From April 28th, coffee lovers can now enjoy their favorite beverages on the beautiful white-sand beach at the Starbucks Beach House Sun Primavera in Phu Quoc, the first Starbucks store on the island.

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Known for its enticing white-sand beaches, Phu Quoc is the peaceful oasis to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Located right at the seashore, the Beach House Sun Primavera store offers more than 140 seats inside and at the spacious outdoor patio where customers are treated to the stunning panoramic view of the infinite ocean which intersects with the horizon, evoking a sense of calm and tranquility.

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To ensure customers enjoy deliver the signature Starbucks Experience surrounded by the vibrant nature of Phu Quoc, the Beach House Sun Primavera store features a design theme that delivers a joyful and inviting beach vibe. With shades of blue accent colors and a selected earthy palette, the store is a celebration of the beauty of the sky and the sea just outside the store.

“We are excited to bring the coffee culture of Starbucks to one of the most beautiful islands in Vietnam—Phu Quoc Island. The design of the store is specially focused on bringing the best coffee experience in an environment that reflects the inherent nature of the island,” said Patricia Marques, general manager of Starbucks Vietnam. “Our intention is to let our customers and partners immerse and relax in this inviting atmosphere, like in the natural home of our siren.”

Starbucks store at the Sun Primavera opens daily from 9h00 – 22h00 at FB2-03, Zone 2 Restaurant Area, Gateway Residential, An Thoi Ward, Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang Province.

Starbucks Vietnam celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Since the opening of the first Starbucks store in the market in 2013, there are now 91 Starbucks stores across eight cities/provinces in Vietnam.

Starbucks Opens First Store in Phu Quoc, Vietnam : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks Opens First Store in Phu Quoc, Vietnam

Coffee lovers can now enjoy their favorite beverages on the beautiful white-sand beach at the Starbucks Beach House Sun Primavera in Phu Quoc, the first Starbucks store on the island.

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The Starbucks Foundation has a 25-year history of investing in communities across the U.S. and globally. In March 2022, The Starbucks Foundation announced a $30 million investment by 2030 in its Global Community Impact Grants portfolio designed to drive locally relevant impact in the communities where Starbucks operates around the world. In the second year of the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/global-community-impact-grants/">Global Community Impact Grants</a> program, The Starbucks Foundation awarded grants to more than 90 nonprofits, all nominated by Starbucks international licensees, and will reach communities in 46 markets. Between grants and co-investment from international licensees, more than $3.8 million was awarded in 2023 for causes aligned to The Starbucks Foundation’s community impact goals, including youth workforce development, inclusion &amp; diversity, social services, hunger relief, economic opportunity, and coffee-, tea- and cocoa-growing communities. In Asia Pacific, the Foundation awarded 29 grants across 14 markets for causes ranging from youth empowerment and hunger relief, to promoting economic opportunity to workforce development, and social services. Grants were awarded to nonprofit organizations in Australia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/global-community-impact-grants/">Learn more</a> about the program and organizations we support in Asia Pacific and across the globe. Highlights from select grantees in Asia Pacific include:

ChildFund Korea, South Korea The Starbucks Youth Leadership Program, supported by Starbucks Korea’s first Community Store, is a holistic 4-year program that partners with ChildFund Korea to offer academic scholarships through college graduation. The program also provides a unique curriculum focused on building business acumen, collaborative communications, and social consciousness as part of its aim to prepare young people from disadvantaged backgrounds for educational and career opportunities in Korea’s economy.

 With additional support from The Starbucks Foundation, over 80 students have been supported through the program and new students will be selected in May 2023. The most recent Global Community Impact Grant will support the current group of students to gain business development skills and other training for career development over the coming year.

Gawad Kalinga, Philippines As part of the Global Community Impact Grants, The Starbucks Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to Gawad Kalinga’s Kusina ng Kalinga in April 2022 supporting nutrition for 600 youth in two communities in Quezon City and Laguna, as well as providing nutrition education and support for building and maintaining community vegetable gardens. Starbucks Philippines donated an additional $25,000 each to the Philippine FoodBank Foundation and Gawad Kalinga to expand its hunger relief programs in 2023 in the Visayas region. The most recent Global Community Impact Grant from The Starbucks Foundation will enable Gawad Kalinga to provide nutritious meals to an additional 1,200 children, host family health and nutrition educational workshops, and train 30 Community Food Farmers to build vegetable gardens.

Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, Indonesia

In September 2022, The Starbucks Foundation and Starbucks Indonesia partnered with Habitat for Humanity Indonesia to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure in Bojong Koneng village in Bogor district, West Java, Indonesia. Over 70 Starbucks Indonesia partners (employees) and Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, helped to build 21 toilets to support the wellbeing, health, and resilience of this rural community. 

Habitat for Humanity Indonesia is a long-time partner on disaster relief. Most recently, The Starbucks Foundation supported rebuilding efforts in Cianjur West Java, after an earthquake struck in November 2022. This included providing temporary shelter to families, as well as latrines for impacted communities. The most recent Global Community Impact Grant will help Habitat for Humanity improve wellbeing, health status, and resiliency of the Karawang community in West Java through safe and decent housing and household WASH improvements for low-income families. 

Scholars of Sustenance Foundation (SOS), Thailand The Scholars of Sustenance Foundation’s Rescue Kitchen provided more than 430,000 meals to communities from October 2022 to March 2023, with the support of a Global Community Impact Grant. Fifty partners assisted in these efforts by preparing meals for Klong Ladpachee and Wat Ampawa communities. The most recent Global Community Impact Grant will further expand the Rescue Kitchen’s network through a “cooking hero” training for community volunteers that will increase community access to nutritious food. The Global Community Impact Grant complements Starbucks Thailand’s FoodShare program which has donated more than 6,500 kilograms of surplus food, representing nearly 28,000 meals to communities in need, in January to March 2023.

Supporting Economic Opportunity, Youth Workforce Development, Hunger Relief and Social Services in Asia Pacific : Starbucks Stories Asia

Supporting Economic Opportunity, Youth Workforce Development, Hunger Relief and Social Services in Asia Pacific

In Asia Pacific, the Starbucks Foundation awarded 21 grants across 12 markets for causes ranging from youth empowerment and hunger relief to promoting economic opportunity to workforce development to hunger relief to social services.

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Japan is Starbucks third global market to introduce Oleato™ beverages, bringing together the unexpected combination of high quality arabica coffee and Partanna® extra virgin olive oil as “The New Coffee Ritual”

Starbucks announced today the launch of an innovative line of coffee beverages called “Oleato™” an innovative alchemy of Starbucks® finest arabica coffee infused with Partanna® extra virgin olive oil on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at more than 60 select stores across Japan including Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo.

Following the February debut of&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2023/introducing-starbucks-oleato-a-revolutionary-new-coffee-ritual/">Oleato™ beverages in Italy</a> and March launch at the Starbucks Reserve® Roasteries in Chicago, Seattle and New York, and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2023/starbucks-oleato-beverages-arrive-at-select-stores-in-the-us/">select stores in the United States</a>, Starbucks third global launch market for the beverage line will be in Japan, where Starbucks began its journey as a global brand outside the North America more than 26 years ago.

Like the iconic Starbucks latte, the origin of Oleato™ beverages began in Italy. While travelling in Italy in the summer of 2022, Howard Schultz, chairman emeritus and board member, Starbucks Coffee Company, came across a generations-old family tradition of enjoying a spoonful of extra virgin olive oil each day as an uplifting ritual. Today, the founder joins partners (employees) and customers in Tokyo for the unveil of this new, transformational ritual in coffee to Japan.

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“Since we first launched in Milan and now in select U.S. markets, the partner pride and customer enthusiasm for Oleato™ has far exceeded our expectations. As we introduce this new coffee innovation to Japan, my time here this week in Tokyo reminds me of the enduring and global relevancy of community, connection, and passion for both coffee and craft,” said Schultz. “We are thrilled to introduce to the Japanese market the next revolution in coffee that brings together an alchemy of nature’s finest ingredients – Starbucks arabica coffee beans and Partanna cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. Oleato™ has opened our eyes to fresh new possibilities for Starbucks.”

“We are excited to bring Starbucks latest beverage innovation to customers in Japan,” said Takafumi Minaguchi, chief executive officer, Starbucks Japan. “Our customers are eager to explore new ways to enjoy their Starbucks Experience. We believe that this transformational innovation of two unexpected ingredients will exceed their expectations and uplift their cup with an extraordinary new flavor.”

