursue their coffee passion and career aspirations through initiatives such as talent exchange and barista championships, among others. The company also operates 12 signing stores in China, creating more employment opportunities for partners who are Deaf and hard of hearing, and dedicated spaces to celebrate Deaf and sign language culture.

Starbucks is committed to helping the communities it serves to thrive. Since 2012, it has been operating a Farmer Support Center in Yunnan, offering free open-source agronomy expertise and resources to help farmers grow better quality coffee and improve their livelihoods. A month ago, Starbucks announced its largest social impact investment to date in China, donating 17 million RMB (~US$2.5 million) to launch the “Beautiful Rural Community Project”, which will elevate the livelihoods of Yunnan communities by integrating coffee farming and tourism, connecting urban coffee lovers to farmers at the origin. It builds on previous projects that provided capacity building and livelihoods training for farmers, enhanced education and health examinations for children, and ‘smart’ agricultural practices to increase coffee yield leveraging big data and technology.

Beyond Yunnan, Starbucks has transformed the lives of underserved groups across China through programs such as ‘Reading for the Future’ to promote literacy for rural children, and ‘Rural Women Accelerator’ to teach rural ethnic minority women skills in local handicrafts and support them in marketing their work. The Beijing Starbucks Foundation was established in 2020, and has funded an ‘Inclusion Enabler’ program to support training and job placements opportunities for youth from the intellectual disability community, as well as various disaster relief efforts. Every April, Starbucks China partners celebrate Global Month of Good (GMOG) by taking part in local community service activities, contributing over 1.5 million service hours to date.

Advancing sustainability across the value chain

In the area of sustainability, Starbucks takes a comprehensive approach that addresses every stage of the coffee journey ‘from bean to cup’. At the first 10 feet, the Starbucks Yunnan Farmer Support Center has trained over 30,000 farmers on sustainable farming practices, with 2,860 farms verified through the Starbucks Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices. It has also invested US$156 in building a Starbucks China Coffee Innovation Park which will feature Starbucks most sustainable roasting facility globally when operational in 2023. Starbucks introduced its ‘Greener Store’ framework into China last year with the opening of the Greener Store Lab in Shanghai, with plans to operate 2,500 Greener Stores in the market by 2025. It also inspires customers to make small changes toward more sustainable lifestyles with the introduction of plant-based food and beverage menu, lower-waste packaging, and discounts for customers who bring their own mugs.

China is Starbucks largest and fastest growing international market, with more than 60,000 partners who proudly wear the green apron. The company plans to create 35,000 new job positions in the market by 2025, to provide partners more fulfilling career opportunities while giving back to local communities and helping to build a leading specialty coffee industry in China.

Starbucks has been recognized as a top employer in China for performance in partner care and social impact.

Starbucks Named 2022 Aon China Best ESG Employer

Starbucks Stories Asia

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Rejuvenating the traditional marketplace through reimagination, connecting the past to the present

Today, Starbucks Korea announced the opening of its fifth Community Store ‘Kyungdong 1960’ on December 16th, dedicated towards revitalizing and restoring the long-standing heritage of the Kyundong Market, alongside the local community of the marketplace.

As part of Starbucks Korea’s ongoing commitment to strengthen communities through the expansion of the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2021/starbucks-korea-announces-aspirations/">Community Store program</a>, the Starbucks Korea ‘Kyungdong 1960’ Community Store will donate 300 Korean won (approximately 25 cents USD) for every item sold at the Community Store to the Korean Commissions for Corporate Partnership (KCCP) to revive and refurbish the infrastructure of the Kyundong old market. The company will also host community gatherings and support various activities, creating a welcoming space for the local community to connect.

“This store not only stands for mutual growth with the local community but also a much-cherished meeting place for the locals,” said Jeonghyun Sohn, ceo of Starbucks Korea. “We hope to create meaningful occasions for customers of all generations and contribute to revitalizing the traditional marketplace.”

The new store pays tribute to the old Kyungdong Theater, originally built in the 1960’s, that has been lost since its closure in 1994. Previously, a beloved location as a community hub , Starbucks Korea pays homage by preserving the architect and existing materials of the old theater, modified with a touch of retro and modern design elements, bringing together the nostalgic ambience of 1960s and the signature Starbucks coffee experience.

The beautiful store spans two floors (third and fourth floors of Kyungdong Market) and 805 square meters with 143 seats. The double-doored entrance, which was preserved from the original structure, leads to the center of the store with the bar serving as the main stage. With seats in rows facing forward, customers can enjoy the view of the bar as if enjoying a performance in a theater. There will be regular cultural and musical performances by local artists in the store, providing a unique Starbucks experience for customers.

