Portion of proceeds from store will be donated to provide skills training, career development and academic scholarships for family members of those who served with distinction

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The Community Store is a partnership between Starbucks Korea, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and Korea National Council on Social Welfare

Starbucks Korea inaugurated its Dongnimmun Station store as the sixth Community Store in the market on August 18th, dedicated to creating pathways to opportunities for families of men and women of national merit who served with distinction.

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A portion of proceeds from the store will be donated to the Korea National Council on Social Welfare to provide academic scholarships and coffee skills training for underserved youth, who are descendants of men and women of national merit, seeking employment opportunities in the coffee industry. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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In celebration of the new Community Store dedication, Starbucks Korea signed a three-way agreement with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the Korea National Council on Social Welfare. The signing ceremony was attended by:

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As part of the agreement, Starbucks Korea plans to donate a total of 300 million KRW (approximately $224,000 USD) in scholarships over the next three years, while also conducting a coffee skills-training program in partnership with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.

The new Community Store, which is located near a historic site, Dongnimmun, features a mural by local artist Lee Eunjoo, honoring the valor and noble spirit of men and women who served the country. There is also a digital community board showcasing various social impact activities by Starbucks Korea to support the local community.

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“The support from Starbucks Korea and the Korea National Council on Social Welfare will provide greater stability for the descendants of those who have devoted themselves to serving the country. We will continue our efforts to honor and support this community and hope the interest will spread across our society,” said Park Minshik, minister, Patriots and Veterans Affairs.

“We are pleased to be part of this very meaningful agreement to provide aid for descendants of men and women of national merit. We will focus on developing more innovative social impact models in the future,” said Kim Soung-Yee, president, Korea National Council on Social Welfare.

“This Community Store speaks to our mission to help nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection, as we contribute positively to the community," said Michael Conway, group president, Starbucks International and Channel Development. “We are proud that through this store model, we’re able to create environments for Starbucks partners to connect with, engage and give back to the communities they serve in meaningful ways around the world.”

“We were able to honor the service of men and women who served with distinction by providing academic scholarships to their descendants since 2015 and our new Community Store represents our unwavering commitment and continued support,” said Ryan Sohn, ceo, Starbucks Korea. “Starbucks remains committed to creating more meaningful occasions for our customers and partners through its Community Stores.”

Starbucks Korea opened its <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2014/starbucks-opens-first-community-store-in-korea-to-create-pathways-to-opport/">first Community Store</a> in 2014, which supports lifelong skills development for youth through the Starbucks Youth Leadership Program. Today, Starbucks Korea operates 6 Community Stores in the market, and has donated over 3 billion KRW (approximately $2.2 million USD) cumulatively to support local communities. Since entering the market in 1999, Starbucks Korea has grown to be one of the largest markets for Starbucks, with 1,848 stores across 82 cities. Today, more than 23,000 partners (employees) proudly wear the green apron.&nbsp;

Starbucks dedicates its 6th Community Store in South Korea : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks dedicates its 6th Community Store in South Korea

Portion of proceeds from store will be donated to provide skills training, career development and academic scholarships for family members of those who served with distinction

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On August 17th, Starbucks Malaysia proudly announced the inauguration of its first Signing Store in Borneo, located at Vivacity Megamall, Kuching. This store marks a significant milestone in the market as the third Signing Store in Malaysia after <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2016/deaf-partners-build-careers-at-starbucks/">Kuala Lumpur</a> and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2019/career-opportunities-expand-in-malaysia-with-opening-of-new-starbucks-signing-store-in-penang/">Penang</a>. The store aims to uplift the local community by fostering inclusivity and celebrating the vibrant culture of the Deaf and hard of hearing people. Since its soft launch on 27 July 2023, the store saw an overwhelming and positive response from its customers.

"Creating a space that truly embraces diversity and empowers the Deaf and hard of hearing community has been a journey close to our hearts. The opening of the Signing Store at Vivacity Megamall reflects our unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the communities we serve,” said Dato’ Sydney Quays, Chief Executive Officer of Berjaya Food Berhad and Managing Director of Starbucks Malaysia &amp; Brunei. “Through this store, we aim to create a welcoming environment that not only offers exceptional coffee but also fosters a sense of belonging and equal opportunity."

Over the past 24 years, Starbucks Malaysia has strived to be a transformative force in Malaysia, driven by a vision that places humanity at the core of its operations and the Starbucks mission to nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection. With the introduction of the first Starbucks Signing Store concept globally back in 2016, the company took a bold step towards this aspiration, fostering personal growth and empowerment, and enhancing self-confidence and self-reliance of the Deaf and hard of hearing community in Malaysia. Since then, Starbucks has opened 20 Signing Stores in China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, and United States.

With the opening of the third Signing store in Malaysia, the company advances further in its goal to promote awareness and appreciation of the Deaf community by creating employment opportunities and advancement for Deaf partners (employees), fostering meaningful connections between partners and customers. Starbucks remains the only coffee chain brand in Malaysia to establish stores dedicated to supporting the Deaf community.