Oleato™ beverages are a line of innovative coffee beverages that brings together the unexpected – Starbucks arabica coffee deliciously infused with a spoonful of Partanna cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil. The harmony made possible by the unexpected combination results in a velvety smooth, delicately sweet, and lush coffee that uplifts each cup with extraordinary new flavor and texture. Using only extra virgin olive oil thoughtfully selected and blended to pair perfectly with Starbucks coffee, Oleato™ beverages provide a new coffee ritual like no other.

With its uniquely nutty and slightly sweet flavors and the rich smoothness of a buttery caramel, Partanna olive oils are natural complements to Starbucks coffee. Whether enjoyed hot or cold, the surprisingly luxurious, textural experience is like none other.

Taku Shimizu, group manager, Beverage Development, leading the introduction of Oleato™ beverages to Japan said, “I was thrilled about the launch in Japan of Oleato™ which brings together an alchemy of nature’s finest ingredients, coffee and olive oil. We’ve exercised our creativity to find a way to introduce Oleato™ beverages to Japan while keeping the surprising and inviting experience of its Italian inspiration. With these unique flavors and textures, I am confident that the delicious experience of Oleato™ beverages made possible by Starbucks innovation will become a new coffee ritual of our customers.” 

The following Oleato™ beverages will be available at select stores in Japan starting April 20:

Oleato™ beverages available at the Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo and select Starbucks Reserve® stores

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Oleato™ beverages available at select stores across Japan

Since opening its first store in Ginza in 1996, Starbucks has opened more than 1,800 stores in Japan, operated by more than 51,000 partners who proudly wear the green apron. Starbucks continues to provide a premium Starbucks Experience to customers across Japan, with locally-relevant beverages like matcha and tea beverages, as well as innovations like seasonal Frappuccino® blended beverages. In 2019, Starbucks opened the Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo, a fully-immersive tribute to premium coffee quality, innovation and human connection, where extraordinary new coffee experience come to life for customers every day.

Oleato™ beverages arrive at select Starbucks stores in Japan on April 20 : Starbucks Stories Asia

Oleato™ beverages arrive at select Starbucks stores in Japan on April 20

Japan is Starbucks third global market to introduce Oleato™ beverages, bringing together the unexpected combination of high quality arabica coffee and Partanna® extra virgin olive oil.

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https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2023/oleato-beverages-arrive-in-japan/

Five Greener Stores across Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam are amongst the first in the Asia Pacific region to be certified, with over 20 more expected in 2023 With over 3,500 Greener Stores certified across 20 markets, Starbucks is on a path towards achieving its goal of 10,000 Greener Stores total by 2025 Greener Stores set a new benchmark in environmentally responsible retail for design, construction, and operations, poised to support the company’s 2030 goals of reducing carbon, water, and waste footprints by 50%

Starbucks today announced its first Greener Stores in the Asia Pacific region, as part of the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2023/starbucks-verifies-3500-greener-stores-globally/">company’s global expansion of its Greener Store Framework to over 3,500 stores in 20 markets</a>. Located in Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, the five stores are amongst the first of their kind in the company’s Asia Pacific region, with over 20 more expected to be certified this year. This latest round of certifications sets the company well on its way to achieving its goal of 10,000 Greener Stores globally by 2025.

In support of Starbucks 2030 goals of reducing carbon, water, and waste footprints by 50%, the open-source Greener Stores Framework was co-developed with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The framework 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.

“We're excited to continue expanding our Greener Store portfolio worldwide, a key step towards reaching our ambitious resource positive goals. Having been on a sustainability journey for many years now, we’ve already seen results of our Greener Stores in the United States where they first piloted. In fact, when compared to historic store practices, these Greener Stores have shown to deliver 30% water savings and 30% energy reduction,” said Michael Kobori, Starbucks chief sustainability officer. “With a company of Starbucks scale – any one action, no matter how small, has the potential for massive impact. We are heartened by our partners around the world who are stepping up to adopt our Greener Store standards. This is testament of their energy and passion for sustainability that continues to drive our innovation.”

Greener Stores: paving the way towards a more sustainable future

The new Greener Stores in the Asia Pacific region help reduce Starbucks environmental impact through performance-based standards that incorporate design and extend throughout the life of a store. Each Greener Store has a unique combination of sustainable features that qualify for third-party verification on a quarterly basis. This ranges from features like energy and water efficient equipment and appliances, low-emitting paints and sealants, Grounds for Your Garden program, as well as energy efficient HVAC temperature systems and more. Additionally, the new Greener Stores in Asia include elements that go beyond the standard to deliver more robust energy, carbon, water, and waste reductions.