To commemorate the opening of its fifth Community Store, Starbucks Korea will sign a cooperative-coexistence agreement with the Korean Commissions for Corporate Partnership (KCCP), the Kyungdong Market Merchants Association, and KD Market on December 15.

Since opening its first store in 1999, Starbucks Korea has opened more than 1,750 stores across 78 cities nationwide, with more than 21,000 partners now proudly wearing the green apron. Starbucks Korea opened its first Community Store in 2014, which supports lifelong skills development for youth through the Starbucks Comprehensive Youth Leadership Program. Today, Starbucks Korea operates 5 Community Stores in the market, supporting local communities.

Starbucks opens fifth Community Store ‘Kyungdong 1960’ to support the local community : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks opens fifth Community Store ‘Kyungdong 1960’ to support the local community

The Community Store rejuvenates the traditional marketplace through reimagination, connecting the past to the present.

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Today, Starbucks announces new ways to give the gift of Starbucks in Japan with digital gift cards available from December 7 on the Starbucks Japan mobile app and website. This exciting new feature coincides with the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.co.jp/ja/stories/2022/starbuckscard/">20th anniversary of Starbucks Cards in Japan</a>, and will feature 30 seasonal and everyday designs to spark connection over coffee.

Starbucks continues to offer customers more ways to personalize their Starbucks Experience through mobile ordering and customization, digital payments and gifting, and delivery.

Digital Starbucks Cards now available in Japan : Starbucks Stories Asia

Digital Starbucks Cards now available in Japan

Customers in Japan can give the gift of coffee with new digital Starbucks Cards.

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The store in Jakarta is the company’s 17th Signing Store globally creating equal opportunities for the local Deaf and hard of hearing community

Tomorrow, Starbucks Indonesia will open its first Signing Store dedicated to the Deaf, hard of hearing, and sign language communities in Jakarta, Indonesia. Designed with inclusivity and accessibility at its core, customers at the Starbucks Tata Puri Community Store will be served by Deaf and hard of hearing baristas who proudly wear the green apron. The store is located on Jl. Tanjung Karang No.3 Kebon Melati in Central Jakarta.

Creating Equal Opportunities and an Inclusive Customer Experience

The Starbucks Tata Puri Community Store provides a third place where all customers, including the Deaf and hard of hearing community can gather, socialize, and nurture human connections. Deaf baristas will wear green aprons with the company’s name, Starbucks, embroidered in sign language. Partners (employees) who can use Bisindo sign language will wear an “I Sign” pin. Customers also will be able order beverages and food using a writing tablet.

The store also offers a community area for members of the Deaf community to support and conduct programs from Gerkatin (Gerakan untuk Kesejahteraan Tunarungu Indonesia) and Pusbisindo (Pusat Bahasa Isyarat Indonesia) – two organizations Starbucks has partnered with in Indonesia to support sign language education for the broader community. To encourage a culture of human connections through the celebration of Deaf culture and sign language, the store will also host sign language lessons and coffee workshops in sign language.

"The inauguration of the Signing Store is a major achievement for Starbucks Indonesia as it celebrates its 20th anniversary in the market,” said Anthony McEvoy, leader of PT Sari Coffee Indonesia, Starbucks licensee partner in Indonesia. "The Signing Store demonstrates our commitment to creating a more inclusive and diverse work environment, and to widening access to all communities.”

“We were delighted to see the enthusiasm from the Deaf and hard of hearing community when we opened applications. More than 150 people applied from across the country. The baristas who have been selected are a diverse group, including a former swimming para-athlete and fashion models,” said Anastasia Dwiyani, senior general manager of Human Capital at PT Sari Coffee Indonesia. “As with all our partners, we are excited to help nurture their talent and advance career opportunities.”

The Spirit of the Deaf Community Decorates All Corners of the Store

United by the culture of sign language, this store is filled with design elements that bring communities together. The signature siren logo with Bisindo is immediately visible as customers pass the busy main road, Sudirman Street. With the Starbucks® logo with Bisindo above the main door, customers are greeted by a mural wall as soon as they enter the store and a collection of exclusive merchandise - clear cup tumblers, stainless-steel tumblers and mugs. The elongated oval shape community table, and circle details on the floor, also symbolize the store that unites the community. The most notable feature is a 4m high mural painting by Deaf artist, Indira Natalia, which extends more than 11m outside the store, depicting the warm and welcoming Starbucks experience. The signature artwork can be seen by passersby in the street.

“As a Deaf artist, I am so proud to share my art with customers and partners at Indonesia’s first Signing Store. While brainstorming, I realized that Starbucks has always strived to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and belongs – and the inspiration for my work came from that, by presenting many different figures (communities) united by sign language and Starbucks,” says Indira. “Art can break boundaries and unite people, just like the connection people share when they drink coffee. There are many ways to communicate and connect people from diverse backgrounds, and at Starbucks, coffee makes this happen.”