Starbucks Malaysia works closely with the Sarawak Society for the Deaf (SSD) to provide professional Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) interpretation services and to host various activities for the Deaf and hard of hearing community – providing a platform where they can gather to share ideas, learn more about job opportunities, or connect with each other on current issues.

"This inclusive effort by Starbucks Malaysia to foster a supportive environment for the Deaf and hard of hearing community is truly commendable. Such initiatives pave the way for greater community integration and empowerment.” said Dato’ Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah, Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development.

Every detail of the Signing Store, from the carefully designed touchpoints catering to the Deaf and hard of hearing, to the spacious café area ideal for community workshops, reflects Starbucks commitment to creating an inclusive and enriching environment.

Moreover, Starbucks Malaysia is dedicated to endorsing local artists, including those with disabilities. This commitment is exemplified through collaborations with Deaf artists on exclusive commissioned artwork featured in Signing Stores as well as a core Starbucks® stores. Inside this third Signing Store is a captivating mural by Deaf artist Madang Ding Anyi, from the Orang Ulu community in Sarawak, celebrating the coffee growing essence of Asia Pacific and depicting the flora of Borneo.

As part of this occasion, Starbucks Malaysia introduces an exclusive range of Signing Store merchandise, including keychains, tote bags, ceramic mugs, stainless steel tumblers, plastic cold cups, and limited-edition Starbucks Card, available exclusively in Signing Stores.

Starbucks Malaysia launches first Signing Store in Borneo and the third in Malaysia : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks Malaysia launches first Signing Store in Borneo and the third in Malaysia

On August 17th, Starbucks Malaysia proudly announced the inauguration of its first Signing Store in Borneo, located at Vivacity Megamall, Kuching. This store marks a significant milestone in the market as the third Signing Store in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

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For more than fifty years, Starbucks has been dedicated to nurturing the limitless possibilities of human connection over coffee.&nbsp;Our approach has helped Starbucks grow from one tiny store along a cobblestone street in Seattle to more than 37,000 stores operating in 86 markets today.

These days, Starbucks has over 100 million customer occasions each week. To do that, we have made prudent investments to support our growth. We are proud our early investments in digital innovation have helped us provide customers with new ways enjoy novel Starbucks experiences around the globe. In a recent 90-day period, 75 million Starbucks Rewards customers actively engaged with the brand digitally across the globe, including 20 million in China.

Starbucks is investing for the long-term in China, and by 2025, Starbucks will have expanded to have 9,000 stores in that market. To support our growth, we are revamping our approach to digital innovation by investing in our infrastructure. As first announced in 2022, Starbucks is establishing an Innovation and Tech Center (SITC) in Shenzhen. Today, we announced the center will open this September, and will accelerate the digitization of Starbucks retail operations and omni-channel business in China by leveraging the power of data analytics, modeling and decision-making to drive operational excellence and create new experiences centered around people and coffee.

As Starbucks retail innovation hub in China, the SITC will provide an exciting platform for brewing human-centric innovations that reimagine Starbucks retail landscape and customer experience in China. It will focus on:

This marks just the latest of Starbucks investments to fuel its long-term growth in China and be at the forefront of that market’s dynamic and fast evolving retail landscape. Come this fall, the company will be opening the Starbucks China Coffee Innovation Park, another landmark investment that will feature a smart integrated distribution center and other infrastructure designed to unleash our growth in China, positioning us to open multiple stores per day as we track towards our 2025 goal.

Starbucks Enhances Innovation to Support Growth in China : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks Enhances Innovation to Support Growth in China

For more than fifty years, Starbucks has been dedicated to nurturing the limitless possibilities of human connection over coffee.&nbsp;Our approach has helped Starbucks grow from one tiny store along a cobblestone street in Seattle to more than 37,000 stores operating in 86 markets today. These days, Starbucks has over 100 million customer occasions each week. […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2023/starbucks-enhances-innovation-to-support-growth-in-china/

The much-anticipated collaboration for the Asia Pacific region will release a bevy of showstopping offerings from an iconic Frappuccino to limited-edition merchandise inspired by BLACKPINK’s bright and bold style

This summer, Starbucks will unite with phenomenal K-pop Girl Group BLACKPINK to unleash a new experience that is set to excite the legions of BLINKs across the Asia Pacific region. From July 25 for a limited time, the exclusive, first-ever collaboration for the Asia Pacific will unveil an iconic new BLACKPINK-themed Frappuccino, along with a limited-edition collection of stylish drinkware and lifestyle merchandise, at select Starbucks stores across nine markets in the region.

BLINKs and Starbucks fans alike can look forward to a brighter, bolder, and more exciting summer with a bevy of vibrant offerings embodying the endearing spirit and inimitable style of the sensational group that has captured hearts and minds around the globe.

“BLACKPINK is synonymous with an authenticity that is bold and confident, making them an inspiring force that transcends geographies and cultures. We are so thrilled to partner with one of the biggest icons of this generation that aligns with our focus on uplifting customers and fans alike through human connection to create an unforgettable Starbucks Experience,” said Emmy Kan, senior vice president and president, Starbucks Asia Pacific.