Singapore’s first Greener Store is strategically located at Jurong Lake Gardens, a showcase for sustainable design and operations, set amidst lush greenery, restored wetlands and habitats for biodiversity. The Greener store itself is similarly designed with long-term, eco-conscious operations in mind, with responsible design, construction and operation, including energy and water efficiency.

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 Vietnam, the Greener Store is equipped with 100% LED lighting and sun shading features that reduce heat gain and energy consumption within the store. The store operates entirely on electricity and has a long-term contract to buy Renewable Energy Certificates to offset the energy used in stores.

“The new Greener Stores in the Asia Pacific region are poised to set a new standard in sustainable retail which we hope will accelerate our movement towards Starbucks resource positive goals,” said Scott Keller, senior vice president, Store Development &amp; Design. “As one of our fastest growing regions, we want to ensure that we are driving growth with a sustainable future in mind for our communities and planet – and Greener Stores are one of the ways that will help us achieve that vision.”

Starbucks also today announced its first in-region Greener Stores in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), as the company continues its global expansion of the Greener Store Framework to leverage its scale for good to accelerate the global movement towards a more sustainable future. The company is also expanding in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) by building all new stores in the region under the Greener Stores framework by the end of 2023 and going forward. In China and Japan, Starbucks plans to update its existing store portfolios by applying Greener Store standards. The aim for Starbucks China is to operate 2,500 Greener Stores in the market by 2025.

Starbucks has set bold global aspirations towards a resource-positive future and can only achieve its goals with the help of partners, customers, industry experts and advocates. The company continues to innovate new ways to reduce their impact on the environment and strive to give back more to the planet than they take from it.

Starbucks scales Greener Store expansion across Asia Pacific towards a more sustainable future : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks scales Greener Store expansion across Asia Pacific towards a more sustainable future

Located in Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, the five Greener Stores are amongst the first of their kind in the company’s Asia Pacific region, with over 20 more expected to be certified this year.

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Available at Starbucks® stores for a limited time across Asia, reignite summer fun with Starbucks latest beverages.

NEW! STARBUCKS® BELGIUM CHOCOLATE FRAPPUCCINO BLENDED BEVERAGE

Embrace summer with the Belgium Chocolate Coffee Frappuccino® blended beverage. This summer stunner features a blend of rich chocolate sauce and coffee, mixed with Belgium chocolate shavings for added texture. The beverage comes topped with chocolate whipped cream and more Belgium chocolate shavings for extreme chocolatey goodness. Available as a hot, iced or blended handcrafted beverage.

NEW! STARBUCKS® BELGIUM CHOCOLATE NITRO COLD BREW

Make every sunny day count with the Belgium Chocolate Nitro Cold Brew. Enjoy the velvety combination of sweetened smooth coffee topped with creamy chocolate cream and dusted with Belgium chocolate shavings as you bask in summer fun. Available as an iced handcrafted beverage.

NEW! STARBUCKS® CANTALOUPE CREAM FRAPPUCCINO BLENDED BEVERAGE

Enjoy a piece of melon heaven with the Cantaloupe Cream Frappuccino blended beverage. A delectable combination of fruity melon syrup blended with milk and ice, layered on top of a splash of green-colored melon powder, resembling a slice of fresh cantaloupe. Topped with fluffy whipped cream, cantaloupe sauce drizzle and more melon chunks, each sip is refreshing all the way to the end. Available as a blended handcrafted beverage.

NEW! STARBUCKS® OKAYAMA PEACH APPLE STARBUCKS M:LK CREAM™ OOLONG

Cool off the heat with the light and refreshing Okayama Peach Apple M:LK Cream Oolong. This apple-lutely peachy summer beverage featuring aromatic Zen Clouds Oolong tea pairs perfectly with fruity peach apple sauce. Topped with a pillowy layer of plant-based cream topping made from luscious oat milk and rice whipped cream, get ready to transport yourself to Japan with every sip. Available as an iced handcrafted beverage.

NEW! STARBUCKS® OKAYAMA PEACH APPLE COLD BREW

Sip on the Okayama Peach Apple Cold Brew for that ultimate vacation feeling this summer. A perfect summertime pick-me-up blending a refreshing mix of peach apple sauce and lemonade, infused with a slow-steeped cold brew for a smooth feeling. Available as an iced handcrafted beverage.