Since opening its first store in Plaza Indonesia 20 years ago, Starbucks has expanded to 44 cities in Indonesia, with more than 4,300 partners now proudly wearing the green apron. In its mission to make a difference in the lives of those connected with Starbucks, the company strives to create a positive impact in the communities it serves. In 2020, Starbucks opened the first Community Store in the Tanah Abang neighborhood of Jakarta, to create educational opportunities for youth in Tanah Abang.

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Starbucks Indonesia opens first Signing Store : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks Indonesia opens first Signing Store

The store in Jakarta is the company’s 17th Signing Store globally creating equal opportunities for the local Deaf and hard of hearing community.

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Reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, all Starbucks Taiwan stores will offer reusable cup options to customers by 2023

Starbucks today announced the launch of its Borrow A Cup program across sixty stores in Taiwan, after successfully implementing its first Borrow A Cup pilot at two stores in Houshanpi and Taoyuan in late July 2022.

The program targets to encourage customers to shift away from single-use cups as part of Starbucks global goal to reduce waste sent to landfill by 50% by 2030.

In addition to the sixty stores offering reusable cup options to customers, the Borrow A Cup program will further expand to other stores in 2023, targeting to extend coverage to all stores nationwide in Taiwan by the end of 2023.

To borrow a reusable cup from a Starbucks® store participating in the Borrow A Cup program, customers should sign in to the Starbucks® app, place an order for a freshly brewed beverage and pay a $50 refundable deposit per cup. The Borrow A Cup program allows customers to return reusable cups in two ways: either by returning the reusable cup to the cashier at one of the 60 Starbucks® stores where the program has been implemented within seven days of the cup being borrowed, or by opening the Starbucks app in a KIOSK cup return machine in the store and scanning the “return a cup” QR code before depositing the lid and cup into designated delivery ports. Used cups are collected, washed and sterilized that meet or exceed public guidelines.

Adhering to the principles of a sustainable recycling and reuse cycle, in Taiwan, Starbucks has implemented multiple sustainability initiatives in addition to the Borrow A Cup program. Cup bags and cup holders made from recycled materials alongside reusable stainless stirring rods and trays made from coffee grounds have been introduced at all Starbucks® stores in Taiwan. Meanwhile, Starbucks continues to offer plant-based milk options such as oat milk, almond milk and soy milk to its list of customizable beverage options, and annually introduces new vegan meal options.

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Starting July 1st, 2023, the Starbucks Borrow A Cup program in Taiwan has now expanded to over 500 stores, with the exception of specific locations such as hospitals, airports and some business parks, half a year after its first launch.

Starbucks offers Borrow A Cup Program at sixty stores in Taiwan : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks offers Borrow A Cup Program at sixty stores in Taiwan

Reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, all Starbucks Taiwan stores will offer reusable cup options to customers by 2023

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Each Starbucks store tells a story through its own unique art and design, created in collaboration with artists from nearby communities. From thoughtfully working with local artists who share similar values, to ideating designs and finding creative new ways to bring Starbucks mission and values to life, Starbucks designs stores to reflect the distinct personality of surrounding neighborhoods.

Local communities are a constant source of inspiration for Starbucks and the artists we collaborate with. Each artwork plays an important role in creating a warm third place and a special customer experience. When creating artwork for our stores, we partner with artists to explore the stories behind local neighborhoods as a first step. Harnessing their creativity and expressive styles, the result is unique artworks that genuinely reflect and honor local communities, their customs, and traditions. This deepens the connection our customers and partners have with Starbucks, making all those who step foot in our stores feel right at home.

Here we explore the creative process behind three incredible store artworks from across Asia.

A mural celebrating the community Changwon Baseball Stadium, Changwon, South Korea

The Changwon store is in a distinct location, overlooking a baseball stadium and housing a community gym. Customers can visit the kiosk on the ground floor to order their favorite beverages to-go or ascend a grand staircase to visit Starbucks Reserve which overlooks the stadium. Given the store’s significance in the neighborhood, its artwork showcases a distinct sense of community and its many uses to those living in the area – whether it’s to watch a game or socialize in the off-season with friends. Having grown up in the neighborhood herself, creating the artwork was a proud moment for artist Eunjoo Lee, as it gave her the opportunity to represent her neighborhood and push the boundaries of her creativity.

“I drew inspiration from my hometown friends,” Lee says. “I sketched them as customers of Starbucks, representing a baseball fan, a parent, and an office worker. I also sketched a student, as it evoked memories of my teenage days in the city.”

“I am really happy to see my hometown friends and family visit the store, enjoy Starbucks, and take pictures in front of my illustrations,” she added. “Many Starbucks stores have opened in the community since I was in high school, so it’s meaningful for me to be a part of the growing coffee culture by reflecting members of the local community through these illustrations.”