“Guided by our shared passion to deliver unparalleled experiences, this collaboration will bring new energy and excitement to our customers who are encouraged to embrace their individuality and express themselves in bold new ways this summer. It is also testament of how we are continually exploring limitless opportunities to deepen our connection with our customers.”

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For the first time ever, customers can experience a taste of the well-loved group with the new BLACKPINK Strawberry Choco Cream Frappuccino® Blended Beverage. Reminiscent of the chic and edgy vibe of BLACKPINK’s latest album Born Pink, the stunning black and pink-hued beverage blends strawberry syrup and dark chocolate sauce with feel-good oat milk and chocolate curls, topped with light pink whipped cream and a symbolic heart-shaped chocolate. A multi-sensory experience that captures the showstopping spirit of BLACKPINK, the iconic beverage is set to become a fan favorite that will uplift summer days.

Fans will be tickled pink by the BLACKPINK + STARBUCKS® collection, an epic line-up of 11 types of drinkware and 6 lifestyle accessories featuring a signature contrasting pink and black color palette and funky graffiti motifs. The limited-edition merchandise evokes the girl group’s playful vibes and dynamic energy, while showing off confidence with an edge to live the best summer.

Customers can take their pick from an iconic range of Starbucks reusable cups, mugs and tumblers in signature BLACKPINK hues, adorned with fun drawings or encrusted with striking rhinestones that add sparkle to the everyday. Designed as eye-catching reusable ware, the collection entices fans to show off their chic reusables and make the switch from single-use to BYOC (bring your own cup) and show up for the planet.

The curated collection also showcases an array of lifestyle accessories to turn up the summer fun. Featuring stylish aesthetics with a touch of unique BLACKPINK doodles-style prints, the limited-edition merchandise includes reusable tote bags, yoga mats, passport holders, and key chains.

The limited-edition collaboration will be available beginning July 25 at select Starbucks stores across Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, while supplies last.

Starbucks and BLACKPINK join forces to dial up the summer fun : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks and BLACKPINK join forces to dial up the summer fun

The much-anticipated collaboration for the Asia Pacific region will release a bevy of showstopping offerings from an iconic Frappuccino to limited-edition merchandise inspired by BLACKPINK’s bright and bold style

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Market unveils 2nd Community Store, with plans to expand to 800 stores and 8 Community Stores by 2030

This year, Starbucks Thailand celebrates 25 years of nurturing human connection, uplifting local communities and celebrating coffee. A testament to the dedication and commitment to the Thailand market, the milestone anniversary is celebrated with a nationwide anniversary promotion and a Starbucks® Rewards member event on 7-8 July for customers. The brand has also transformed the largest store in Thailand, Starbucks Reserve® Chao Phraya Riverfront at ICONSIAM, into the 2nd Community Store in the market.

The 25-year journey of Starbucks Thailand has seen the brand expand across 465 stores with over 4,300 partners (employees) delivering the&nbsp;Starbucks Experience&nbsp;every day. Serving over 800,000 customers every week, the brand continues to nurture relationships with customers and communities, by creating more opportunities to connect over coffee.

“I am very grateful to our customers and partners for their continuous support of Starbucks Thailand throughout the years,” said Nednapa Srisamai, managing director, Starbucks Thailand. “We are committed to connecting with all cultures and customers while continuing to raise the bar on coffee quality and craft, elevating coffee experience for our customers for many years to come.”

The company plans to expand to 800 stores, including 8 Community Stores by 2030, reaffirming the commitment to accelerate growth across one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic markets and deepen its relations with local communities.

25th Anniversary celebration event and limited-edition merchandise

On 7-8 July, the 25th Anniversary Starbucks® Rewards member event took place at Suralai Hall, ICONSIAM 7th Floor where Starbucks® Rewards members enjoyed celebration activities including engaging in fun games and tasting sessions of exclusive coffee such as PrinciTM Blend, Reserve Galapagos La Tortuga, and more. Limited-edition collectible merchandise such as the 25th Anniversary Bling Cold Cup and community merchandise sourced from local Thai communities; Benjarong collection and Water Hyacinth tote bag, were also available only at the event.

Transforming the ICONSIAM flagship store to further uplift communities

The Starbucks Community Store creates an environment where partners can connect and engage with the communities they serve in unique ways. The new Community Store at <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2021/starbucks-unveils-largest-store-in-thailand/">ICONSIAM</a>, Starbucks Thailand’s largest store, will have a meaningful impact on local communities through a profit-sharing business model where 10 baht (approximately 30 cents USD) from every handcrafted coffee beverage sold will be equally shared between two nonprofit organizations, Integrated Tribal Development Foundation (ITDF) and Scholars of Sustenance (SOS). Two community rooms will also be available as dedicated space to conduct training sessions and community activities by ITDF and SOS. This new Community Store supports Starbucks global commitment to open 1000 Community Stores by 2030.

“This new Community Store at ICONSIAM speaks to our brand promise to help nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection and move towards a more sustainable future, as we continue to focus on the wellbeing of our coffee farming communities in the northern part of Thailand,” added Nednapa.