Welcome the bright, sunny days ahead with Starbucks new summer beverages : Starbucks Stories Asia

Welcome the bright, sunny days ahead with Starbucks new summer beverages

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Last summer's popular seasonal drink The Melon of Melon Frappuccino® blended beverage returns to stores across Japan starting April 12. Bursting with even more pulp and fruity flavors, the returning favorite kicks off Starbucks Japan's PLAY▷ VIVID SUMMER campaign, featuring colorful new beverages, food and merchandise.

With nearly twice the amount of melon goodness as last year, The Melon of Melon Frappuccino® blended beverage is the sweetest part of summer captured in a cup. Featuring the rich, juicy flavors cantaloupe and honeydew, this beverage is blended with milk and topped with melon-flavored whipped cream for a bright melon aroma with every sip.

Customers in Japan can also enjoy a colorful food menu, including the new Orange &amp; Mango Cake, Strawberry Doughnut, and Banana Cream Doughnut.

Melon of Melon Frappuccino® blended beverage returns to Japan : Starbucks Stories Asia

Melon of Melon Frappuccino® blended beverage returns to Japan

Last summer's popular seasonal drink The Melon of Melon Frappuccino® blended beverage returns to stores across Japan.

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At more than 1,500 Starbucks stores across Japan, customers dining in-store will be able to enjoy iced beverages like Frappuccino® blended beverages and cold brew in new reusable resin glasses beginning Monday, March 27. 

This new option allows customers to enjoy the same convenient and elevated Starbucks Experience while contributing to Starbucks global commitment to reduce waste sent to landfill by 50 percent by 2030. The reusable in-store glasses are made of resin and come in two sizes, which are designed to serve any iced beverage from short to venti. In addition, customers can continue to make small changes for a big impact by bringing their personal cups for to-go orders or choosing mugs for hot drinks when dining in-store.

“This is a very significant step in the shift towards reusables, and the fact that these options are now available across Japan is very meaningful," said Daisuke Furukawa, director, Sustainability &amp; Purchasing, Supply Chain Division, Starbucks Coffee Japan. "Many of our customers have agreed, and we are beginning to see results that exceed our expectations. We expect that as warmer seasons approach, the use of in-store glasses will increase. We look forward to working together with our customers to provide their favorite beverage while reducing waste.”

New in-store reusable options at Starbucks in Japan : Starbucks Stories Asia

New in-store reusable options at Starbucks in Japan

At more than 1,500 Starbucks stores across Japan, customers can enjoy iced beverages in new reusable resin glasses.

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As part of its continued expansion in the market, Coffee Concepts (Laos) Limited, Starbucks operating licensee in Laos, today announced the opening of its second store, located in View Mall in the capital city, Vientiane. Following the opening of its first location in Parkson Laos just five months ago, customers can now also enjoy the Starbucks experience in the new store in View Mall.

The new Starbucks store located in View Mall, Laos, is designed to provide an immersive and visually striking coffee experience for customers and partners. The design is inspired by the colorful and vibrant underwater world, featuring soft light blue and orange accent colors which contrast with black textured paint. This creates a joyful and magical oasis-like atmosphere that is inviting for our customers and partners to connect over a cup of coffee. The sophisticated tube ceiling feature stretches over the ceiling from the entrance to the bar, and throughout the store, highlighting the bar as the focal point of the store that showcases coffee and connections.

To celebrate the opening of the second store in Laos, the first 100 Starbucks customers to visit the store will receive a drinkware gift upon purchase of a Grande or Venti size handcrafted beverage, as a token of gratitude.

Starbucks expands portfolio in Laos with new store opening in Vientiane : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks expands portfolio in Laos with new store opening in Vientiane

As part of its continued expansion in the market, Coffee Concepts (Laos) Limited, Starbucks operating licensee in Laos, today announced the opening of its second store, located in View Mall in the capital city, Vientiane. Following the opening of its first location in Parkson Laos just five months ago, customers can now also enjoy the […]

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In partnership with The Nature Conservancy, Starbucks China pledges to replenish at least 1.5 million tons of water annually to Qiandao Lake, beginning 2030

On World Water Day, Starbucks announced plans to become the first coffee retailer in China to pilot a water replenishment project to give back water used in operations. In partnership with global conservation organization The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Qiaodao Lake Water Replenishment Project will improve water quality in the local ecosystem by focusing on sustainable agriculture and wetlands restoration, replenishing at least 1.5 million tons<a href="#_ftn1" id="_ftnref1">[1]</a> of water a year by 2030, equivalent to about 600 Olympic sized swimming pools, enough to meet the annual water consumption needs of more than 23,000 people<a href="#_ftn2" id="_ftnref2">[2]</a>.