A vibrant painting depicting the iconic Siren Magsons Tower, Goa, India

We opened our first store in Goa in the Miramar neighborhood, home to a vibrant artistic community. Commissioning the store’s artwork gave us an exciting opportunity to welcome customers and introduce them to our world of coffee, whilst paying homage to Goan heritage.

Osheen Siva, the artist, who created the artwork in this store, is known for creating vivid murals all around Goa. She is driven by a personal mission to express women’s empowerment – a value that is closely aligned with Starbucks, particularly in India, where we continue to advance gender equity through a range of initiatives, such as all-women stores. In a celebration of women, Osheen was tasked to create a bold, colorful Siren. The mural pays homage to Portuguese influences in Goa, as well the neighborhood's artistic community and famous craftsmanship.

“I had a lot of fun representing my version of the iconic Starbucks Siren,” Siva says. “My practice revolves around narratives of strong characters from diverse backgrounds representing their unique voices. The Siren is also infused by my own Tamil background with the help of elements such as the traditional South Indian vintage jewelry and Kolam tattoos.”

The mural pays homage to Portuguese influences in Goa, as well the neighborhood's artistic community and famous craftsmanship: “The composition of the mural was inspired by the vibrant and dynamic Goan culture. The rich pastel color palette was influenced by Panjim's Latin quarter called Fontainhas, known for its colorful Portuguese architecture. The geometric border design in the mural is inspired by the Portuguese azulejos tiles commonly seen in Goan homes. Lastly, the sea and the cosmos motif give a nod to the coffee trade and heritage.”

A stained-glass installation that celebrates Indonesia’s rich coffee heritage Dewata Coffee Sanctuary, Bali, Indonesia

The Starbucks Dewata Coffee Experience Center in Bali offers a one-of-a-kind Starbucks Experience for customers wanting to explore the coffee journey from seed-to-cup. On discovering local artist Abenk Alter’s distinctive Indonesian style and his love for depicting communities coming together, Starbucks partnered with him to create bespoke art for the space.

The center celebrates Indonesia’s rich coffee heritage through a variety of interactive, community-led activities such as interactive coffee workshops. In celebration of Bali’s vibrant coffee culture and Indonesia’s coffee origins, Abenk envisioned a unique stained-glass artwork that celebrates the power of shared connections.

“The artwork essentially represents my vision and things that I believe in, which I consistently wish to convey,” Abenk says. “It’s about people coming together, fellowship, and tolerance. In a social context, these are the values that are embraced as part of a concept that the Indonesian people call ‘gotong royong’ or collaboration.”

Drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of the island, the store is designed using locally sourced materials crafted by local artists and artisans. Abenk’s artwork brings a sense of dynamism to the space through playful use of natural light. Depicting coffee roasting and tasting processes, as well as the craftsmanship of our baristas, the artwork uses fluid movements and colors to celebrate intimate connections shared over a cup of coffee. The artwork adds to the stores experiential format, inviting customers to embark on the seed-to-cup journey through curated series of interactive experiences such as workshops and tours.

As we continue to explore new ways to celebrate local cultures and communities through our store art and design, we look forward to collaborating with more talented artists from across Asia, giving them a platform to share their art and stories about local neighborhoods.

A part of every neighborhood's story: Exploring the Starbucks third place experience through local art in Asia : Starbucks Stories Asia

A part of every neighborhood&#8217;s story: Exploring the Starbucks third place experience through local art in Asia

Exploring the creative process behind three incredible store artworks from across Asia

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A part of every neighborhood’s story: Exploring the Starbucks third place experience through local art in Asia

For the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2021/starbucks-recognized-by-japans-pride-index-2021/">second year in a row</a>, Starbucks Japan has been recognized with a Gold ranking from the PRIDE Index 2022, the highest honor for companies promoting diversity and inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community in Japan. Starbucks also recently announced that it has donated more than 5 million yen (approximately $35,000 USD) to local non-profit partner ReBit, to expand a popular diversity and inclusion program which visits schools across Japan.

The Rainbow School Project was created to raise awareness of gender diversity and LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and help schools provide secure and welcoming spaces for all students. According to a ReBit survey of more than 2,670 LGBTQIA+ youth in Japan, there is a 5.7 year gap between when young people first begin to seek information about their sexuality and gender identity (average age 12.5) and when they feel they actually received answers for the first time (average age 18.2). This period of confusion can be isolating and lonely, so the Rainbow School Project was designed to create an open dialogue between students, teachers and the community, to embrace and celebrate diversity.

"We are delighted to be working with Starbucks Coffee Japan on this project for the third year," said Mika Yakushi, representative director of ReBit. "We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all Starbucks customers whose purchases went towards this donation. We hope that through this project, our collective efforts to increase the number of inclusive schools will spread throughout Japan."