Meaningful partnership to support and uplift communities

Starbucks Thailand is committed to supporting programs that create meaningful local impact, expanding on the company’s ambition to enhance the well-being of all who connect with the company, from coffee-growing communities to families in neighborhoods around its stores.&nbsp;

Since the launch of Thailand’s first Community Store in 2013 in the Langsuan neighborhood of Bangkok, Starbucks Thailand has contributed over 17 million baht (approximately $500,000 USD) through a profit-sharing business model, with 5% of sales from Muan Jai™ Blend coffee bean and 10 baht from every Starbucks® beverage purchased at the Community Store going to support coffee farming communities in Northern Thailand. These contributions enabled The Integrated Tribal Development Foundation (ITDF) to implement initiatives ranging from providing clean drinking water, schools and facilities, to training for villagers and coffee facilitators to support hilltribe farmers in coffee quality control and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/cafe-practices-starbucks-approach-to-ethically-sourcing-coffee/">C.A.F.E. practices</a>.

With a focus on minimizing food waste and improving access to nutritious food for all, Starbucks Thailand partners with SOS to collect unsold food from participating Starbucks® stores in Bangkok, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai and Phuket, to deliver to communities in need.&nbsp; From July 2022 to date, over 18,000 kg of meals have been collected from Starbucks Thailand stores and delivered to underserved communities, while more than 1.45 million baht ($44,620 USD) has been donated to SOS by The Starbucks Foundation to support SOS Rescue Kitchen Program to improve access to nutritious food in vulnerable communities.&nbsp;

In addition to ITDF and SOS, Starbucks Thailand has a long history of working with Books for Children, which promotes literacy through local reading events, book corners and community libraries. Recent Global Community Impact Grants from The Starbucks Foundation are helping to expand the Reading Hero project to youth and families in underserved communities.

Sustainable growth, by giving more than we take

Starbucks Thailand is committed to delivering a sustainable future through the reduction of carbon emissions, wastewater, and waste footprint, starting with the introduction of &nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2023/whats-inside-a-greener-store/">Starbucks Greener Stores</a> in Thailand.

The framework, co-developed with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), includes a set of 25 performance-based standards across environmental impact areas such as energy efficiency, water stewardship, and waste diversion, designed to accelerate the transformation of retail towards lower-impact stores, supporting the company’s 2030 goals of reducing carbon, water, and waste footprints by 50%.

To date, Thailand has certified three Greener Stores that operate entirely on electricity and feature precise energy monitoring capabilities using a detailed energy management system (EMS) that captures energy use data in real-time to maintain high performance and efficiency. The system will enable the stores to identify inefficiencies and help control and conserve energy in the future.

In addition, Starbucks Thailand is supporting customers to make more sustainable choices through reusable programs such as For-Here-Ware and Reusable Cup Program, with customers receiving a 10-baht discount when bringing their own tumblers to stores, as well as the Grounds for Your Garden program, where everyone can pick up a bag of coffee grounds for free to enrich their gardens and compost at home.

“The future is not only about growth, but also about giving back to the families and communities of our coffee farmers, nurturing the wellbeing of our partners and their connections to coffee, serving quality cups of coffee and beverages to our customers, to give back more than we take and to uplift our communities through social impact initiatives,” said Nednapa. “With every cup, with every conversation, and with every community, Starbucks Thailand is working towards the mutual success of everyone; from coffee farmers to our partners (employees), to customers, to business partners, and to our local communities”.

Starbucks Celebrates 25 years of Coffee and Connections in Thailand : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks Celebrates 25 years of Coffee and Connections in Thailand

Market unveils 2nd Community Store, with plans to expand to 800 stores and 8 Community Stores by 2030

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Available at Starbucks® stores for a limited time across Asia, refresh your taste buds with Starbucks latest summer beverages.

NEW! STARBUCKS® MANGO DRAGONFRUIT WITH LEMONADE STARBUCKS REFRESHERS™

An exotic twist on the classic lemonade, the Mango Dragonfruit with Lemonade Starbucks Refreshers™ is the perfect summer companion. blended beverage. Taste the sunshine in a juicy blend of mango and dragonfruit, combined with zesty lemonade and ice. The tropical pick-me-up is topped with chunks of dragonfruit and mango, perfect for a much-needed energy boost during the sweltering summer heat. Available as an iced handcrafted beverage.

NEW! STARBUCKS® DRAGON DRINK WITH MANGO DRAGON FRUIT STARBUCKS REFRESHERS™

Beat the heat with the beautiful pastel magenta Dragon Drink with Mango Dragon fruit Starbucks Refreshers™. A wildly fruity combination of sweet mango and dragon fruit juice and coconut milk for a creamy yet light finish that is sure to hit your tropical sweet spot. Available as an iced handcrafted beverage.