“As a coffee company, water is essential to Starbucks agricultural supply chain and store operations. We are committed to doing our part to protect China’s precious water resources. Working together with like-minded partners, our vision is to develop water replenishment into a viable solution, and inspire more parties to adapt it to other critical water basins across China,” said Julia Zhu, vice president, government affairs and social impact, Starbucks China.&nbsp;

“We are delighted to partner with Starbucks to pilot the Qiaodao Lake Water Replenishment Project. Water replenishment is an innovative concept that holds huge potential for complementing existing water conservation efforts and contributing to advancing sustainable economic and environmental development in China,” said Xu Jin, Director of Corporate Engagement, TNC China.

Water replenishment is a nature-based solution where companies ‘give back’ the amount of water used in operations by protecting surface water against human pollution, allowing water from rain, storms and rivers to naturally ‘replenish’ the local ecosystem.&nbsp;

The largest manmade freshwater lake in the Yangtze River Delta, Qiandao Lake is a vital water resource supplying potable water to 10 million residents in Hangzhou, Jiaxing and other neighboring areas in Zhejiang province. Traditional agriculture practices around the lake have led to increased soil erosion. Fertilizers and pesticides used also threaten the local water quality.

The Qiandao Lake Water Replenishment Project seeks to improve water quality through strengthening land management around the water source, while enhancing agricultural productivity. The project will work with farmers, providing toolkits around sustainable agricultural practices for three commonly cultivated crops in the area – pecans, tea and citrus – to help local farmers reduce soil erosion and surface runoff, while improving yield. With the support of academia and leading wetlands restoration experts, plans are also being created to restore two hectares of wetlands, equivalent to three standard size football fields. Restored wetlands will not only naturally filter off pollutants, but also comes with the additional benefit of enhancing local biodiversity.

The Qiaodao Lake Water Replenishment project marks Starbucks latest effort to reduce its water footprint to become a resource positive company. Globally, by 2030, the company is set to reduce and replenish water across its operations, packaging and agriculture supply chain by 50 percent, prioritizing action in some of the highest risk basins around the world. Come next month, Starbucks partners (employees) across the market will volunteer in water conservation activities as part of the company’s annual Global Month of Good program to serve local communities.

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<a href="#_ftnref1" id="_ftn1">[1]</a> Estimated based on 2022 pilot program by third party certification provider LimnoTech

<a href="#_ftnref2" id="_ftn2">[2]</a> China Water Resources Bulletin 2021, Ministry of Water Resources, People’s Republic of China

Starbucks Becomes First Coffee Retailer in China to Invest in Replacing Water Used in Stores : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks Becomes First Coffee Retailer in China to Invest in Replacing Water Used in Stores

On World Water Day, Starbucks announced plans in China to replenish at least 1.5 million tons of water annually to Qiandao Lake.

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Brand new retail channel for customers traveling by car to enjoy their Starbucks Experience “on the road,” starting at select locations in Beijing and Shanghai

Service to be rolled out to over 1,000 stores across China over the next year

Starbucks today announced the launch of a brand new retail channel in China – Starbucks Curbside – created in partnership with Amap, a leading provider of digital map content, navigation, and location-based solutions in the market. Featuring human-centered design that translates the unique Starbucks Experience for customers on the road, the innovative service offers customers in Beijing and Shanghai a customized and hassle-free way of enjoying their coffee routines amid rush hour traffic.

Starbucks Curbside leverages real-time route planning and positional tracking technologies to deliver the convenience of a drive-thru with minute precision. The technologies not only estimate customers’ arrival times at designated pick up points, but also automatically calculate the right time for Starbucks partners (employees) to craft and deliver the beverages. All customers have to do upon arrival at the designated pick up point is to roll down their car window to pick up their orders, without having to step out of their cars, thus enjoying the convenience of a drive-thru, minus the wait.

Inspired by customer insights and designed with their needs in mind, Starbucks Curbside was made possible through the ingenious combination of Starbucks extensive store network and strong operational muscle, with Amap’s precise route planning and time estimation technologies. A groundbreaking extension of the Starbucks third place from “in-store” and “at home” to “on the road,” the service is now available in 150 stores in Beijing and Shanghai, with plans to roll out to over 1,000 stores across China over the next year.