In addition to donations, Starbucks baristas have participated in the school visits, sharing their experiences and encouragement to young people and spreading a culture of warmth and belonging beyond Starbucks stores to the wider community.

“It’s ok to be different”: Starbucks Japan leads in diversity & inclusion : Starbucks Stories Asia

“It’s ok to be different”: Starbucks Japan leads in diversity &#038; inclusion

For the second year in a row, Starbucks Japan has been recognized with a Gold ranking from the PRIDE Index 2022.

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“It’s ok to be different”: Starbucks Japan leads in diversity & inclusion

This December, Starbucks is launching a curated collaboration with MTV Entertainment Studios-produced EMILY IN PARIS to bring a trendy, eye-catching line of daily essentials to Starbucks® stores in Asia. Inspired by the hit Netflix series set in Paris, the Emily in Paris + Starbucks® collectible line features drinkware and lifestyle accessories embodying a mix of Emily’s fun personal style and the effortless Parisian way of life.

Featuring the characteristic heart-shaped Eiffel Tower charm and bold shades of pink and vibrant floral prints that are typically Emily, along with quintessentially Parisian illustrations of peonies, the collection celebrates Emily’s strong sense of optimism and desire for adventure.

“Starbucks is thrilled to partner with Paramount Consumer Products in bringing the bold and playful Emily in Paris + Starbucks® merchandise collection to the fans of the series and Starbucks in Asia,” said Erin Silvoy, vice president, Product and Marketing, Starbucks Asia Pacific. “We hope the collection will play a role in inspiring people to enjoy and celebrate their lifestyle to the fullest, just like the energetic and stylish Emily in the series.”

Says Darren Star, creator of Emily in Paris, “I am thrilled with this partnership with Starbucks, a brand synonymous with a global lifestyle so many of us around the world have embraced. And the timing for this launch is simply perfect as we go into yet another season of adventures with Emily and her friends”

As the show returns for its third season on December 21st, the Emily in Paris + Starbucks® collection is the perfect holiday gift for fans of the show as they enjoy their everyday life in chic ‘Emily in Paris’ fashion.

The limited-edition collaboration will be available beginning December 6th at select Starbucks® stores across Asia, including Australia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan while supplies last.

Starbucks and Emily in Paris bring fun Parisian style collection to Asia : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks and Emily in Paris bring fun Parisian style collection to Asia

This December, Starbucks is launching a curated collaboration with MTV Entertainment Studios-produced EMILY IN PARIS to bring a trendy, eye-catching line of daily essentials to Starbucks® stores in Asia.

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Starting November 30, Starbucks stores across Japan will offer two new seasonal holiday beverages, in addition to the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/starbucks-spreads-holiday-cheer-in-japan/">delicious offerings launched earlier this season</a>.

The new Butter Caramel Mille-Feuille Frappuccino® blended beverage is inspired by the buttery layers of the French millefeuille pastry. The drink combines the crispy, crunchy texture of pie crust with rich sweet custard sauce and caramel sauce, topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of butter caramel. The new Butter Caramel Mille-Feuille Latte brings together Starbucks signature espresso with rich butter caramel sauce and gently steamed milk, topped with whipped cream and buttery pie crust crumbles. Enjoy the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Z_Jk15lzjFM">sensory delights</a> of these seasonal holiday beverages, available for a limited time.

As Starbucks Japan continues to give back to communities through its holiday Let’s Be a Santa giving program, customers can support joy through the season with their holiday beverage purchases, and enjoy exclusive seasonal moments. Starbucks Japan is once again collaborating with pop sensation Hirai Dai, who was inspired by Starbucks spirit of giving to write the song “Love &amp; Happiness (Let’s Be a Santa)” which will be streamed in Starbucks Stores across Japan beginning November 30, before the song is released to the public.

Customers and fans can celebrate the song’s official release on December 6 with the customized “Love &nbsp;&amp; Happiness” Dark Mocha Chip Cream Frappuccino® blended beverage, made with almondmilk. The beautiful taste of chocolate and almonds lingers on the tongue in the same way the gentle voice of Hirai Dai lingers in the air this holiday season.

Starbucks serves holiday “Love & Happiness” in Japan : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks serves holiday “Love &#038; Happiness” in Japan

Enjoy the spirit of the season in Japan with delicious beverages that give back.