NEW! STARBUCKS® HONEYCOMB SALTED CARAMEL OATMILK LATTE

Sip into caramel honey-crunchy yummy goodness with the Honeycomb Salted Caramel Oatmilk Latte. A delicious blend of velvety oatmilk, signature Starbucks® espresso and salted caramel syrup, this summery delight comes topped with fluffy whipped cream, sweet caramel drizzle and crunchy honeycomb for an indulgent crunch. Available as a hot, iced, and blended handcrafted beverage.

Beat the heat and embrace sun-kissed vibes with Starbucks brand new summer beverages : Starbucks Stories Asia

Beat the heat and embrace sun-kissed vibes with Starbucks brand new summer beverages

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The trip to Shanghai and Beijing was Narasimhan’s first visit outside of North America since he became chief executive officer of Starbucks on March 20.

Laxman Narasimhan (纳思瀚), chief executive officer of Starbucks, has lived all around the world, held key leadership roles at a number of major companies and speaks six languages. But on his recent trip to China, Starbucks second largest market after the United States, he was there to learn.

“I have so much to learn from all of you,” he told the hundreds of Starbucks partners gathered during an open forum. “... Thank you for welcoming me into your house.”

During his first trip outside of North America since becoming ceo, he visited a number of stores across a variety of formats in Beijing and Shanghai, the Starbucks <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2020/starbucks-unveils-bold-vision-for-china-coffee-innovation-park/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">China Coffee Innovation Park</a>, slated to open later this year, and more.&nbsp;Each store and location offered a window into the unique Starbucks Experience of partners and customers in China. The visit comes less than a month after Howard Schultz, Starbucks founder and chairman emeritus, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2023/photo-essay-starbucks-china-partners-visit-with-howard-schultz-chairman-emeritus/">visited partners in Beijing</a>, where he opened the first Starbucks in China in 1999. Schultz’s bold vision for the China business is legendary, as is his enduring love for partners in Starbucks second largest global market. It's a passion now shared by Narasimhan.

“I come with a great deal of respect,” Narasimhan told partners. “... And it’s amazing to see what you have done with coffee culture – the love you have for coffee and how we try and radiate that love to all the people around is amazing.&nbsp;(During my visit), I got to see the partners, the passion, the love for the company, the love for what you do.”

Over nearly 25 years, Starbucks has grown from one store in China to more than 6,200 across over 240 cities today and, on average, opens a new store about every nine hours, a feat Narasimhan attributes to Belinda Wong, chairwoman and chief executive officer of Starbucks China, and the strong all-Chinese leadership team. Wong, who has been with Starbucks for more than 20 of those years, is known not just for her business savvy – she regularly appears on lists of the most powerful businesswomen by Forbes and in Fortune – but also her passion for partners and communities.

Since January, before taking the helm as ceo, Narasimhan has been meeting virtually with Wong and members of the China Leadership Team each week so he could better understand the business.

“To Belinda and the China leadership team, I thank you,” he said, acknowledging their critical role that has made Starbucks a premiere brand in China through creating remarkable store experiences for customers, nurturing strong relationships with stakeholders and contributing to the specialty coffee industry. At the foundation of the company’s success is the leadership team’s commitment to caring for the 60,000 partners in China, with unprecedented investments such as critical illness insurance that covers not just Starbucks partners in China, but also their parents.

“I know what you and our China partners have been through over the last three years,” he told Wong and the leadership team. “… Thank you for keeping the faith. Thank you for remaining courageous. And thank you for continuing to build Starbucks China during that very difficult period. I deeply and personally thank all of you.”

Narasimhan stressed the company’s long-term commitment to China. “We have been here for 24 years. We want to be here for the next 25 and the next hundred beyond that. … I want you to know that that this is a long-term vision for us,” he said. “We have limitless possibilities in China – limitless.”

Limitless human connection

One of Starbucks priorities is to become truly global, Narasimhan said. Another is to drive innovation, which is something that China is at the forefront of doing – not only with the products that are sold but in building bridges that connect people, whether that’s at a popup store in Beijing (top photo) or creating an environment that inspires, such as the Starbucks heritage culture gallery store in Beijing where a regular customer often sketches and paints (bottom photo). “We’re in the business of human connections and the opportunities are truly limitless,” he said.

Sometimes the connections are not only limited to humans. Narasimhan also visited one of the pet-friendly stores in China (second row, far right), pioneered by Wong, which feature special menu items and seating areas where owners and their pets can be together.

Gathering together, honoring the past and future

Starbucks now has more than 6,200 stores in more than 240 cities across the Chinese mainland – but it all started with the first store in Beijing that opened nearly 25 years ago, a place Narasimhan visited during his trip (second row, left). “This is the place where Starbucks started and from where Starbucks has grown.”

He also visited the Xitieying Wanda signing store in Beijing, where partners led a coffee tasting with Narasimhan, which was conducted in sign language. They taught him to make a heart shape with his thumb and index fingers. The store is one of a dozen in China so far and embodies Starbucks promise that, when it’s at its best, the company is building bridges to a better future for partners who proudly wear the green apron.

“You mean a lot to Starbucks. You mean a lot to me,” he told partners at one of the open forums (top photo).