“Designed to help customers navigate the hustle and bustle of urban lifestyles in China, Starbucks Curbside exemplifies our relentless pursuit of innovation in service of our customers. We have created a revolutionary new retail channel, offering customers elevated convenience enabled by Amap’s precise geographical positioning and time estimation technologies,” said Judy Zhang, vice president of digital ventures, Starbucks China. “On arrival, customers only have to roll down their car windows to receive their favorite handcrafted Starbucks coffee on time and with the same quality, along with a warm greeting by our waiting Starbucks partner, just as if they were enjoying it in-store.” 

Before the journey starts, customers can key in their destination on Amap, click on the Starbucks Curbside icon and place their order at a Starbucks store along the route. A customized backend system will constantly update customers’ arrival times to the store in real time. It also automatically calculates the right times for partners to craft the beverages, and deliver to a designated pick up point, so that customers receive their beverages freshly brewed upon arrival with virtually no time wasted. Meanwhile, customers can also receive real time voice messages during their journey, updating them on the preparation status of their orders. The service has been launched in 100 stores in Beijing, covering most of the city, and is also being piloted in nearly 50 stores in Shanghai.

Since opening its first store in the Chinese mainland more than 20 years ago, Starbucks now operates <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/starbucks-opens-6000th-store-in-china/">more than 6,000 stores</a> in the market, with close to 60,000 partners who proudly wear the green apron. Starbucks China is one of Starbucks largest and fastest growing international markets, and continues to <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/starbucks-pioneers-innovations-bridging-physical-and-digital-experiences/">drive innovations</a> that integrate and elevate physical and digital customer experience.

Starbucks Partners with Amap to Pioneer Curbside Service in China : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks Partners with Amap to Pioneer Curbside Service in China

New retail channel for customers traveling by car to enjoy their Starbucks Experience “on the road,” starting at select locations in Beijing and Shanghai.

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https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2023/starbucks-china-curbside/

The newest seasonal menu from Starbucks in Japan is a blast from the past! With vibes of a retro American diner, the new beverages, food and merchandise available for a limited time at Starbucks stores across Japan bring a pop of color, dazzle and nostalgia.

The nostalgic wave continues with a range of limited-edition merchandise inspired by a classic American diner. From mugs, stemmed glasses and pins, check out offerings in store on online at the Starbucks Japan online shop.

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New retro-inspired drinks from Starbucks Japan : Starbucks Stories Asia

New retro-inspired drinks from Starbucks Japan

Get a blast from the past with a new Americana-inspired menu at Starbucks in Japan.

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https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2023/new-retro-inspired-drinks-from-starbucks-japan/

On this International Women’s Day, what better reason to celebrate our female partners (employees) from across Asia? Meet our 4 female partners who share the stories and passions behind their Starbucks journeys, explaining what continues to drive and motivate them to this day.

Rany Men, retail store manager, Cambodia

Although Rany Men’s hometown lies in the Cambodian province of Pursat, her Starbucks journey started in Siem Reap, where she moved to pursue her studies. Joining as a barista at Starbucks Siem Reap International Airport five years ago, she fell in love with the company – and has not looked back.

Rany is now a retail store manager in the coastal city of Sihanoukville, which she calls her “dream job”. She describes one of her proudest moments as introducing Cambodia’s country mug to tourists and seeing their reactions when she explains the cultural symbols and icons it depicts.

She is also particularly passionate about empowering others – just as she herself has been throughout her career at Starbucks. “I love that Starbucks commits to priorities such as a sustainable future, social inclusion and equity at the workplace, which encourage a female partner like me to become a leader for my own store,” Rany says.

“There’s endless access to coffee knowledge and skill development, which I can build for my future career and use to teach my juniors,” she continues. “Watching my partners grow stronger as they learn from new challenges and develop themselves has always been the biggest driver for me. All this encourages me to find myself in the right place to challenge the status quo and become the strong independent woman I am today.”

Ultimately, it all comes back to Rany’s dedication to Starbucks mission and values – which she encapsulates as “providing a welcoming place to everyone” and “inspiring partners to achieve the impossible.”

Amy Lai, coffee master, Hong Kong

A humble cup of coffee really can change someone’s life – as Amy Lai discovered when she purchased her very first Starbucks latte.