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Starbucks serves holiday “Love & Happiness” in Japan

On November 23, Starbucks Coffee Korea opened its Juksun branch as the fourth Community Store in the market, dedicated to creating pathways to opportunities for young people leaving care homes to begin their adult lives. A portion of proceeds from the store will be donated to the Beautiful Foundation to support life skills development programs. In addition, Starbucks will provide coffee skills training for young people seeking employment opportunities in the coffee industry, as well as career readiness training for underserved youth. “Starbucks Community Store is a creative social impact model that helps consumers participate in sharing in their everyday life and contributes to prospering together with the local community.” said Chan Hee Han, chairman of the Beautiful Foundation. He added, “I hope this will be an opportunity to inform young people who are preparing for self-reliance that our society is cheering for them.” Starbucks has partnered with the Beautiful Foundation since January 2020. Over the past three years, the partnership has created a KRW 900 million self-reliance fund to help young people leaving care homes develop a strong foundation for their future. Starbucks and the Beautiful Foundation will continue to provide opportunities and support through this new Community Store.

To expand outreach to local communities through Community Stores, Starbucks is hosting a “Build Your Community Store” contest, with the Korea National Council on Social Welfare, and accepting applications from nonprofit organizations (NGO) through December 5. The contest will culminate in the opening of a new Community Store with the winning NGO, a prize of KRW 50 million to help launch the NGO’s program, as well as an opportunity to visit a Starbucks Community Store in another market. Participating NGOs may submit a proposal addressing one of the following topics: creating employment opportunities for vulnerable communities; expanding community outreach and engagement; providing skills training and self-reliance support; or a topic of choice aimed at solving a community problem. A total of three projects will be selected by a panel of professional judges, voting by customers and partners.

Starbucks opens fourth Community Store in Korea : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks opens fourth Community Store in Korea

On November 23, Starbucks Coffee Korea opened its Juksun branch as the fourth Community Store in the market, dedicated to creating pathways to opportunities for young people leaving care homes to begin their adult lives. A portion of proceeds from the store will be donated to the Beautiful Foundation to support life skills development programs. […]

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At Starbucks, we have always been about bringing people together and strengthening the communities we serve. Across Asia, Starbucks is working with like-minded organizations to drive positive impact in local communities, while bringing our partners and customers together to leverage our scale for good and achieve meaningful change.

Providing Hunger Relief in the Philippines through Starbucks FoodShare program

In March, we expanded the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/starbucks-strengthens-commitment-to-hunger-relief-in-the-philippines/">Starbucks FoodShare food donation program</a>, which donates unsold food and distributes it to people facing hunger. A program that started with 40 stores in the Metro Manila area has now expanded to 238 stores across the Philippines.

Starbucks partner Juan Carlo “JC” Cruz, a store manager in Manila, has played a key role in bringing this program to life. His store at Ayala North Exchange donates its end-of-day food to the Philippine Food Bank Foundation, which then distributes it to children and under-resourced families.

“The FoodShare program opened my eyes to the fact that being a Starbucks partner goes beyond handcrafting beverages. It is about walking our talk in uplifting humanity through the different communities we are a part of,” says JC.

As the day ends, JC and his team sort through the unsold perishable food items, getting them ready for the Philippine Food Foundation to collect and distribute. Once checked for quality, food like the local sweet bread roll pandesal, Danish pastries, and sausage rolls are all donated to those in need.

As a partner and an active member of the community, JC has immersed himself in the program. “The FoodShare program elevates us in a way that we are able to show our dedication to fulfilling our social and civic responsibilities,” he says. “We always look for ways to help our community by joining organizations that advocate ending issues like hunger. As much as we can, we try to provide a greater impact, one store at a time.”

And JC can see the ripple effect on customers too.&nbsp; “ Programs like this raise awareness of the unseen struggles faced by the underprivileged,” he says.

Empowering Young People with The Starbucks Foundation Grants

The <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/supporting-youth-empowerment-hunger-relief-and-inclusion-diversity-in-asia-pacific/">Global Community Impact Grants</a> are part of The Starbucks Foundation’s commitment to invest US$30 million by 2030 to drive locally relevant impact. The Grants were announced in March 2022, and fund programs that create meaningful local impact, expanding on the company’s people positive ambition to enhance the well-being of all who connect with Starbucks.

In Asia Pacific, The Starbucks Foundation aims to invest in youth, and in 2022 awarded 24 grants across 10 markets in Asia Pacific, with a focus on uplifting, creating opportunities and building connections with young people.

Among the grantees is The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, the city’s largest youth service organization. The grant will support the Career Starter program, which aims to provide 60 young people with basic digital skills, internships, and core skills for work readiness.

“We are thrilled to work with Starbucks to launch the Career Starter that empowers young people and can unleash their potential,” says Vicky Kwong, Supervisor at The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups. “Career Starter will provide disadvantaged young people not only with digital skills, training workshops and job shadowing, but also with opportunities for internships and community services.”

With digital transformation and artificial intelligence reshaping the future workplace, teaching digital skills to young people is crucial to helping them reach their full potential. Beyond enhancing participants’ competitiveness and employability, the program aims to give young people a safe space to explore careers in the IT sector and more. To further support participants’ development of skills to succeed in the workplace, Starbucks partners will serve as guest mock interviewers to help build confidence and experience.