In each of the stores he visited, he made a point to greet every partner. Narsimhan is a fully trained barista himself who works in stores a half-day each month to stay close to the realities of working in a retail store. One of those he met was Ricky Gu, store manager at the Shanghai Jiayuting store.

“It’s great that we finally get to meet him in person,” said Gu. “After listening to his story, I can feel his identification with Starbucks culture and values. He is a great listener who remembers all our names and stories. Having such a leader gives me a lot of confidence in Starbucks future.”

After each event, partners flocked to the China Partner App to share their stories of meeting the new ceo:

“Laxman came and gave fist bumps to all our partners in the store. Every day at Starbucks is so warm and happy!” — Shawn Xiao, barista in Beijing Fun store

“I was proud to host Laxman at our first store in China. Laxman gave us a lot of love, warmth and confidence. We are more motivated than ever to work shoulder to shoulder to achieve a brighter future.” — Kelvin Zhang, shift supervisor, Beijing China World Mall 4 store

“Laxman was very warm and approachable. We took photos together, shouting out ‘we are family!’” — Jennie Zhu, store manager, Shanghai Bingo Plaza store

“Laxman highlighted the importance of focusing on store partners. He gave us a sense of warmth and belonging. The future is full of limitless opportunities because we have each other.” — Joy Gou, Shift Supervisor, Walmart North Linyi Road store, Shanghai

During Partner Open Forums held in Beijing and Shanghai, Narasimhan spoke to partners, sharing his vision and hopes for the future, enjoyed coffee tastings led by partners and answered questions from them including how many cups of coffee he drinks a day (seven, he said, “but then I didn’t sleep so now I’m at four”) and what his favorite coffee beverage is (Doppio macchiato, which reminds him of the coffee he grew up with in South India).

When a partner asked him if he has a motto that has guided him during his life, he said he does. “My motto is ‘Be yourself.’ Because when you be yourself, and you operate in an environment, where you create the license for people to look up and speak and be themselves, magic happens. So thank you for letting me be me. And thank you for being you. And together, we can make magic.”

“We feel so much closer to Laks after his China visit,” said Raymond Zhang, Shanghai Support Center partner. “We hope it has given him a vivid, firsthand experience of the rapid changes and development in China over the years. And we hope he will visit his Starbucks China family more often in the future.”

“We are at our best when we give more than we take from the environment,” said Narasimhan. During his visit, he stopped by several Greener Stores, including the first Greener Store in China, located in Shanghai. The Greener Stores in China are among the 3,500 around the world designed to meet specific standards across environmental impact areas.

At one store, partners presented him with an apron they’d designed for him to commemorate his visit, which included a drawing of him.

Listening and learning at the Starbucks Support Center in Shanghai

At the Starbucks Support Center in Shanghai, Narasimhan met with partners to ask questions, listen, learn and immerse more deeply into the China business. He visited each team, from coffee and marketing to R&amp;D to store development, technology, finance, human resources and more to see how cross functional collaboration comes to life in China.

He said that one of the most important things he’s learned in life is that “you have to be humble. You've got to be humble about the fact that you don't know everything. You have to be able to ask questions, you’ve got to be yourself. But the real thing here is you've just got to continuously learn.”

Meeting customers where they are at

Starbucks commitment to connection isn’t limited to inside the stores. In China, Starbucks offers an innovative new curbside pickup service (top photo) delivery (second row, left), and a range of packaged coffee and ready-to-drink beverages at grocery stores (second row, right) to meet customers wherever they are at.&nbsp;

Even just a moment is an opportunity, Narasimhan said. “You see it in their eyes, when you hand the cup off to them, you know, we are in the business of human connection. So, when you hand that cup over, and you say their name ... what you realize is you've made a connection, you have made a change, you have uplifted their every day.”

Narasimhan also visited the China Coffee Innovation Park, which will open this fall in in Kunshan, about an hour from Shanghai. Starbucks has invested more than $150 million to construct the innovation park, Starbucks largest manufacturing investment outside of the U.S. and its first in Asia. It will feature one of the first sustainable roasting plants in Starbucks global network, smart supply chain operations enabled by state-of-the-art technologies, and an immersive Experience Center that will showcase sustainable practices across the “Bean to Cup” coffee journey to all visitors.

Leaning into the joy of human connection

“We need to have some fun, because this is a fun business,” said Narasimhan, shown with Wong, during a visit to a Starbucks Reserve® store in Shanghai (top photo). “... We believe in joy, we believe in belonging, we believe in care.”

Narasimhan told partners that sharing ourselves and our stories connects us as people. “It's your stories that enliven the fabric that make up this company -- that enlivens the green apron that all of us wear. At the end of the day, with every cup, with every conversation, with every community, what you can do is you can nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection.”

The trip to Shanghai and Beijing was Narasimhan’s first visit outside of North America since he became chief executive officer of Starbucks on March 20.

Starbucks ceo Laxman Narasimhan visits partners in China

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2023/starbucks-ceo-laxman-narasimhan-visits-partners-in-china/

Small changes make a big difference. In Japan, Starbucks is launching the Tumbler Club, a community for customers passionate about sustainability to join the company as it works to give more than it takes from the planet. Making reusables fun and easy to use also helps advance Starbucks goal to reduce landfill waste by 50% by 2030.