“Despite my hearing impairment, the partner serving me at the Starbucks store was very patient with all of my questions, which made me feel valued as a customer,” Amy says. It was this experience that inspired her to join Starbucks, beginning as a barista; nine years later and she is now a Coffee Master at the Starbucks Reserve Coffee Experience Bar in Hong Kong’s bustling Taikoo Cityplaza store.

Being hard of hearing has not held Amy back, with her teammates describing how her resilience, enthusiasm, and positive energy “make everyone’s day brighter”.

Amy herself relishes the sense of connection that Starbucks offers; she describes her greatest passion as not only hand-dripping coffee with different beans to create different flavors, but that she can then, “communicate and share these tastes with different customers.” Her most memorable moments are when she sees customers grow more familiar with Starbucks offerings and become regulars at her store.

“I think Starbucks mission and values are to provide a third place for customers to feel relaxed outside of their home and workplace,” Amy explains, “To create every cup of coffee with a familiar taste and to connect with customers with a human touch.”

Marie Valido, learning and development manager, the Philippines

Marie Valido’s action-packed Starbucks career began 24 years ago after graduating college and has encompassed countless roles – from barista and shift supervisor, to district manager, advanced classroom facilitator and global coffee master.

Having won Store Manager of the Year in 2009 and the District Manager Business Excellence Award in 2013, Marie’s love for learning propelled her to her current position – learning and development manager at Starbucks Philippines, where she is responsible for retail partner training and coffee leadership activities. This included heading the launch of a digital training program available for partners.

“For me, coffee is like music,” she says, “It brings people together, giving us endless opportunities to showcase what we can do and experience life-changing moments.”

One such moment came for Marie on an Origin Experience trip to Sumatra; she then shared her experiences with 300 coffee masters at a Starbucks leadership summit, where she took the opportunity to celebrate the hard work of those involved in growing, processing and purchasing coffee.

“I said every time you drink a cup of Starbucks coffee, remember that it has the stamp of the passion, dedication and above all, quality of all the people who have handled it,” she recalls. “Our work goes far beyond purchasing and ethically sourcing coffee – we help ensure that we enrich the lives of the people and community involved in the process.”

Of course, this includes the partners that Marie loves seeing progress under her training – and for fellow women in the industry, she has some sage advice.

“Grab every opportunity or make the opportunity to grow continuously; we have the ability to shape our path to success. And every time we are given a chance to showcase ourselves, put in the work and do our absolute best – because even if at times we fail, we still gain learning experiences that make us better than what we were yesterday.”

Phoenix Shih, category manager of the coffee and beverage team, Taiwan

When Phoenix Shih initially joined Starbucks on a university classmate’s invitation, she didn’t drink coffee; fast-forward 22 years and now her partners tell her that “what runs through my veins isn’t blood, but coffee!”

Phoenix’s decades at Starbucks have seen her progress to category manager of the coffee and beverage team in Taiwan, where she is responsible for Starbucks Reserve projects such as introducing Reserve coffee beans, certifying partners’ coffee making skills and promoting coffee education and engagement – including hosting coffee competitions and coaching competitors.

Under her training, partners in Taiwan have claimed runner-up title at Starbucks Asia Pacific Regional Barista Championships in 2017, third place in 2018, and been crowned Latte Art Champion three times. Phoenix fondly remembers watching the first-ever competitor she coached take to the stage in 2016 – “It moved me to tears because I realized how happy and proud I was to help my partner grow and achieve personal success.”

Regarding her own journey, she remarks, “I was fortunate enough to experience a variety of job opportunities within Starbucks, which allowed me to continue to grow.” As an authorized SCA Trainer and certified CQI Grader, Phoenix now judges local barista competitions such as the Taiwan Brewers Cup – and even plans her holidays around coffee expos. She says, “I am very lucky that my job is coffee and I want to spread that passion.”

Reflecting upon International Women’s Day, Phoenix shares the African proverb: “When you educate a man, you educate an individual; when you educate a woman, you educate a nation.” She continues, “As a woman in the coffee industry, I hope to use my contributions and influence to help more partners progress and develop, enabling them to make a positive impact and fulfil their potential.”

Celebrate International Women's Day with 4 inspiring partners from Asia Pacific : Starbucks Stories Asia

Celebrate International Women&#8217;s Day with 4 inspiring partners from Asia Pacific

Meet our 4 female partners who share the stories and passions behind their Starbucks journeys, explaining what continues to drive and motivate them to this day.

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https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2023/celebrate-international-womens-day-with-4-inspiring-partners-from-asia-pacific/