Elsewhere across the region, Starbucks is also promoting the love of reading with children in Cambodia, while uplifting girls and women in Malaysia through the support from the Starbucks Foundation.

Since 2017, Starbucks has worked with The Asia Foundation in Cambodia on a project called "Let's Read!”, which is all about building positive reading habits in children.

With Starbucks support, the project has brought together local talent to create storybooks, including “Kaldi and the Dancing Goats” and “A Treat for Everyone”, which were sold at local Starbucks stores to raise money for “Let’s Read!”. Starbucks has also supported efforts to put more Khmer language books in the hands of children, including a digital translation event that brought together young volunteers and language experts to translate 20 storybooks exploring women’s empowerment.

Commenting on the initiative, The Asia Foundation said: “Starbucks was an early and consistent supporter of “Let’s Read!”. Our collaboration with Starbucks has created fun and educational stories for children in Cambodia and built strong reading habits.”

Starbucks and The Asia Foundation will launch a local community reading campaign later this year, whilst conducting additional library refurbishments, and provide read aloud training in schools.

In Malaysia, Starbucks is contributing to the Vocational Training Opportunity Centre (VTOC) transformational project, a community-led initiative by YWCA Kuala Lumpur. The grant will be utilized over three years to enhance the VTOC courses, as well as equip the students with the knowledge and abilities required to thrive in an ever-changing, dynamic, and uncertain environment.

Kartiyani Palaniandy, who graduated from the program in 2017, reflects on her experience.

“The program really helped me build my confidence, both externally and within myself,” she says. “The program facilitators helped us get out of our shells and made us proud of ourselves and everything we are capable of. They taught us how to be brave, confident, and to think smarter. It really helped me a lot.”

When asked about the most useful skills she learned from the program, Kartiyani says beauty and hair. Today, Kartiyani is proudly self-employed, running her own makeup artist business – an achievement she credits to the skills she learned and confidence she gained through the program. She’s also an assistant teacher for the VTOC’s beauty care class.

No matter what goals other women and girls have, she thinks there is value in going through the program: “VTOC is a great place to find strength within ourselves, achieving things we didn’t think were possible. The facilitators have given us a helping hand and appreciated everything that we do. I truly believe that VTOC has made us all better versions of ourselves.”

As we build on the momentum of these inspiring initiatives, together with our partners, non-profit partners, and local communities, we’re committed to making a continued positive impact on the communities that we serve across Asia and beyond – one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time.

Doing good together: How Starbucks is making communities stronger in Asia : Starbucks Stories Asia

Doing good together: How Starbucks is making communities stronger in Asia

At Starbucks, we have always been about bringing people together and strengthening the communities we serve. Across Asia, Starbucks is working with like-minded organizations to drive positive impact in local communities, while bringing our partners and customers together to leverage our scale for good and achieve meaningful change. Providing Hunger Relief in the Philippines through […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/doing-good-together-how-starbucks-is-making-communities-stronger-in-asia/

Every day, across the globe, our partners support the communities in our stores and the neighborhoods we are a part of. Our success at Starbucks is because of our partners (employees) and we are committed to supporting them as they achieve their dreams. As we embark on the company’s next chapter together, we are sharing the inspiring stories of three partners from across Asia, showing how their Starbucks journey has helped them feel welcome, while enhancing their well-being and growth.

“It’s a place where people can really develop themselves”: Vennibell Jotiol, supervisor at the Penang Signing Store, Malaysia

In Malaysia, the Starbucks Penang Signing Store is an inclusive store format where partners have created a welcoming environment to engage, represent, and connect with the communities they serve. Through the partnership with the Penang Deaf Association, Starbucks offers professional training and development for both Deaf and hard of hearing partners and hearing partners to provide service to customers in Malaysian Sign Language.

Starbucks Malaysia partner Vennibell Jotiol started working there in November 2019, after learning about the development opportunities it created for Deaf and hard of Hearing people.

At the store, partners feel a sense of belonging. Vennibell says, “The local Deaf community has always been supportive. We routinely host gatherings for Penang Deaf Association Committee members to meet and interact.”

“Since I joined, I’ve progressed into a shift supervisor role, which is a big achievement for me,” Vennibell says. “At Starbucks, we learn a lot of things and are at the frontlines, where we serve customers and develop ourselves to the next level.”

When thinking about her long-term career at Starbucks, Vennibell shared her aspiration, “My goal is to become the first Deaf store manager. Starbucks has taught me so much and it’s a place where people can really develop themselves, I have the opportunity to grow and achieve my dream.” “My favorite thing about my job is serving and meeting new people and being able to find ways to communicate with our customers, whether they are Deaf or not,” Vennibell says. “To be able to see how people are willing to adapt to your disability is very meaningful for me.”