Becoming a member of the Tumbler Club is easy – simply bring a clean reusable cup to your local Starbucks store and present it when making an order. From May 31 to June 30, customers bringing their own cups can also receive an increased discount of 55 yen ($0.40 USD) up from the 22 yen ($0.16 USD) they regularly receive. In addition, Starbucks Japan will be counting the number of times customers choose to reuse on the Tumbler Club website, with special prizes for participating Starbucks Rewards members when the total reaches 30,000, 50,000 and 70,000 cups saved. 

Featuring the refreshing flavor and aroma of locally-grown Setouchi lemons, the new seasonal Setouchi Lemon Cake Frappuccino® blended beverage is the official drink of Tumbler Club. Like a sip of sunshine, lemon cake is blended with rich milk and tangy lemon sauce, then topped with pillowy whipped cream, lemon-flavored icing and crunchy sugar pearls. Take home the new drink in a limited-edition reusable cup designed exclusively for the Tumbler Club, available while supplies last at Starbucks stores across Japan starting May 31.

How to join Starbucks new Tumbler Club in Japan : Starbucks Stories Asia

How to join Starbucks new Tumbler Club in Japan

Starbucks Japan is launching a community for customers to help give more than we take from the planet.

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Starbucks is committed to strengthening customer experience, promoting sustainability and uplifting communities

Since the opening of the first store in Ho Chi Minh City, Starbucks Vietnam has been nurturing human connection and uplifting local communities with every cup of coffee served. This year, Starbucks Vietnam celebrates its 10-year anniversary with the unveiling of the newly renovated New World store, the first store opened in the market, and nationwide anniversary promotions from January to May. In the decade since the brand entered the market, Starbucks Vietnam is currently in 8 Vietnamese cities/provinces and has over 1,200 partners (employees) in 92 stores delivering the Starbucks Experience every day.

Paying tribute to Vietnam’s heritage and culture, many Starbucks® stores in Vietnam feature unique architectural styles and traditional elements, such as the Starbucks® Tran Hung Dao store in Hoi An.

"I am proud of our accomplishments over the past decade and this is just the beginning. This journey would not have been possible without the support of our customers and partners. We are very grateful and want to share our achievements with them," said Patricia Marques, general manager of Starbucks Vietnam. "We look forward to the future of Starbucks in Vietnam – quality, elevated coffee experiences for our customers, to contribute positively to our communities and give more than we take from the planet will remain our key priorities."

The 10th anniversary celebration of Starbucks Vietnam kicked off in January. First-phase promotions included a range of limited-edition merchandise, customers programs and giveaway activities. The second-phase started in May, featuring the unveiling of the newly renovated Starbucks® New World, the first Starbucks® store in Vietnam. 

The special space has been transformed into a brand new, cozy and beautifully-designed coffee house. Customers will have access to a wide range of merchandise items, all while enjoying their favorite Starbucks beverages on this unique commemoration.

Starbucks Vietnam’s Commitment to Communities and Sustainability

Besides a decade of coffee inspiration for customers, Starbucks Vietnam, together with its partners, has also created more positive impact to the local communities it serves.

Communities Since 2016, Starbucks Vietnam has supported in providing professional and life-skills training to young people through its partnership with nonprofit organizations such as <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2016/starbucks-vietnam-youth-training/">The Asia Foundation and REACH</a>.

In 2023, Starbucks Vietnam began a new initiative with Youth Social Work Club through a $20,000 USD Global Community Impact Grant from The Starbucks Foundation to support 150 Vietnamese youth with skills to help them integrate into the community and seek employment.

Together with partners who volunteered their time, Starbucks Vietnam has also extended efforts to work with charitable organizations and supported community projects such as:

Sustainability In support of Starbucks 2030 goals of reducing carbon, water, and waste footprints by 50%, Starbucks Vietnam also focuses on sustainability efforts.

Starbucks celebrates 10 years in Vietnam : Starbucks Stories Asia

This year, Starbucks Vietnam celebrates its 10-year anniversary with the unveiling of the newly renovated New World store, the first store opened in the market, and nationwide anniversary promotions.

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https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2023/starbucks-celebrates-10-years-in-vietnam/

Starbucks celebrates 10 years in Vietnam

For the first time since 2019, 15 Starbucks barista competitors from across Asia Pacific, including China and Japan, came together in person in Bali, Indonesia, the home of <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2019/starbucks-opens-one-of-a-kind-coffee-sanctuary-in-bali-indonesia/">Starbucks Reserve Dewata Coffee Sanctuary</a> and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/coffee-experience-center-at-starbucks-dewata/">Coffee Experience Center</a>.

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The Regional Barista Championships showcase barista skill and craft, providing an opportunity to create moments of connection and storytelling over coffee, and celebrate the limitless possibilities for human connection that Starbucks baristas create every day in the communities they serve.

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Anchored in the dedication to celebrating our partners’ love for coffee, the competition has evolved year-on-year, with a pivot to a virtual format during the pandemic. Now, through a combined multi-channel approach that offers the best of in-person and virtual connections, Starbucks is bringing this much-loved event to partners and customers around the world.

Three finalists competed in the Grand Final with Allen, a shift supervisor from Starbucks Taiwan market, taking home the coveted title of Regional Barista Champion 2023.

Allen, the competitor from Taiwan, serves a pour over during the final round of competition.

Coffee craft and passion take center stage at Asia Pacific Regional Barista Championships 2023 in Bali, Indonesia : Starbucks Stories Asia

Coffee craft and passion take center stage at Asia Pacific Regional Barista Championships 2023 in Bali, Indonesia

After months of market competition, the best Starbucks baristas in Asia came together in Bali, Indonesia.

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This summer, Starbucks is collaborating with Pantone, one of the most iconic brands in fashion and design, to introduce an exclusive Pantone-inspired merchandise collection available at select Starbucks® stores across Asia Pacific.

Designed with vibrant colors and eye-catching risograph-style botanical illustrations, the new Starbucks® + Pantone™ collection includes six types of drinkware and four lifestyle accessories in Pantone colors – Knockout Pink, Brilliant Blue, and Cockatoo – infusing playful energy to power customers’ summer activities.

The Pantone color Knockout Pink evokes unapologetic and ambitious vibes, with the color Brilliant Blue showing off confidence and composure, and the color Cockatoo representing fresh and creative energy. The vibrant and bright hues featured in this Pantone-inspired collection inspires bold ideas and new experiences just in time for the summer season.

“The way Pantone brings color to life in our world is a perfect match to Starbucks passion for bringing uplifting connection and bright moments to our customers,” said Erin Silvoy, vice president, Product and Marketing, Starbucks Asia Pacific. “The Starbucks® + Pantone™ partnership brings new energy to our customers to be creative and playful in exploring new ways to express themselves this summer.” 

The limited-edition collaboration will be available starting May 16 at select Starbucks® stores across the Asia Pacific region, including Australia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan, while supplies last.

Explore bold and playful summer colors with the new STARBUCKS® + PANTONE™ merchandise collection : Starbucks Stories Asia

Explore bold and playful summer colors with the new STARBUCKS® + PANTONE™ merchandise collection

Starbucks is collaborating with Pantone for exclusive merchandise popping with bright summer colors.

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https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2023/starbucks-pantone/

TATA Starbucks Pvt. Ltd. today announced a range of new offerings to customers across its more than 341 Starbucks stores in India, including an exciting lineup of locally inspired new beverages, a completely refreshed food menu selection, and new small cup size ‘Picco’. The new product offerings demonstrate TATA Starbucks long-term investment to the growth of one of its fastest-growing markets and its commitment to deliver the signature Starbucks Experience in ways that best connects with India’s customers.

The expansion of the new offerings nationwide follows TATA Starbucks successful trial of localized menus in Bengaluru, Bhopal, Gurgaon, and Indore in July last year, which was met with positive feedback from customers.

“We have had a great year in FY23 with strong revenues and are now present in 43 cities of India," said Sushant Dash, CEO, TATA Starbucks Pvt Ltd. "As we expand our presence in Tier 2 and 3 cities, we need to become a more familiar and accessible brand for our consumers. Our pilot where we introduced a range of familiar beverages and a revamped food menu yielded fantastic results from both new and existing customers, which gave us the confidence to expand and go national. As we look ahead, we remain dedicated to our vision of being the coffee destination of choice for customers in India. Our unwavering commitment to delivering personalized experiences has propelled Starbucks to become one of the most loved brands in India. We recently celebrated 10 years of TATA Starbucks, and as we gear up for the next stage of growth in India, we continue to look at ways to elevate the Starbucks Experience for customers in India."

The new offerings have been launched and are headlined by a series of Indian-inspired new beverages including the delicious South Indian Filter Coffee, Masala Chai, Elaichi Chai, and a range of exciting Signature Milkshakes. The new food menu also offers a range of freshly assembled sandwiches that are inspired by the local cultural taste and regional favorites. For first time coffee drinkers and customers new to Starbucks, the new 6oz small cup size ‘Picco’ offered for 6 hot beverages including Cappuccino, Latte, Filter Coffee, Masala Chai, Elaichi Chai and Hot Chocolate, is the perfect option to kick start their Starbucks journey.

The announcement also marks the national launch of the brand’s new campaign - #ItStartsWithYourName. The campaign celebrates the spirit of connection, warmth and personalization that welcomes everyone as soon as they step into a Starbucks store and makes them feel at home. It celebrates the love that binds together families in India.

Since entering the Indian market in 2012, TATA Starbucks now operates more than 341 stores across 43 cities with over 3,800 partners (employees) who proudly wear the green apron, serving more than 400,000 customers in India every week.

Tata Starbucks introduces delicious new beverages and food in India : Starbucks Stories Asia

Tata Starbucks introduces delicious new beverages and food in India