Partners at the Penang Signing Store are encouraged to share and celebrate sign language culture with customers, while building deeper relationships within the community.

“What we’ve done together at our store is to actively teach our customers basic sign language and also how to sign their favorite beverages,” Vennibell says. “Most of our customers and colleagues are from the local Deaf community. They enjoy communicating with us and that has allowed us to get to know a lot of people from the Deaf community, who will also bring their Deaf and hearing friends from overseas to visit the store.”

“I’m really thankful for the closing shift. It means I can attend college during the day because of the flexibility working in the evening provides.” Mona Metri, shift supervisor at the Maker Maxity Mall Store, Mumbai

Mona Metri, an eight-year Tata Starbucks partner, believes that anything is possible with the right mindset, and refers to Starbucks as her second home. In India, it is essential for companies to provide the required conditions for women to work night shifts in India. Committed to provide an inclusive and supportive work environment, Starbucks launched The Women Transportation Program in October 2021, offering female partners who work late closing shifts a safe way to get home with a chauffeur-driven car with GPS tracking.

“Previously, only male partners worked closing shifts,” Mona, who currently leads the closing shift at the BKC Jio Drive Store, something made possible with the Women Transportation Program explains. “We used to worry about doing it alone, but once I had worked a late shift, I realized it was no big deal. You just have to focus and thoroughly understand the system. My family was invited to the store by the leadership team, who provided reassurance to partners and their families by addressing all of our concerns and questions.”

This program enables our female partners to make career choices that support their growth by offering them the flexibility and safety to choose shifts that meet their personal needs and career aspirations.

“I find my personal values align perfectly with my work,” Mona says. “I can attend college during the day because of the flexibility night shifts provide. My store’s management team is extremely helpful and adaptable.”

Mona has learned a lot in the role, including inventory management, checking for variances, and setting the store up for the next day. But she says the best part about working the closing shift is singing with her friends as they head home in a chauffeured car: “singing, cracking jokes, dancing, whatever it is – it all helps to build self-confidence. I’m really thankful for the exposure the closing shift provides. It’s a beautiful experience. I feel knowledgeable and empowered.”

“The best part for me was making true friends with my fellow partners”: Byung Yup Kim, assistant store manager at Starbucks Coffee Korea

In South Korea, partners are participating in the College Achievement Plan, which provides tuition support. To date, 228 partners have achieved four-year bachelor’s degrees from Hanyang Cyber University with more than 1,500 partners participated in the program . Last year, assistant store manager Byung Yup Kim graduated with honors and reflects on the experience of earning his degree while working as an assistant store manager.

“I had to take classes after work on the days when I had morning shifts, and on days I went to work in the afternoons, I had to take classes before going to work,” Byung Yup says. “Perhaps I could have been less stressed if I took it more lightheartedly. But I was eager to do it right, and as a result, I graduated with good grades.”

The university offers 35 majors online, and Byung Yup decided to major in English Studies after having studied conversational English at a language academy. The program allowed him the flexibility to balance his studies with his career at Starbucks.

“I think this degree is a kind of medal that I have received for studying at the same time as working,” he reflects. “And no matter what hardships come along my way in the future, I want to use this degree to remind me of how strong I was in the past, and to help me to move forward.”

Byung Yup’s time at the store was rich experience – he learned new skills and made life-long friends.

“It’s especially interesting to work together closely, such as in the bar area, and achieve something together,” he said. “It allowed me to build bonds to the point where I’d be able to really get to know other partners personally, their strengths and weaknesses, habits, preferences, and more.”

Now that Byung Yup has earned his degree, he has been thinking about new goals for himself, which include further studies and developing his skills and career growth as a manager.

Reinforcing Starbucks commitment to partners

Whether it’s building communities, providing partners with peace-of-mind or giving them the flexibility to pursue their ambitions, we are committed to elevating the partner experience. To find out more about how Starbucks is creating meaningful opportunities to our partners visit: <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/opportunity/">https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/opportunity/</a>

“I know I have the opportunity to grow and achieve my dream”: Meet 3 partners across Asia achieving their dreams with Starbucks : Starbucks Stories Asia

“I know I have the opportunity to grow and achieve my dream”: Meet 3 partners across Asia achieving their dreams with Starbucks

Every day, across the globe, our partners support the communities in our stores and the neighborhoods we are a part of. Our success at Starbucks is because of our partners (employees) and we are committed to supporting them as they achieve their dreams.As we embark on the company’s next chapter together, we are sharing the […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/i-know-i-have-the-opportunity-to-grow-and-achieve-my-dream-meet-3-partners-across-asia-achieving-their-dreams-with-starbucks/