Located in the heart of Penang’s historic Deaf community, the Penang Signing Store serves as the Third Place for community events and celebrations of Deaf culture

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New store is Starbucks fourth Signing Store globally and second in Malaysia, the first Starbucks market to launch the Signing Store format

Today, Starbucks announced the opening of the Penang Signing Store, its second in Malaysia and fourth globally, as part of its ongoing commitment to inclusion, accessibility and diversity. Located in the heart of Penang’s historic Deaf community, the store creates new career opportunities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing partners (employees), while also serving as the Third Place for Penang’s long-established Deaf community to host sign language workshops and career development seminars. 

“The overwhelming success of our first Signing Store in Kuala Lumpur in 2016 demonstrated the importance of representation and belonging in the workplace,” said Sydney Quays, managing director of Starbucks Malaysia &amp; Brunei. “It taught us how valuing different perspectives not only contributes back to the business, but also make meaningful changes that enriches lives. The reason that we chose Penang is because of its rich culture and historic relationship with the Deaf community in Malaysia, spanning more than 50 years.”

Starbucks Malaysia partnered with the Penang Deaf Association to support the professional training and development of the store’s partners, including internship opportunities and sign language classes for the store’s seven hearing partners. “We’re very excited to partner with Starbucks to provide richer career opportunities and sense of belonging to the Deaf community in Penang,” said Razman Tan Abdullah, President of the Penang Deaf Association. “Starbucks stores are a place for many kinds of people to come together, and we’re proud to invite everyone to experience the vibrant Deaf culture that has thrived here in Penang for over 70 years.”

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The three-story, 4,600 sq. ft. store in Penang showcases how digital innovation enhances inclusive design. Touchpoints around the store have been designed specifically to meet the needs of Deaf and Hard of Hearing partners and customers, including visual alarms, digital trays, and point-of-sale systems with an attached customer display.

The store design celebrates Deaf culture with a mural wall created by local Deaf artist Lim Anuar. Exclusive Signing Store merchandise will also be available, including the first Starbucks Cards to feature Starbucks in sign language, as well as mugs and keychains.

The U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir, attended the opening ceremony and praised Starbucks Malaysia’s innovative Signing Store format, which launched in the U.S. in 2018 and China in May 2019. “Starbucks should be lauded for their proactive approach to diverse hiring. It has set a positive example of how an American company can learn and adapt to a program that was initiated right here in Malaysia, by Malaysians. I continue to take great pride in promoting the commitment to inclusion and the outstanding corporate social responsibility work showcased by American firms like Starbucks that operate in Malaysia.”

“As a global brand, Starbucks believes that one of the most important contributions we can make is to serve as a catalyst for positive impact in the communities where we do business,” said John Culver, group president, International, Channel Development and Global Coffee &amp; Tea. “For nearly 50 years, we’ve aimed to live by our Mission and Values everywhere around the world. We are proud of our partners in Malaysia for taking the lead in inclusion, accessibility and diversity, and inspiring us to expand the Signing Store format around the world.”

In conjunction with the launch day, the store will offer the Vanilla Fig Frappuccino® blended beverage at a special opening price. For each purchase, Starbucks Malaysia will donate RM1 (0.24USD) to the Penang Deaf Association to develop programs that will support the community.

Since Starbucks opened its first store in Malaysia in 1998, Starbucks Malaysia has grown to 300 stores across 58 cities, employing more than 4,000 partners.

Starbucks partner takes customer's order in Malaysian Sign Language at Signing Store in Penang

Starbucks new Signing Store creates development opportunities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing partners in Penang, Malaysia.

Career Opportunities Expand in Malaysia with New Starbucks Signing Store : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks Stories Asia

Career Opportunities Expand in Malaysia with New Starbucks Signing Store

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Tata Starbucks creates opportunities for women through flexible employment programs as part of ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Achievement celebrates Tata Starbucks 7th anniversary in India, reaffirming commitment to growth and progressive impact for Indians

Today, Tata Starbucks Private Limited announced that women now make up 29 percent of its workforce, a key gender diversity milestone toward its goal to achieve 40 percent gender diversity by 2022. Tata Starbucks continues to promote opportunity for women within the company, boosting the share of female partners (employees) from 14 percent in FY14 to 29 percent in FY19, a figure that continues to grow. 

In addition, Tata Starbucks announced it has achieved 100 percent pay equity for women and men, a landmark accomplishment that demonstrates Starbucks commitment to gender equality globally. Starbucks pay equity principles are based on equal footing, transparency, and accountability. Tata Starbucks continues to create opportunities for female partners through an ongoing series of initiatives focused on an inclusive and diverse workforce to drive business growth 

“By investing in our partners and fostering diversity across our organization, Tata Starbucks is able to reflect the demographics of the communities we serve across India,” said Navin Gurnaney, ceo, Tata Starbucks Private Limited. “Diversity and inclusion are an integral part of our business that makes us a better organization.”

One of Tata Starbucks diversity initiatives in India, Brew of Balance, creates opportunities for women returning to the workforce from maternity leave. The program offers flexible employment options including a 5-day work schedule, childcare assistance, access to the Women Inclusion Network @ Starbucks platform, as well as family and sabbatical leave.

“This achievement is the result of years of work and commitment. We believe it is important, as a company of our scale, to help bring more attention to this critical issue for women in India,” said Naveen Kumar Nerlaje, head of Partner Resources. “Starbucks has consistently led our industry on issues like pay equity, but there is still even more we can do ensure women in India excel in the workplace. To achieve 40 percent gender diversity by 2022, we are focused on achieving equal representation at the hiring stage by ensuring a balanced slate of candidates.”

Tata Starbucks is recognized as one of the top 100 Best Companies to Work &amp; top 75 Best Workplaces for Women in India by the Great Place to Work® Institute in 2019, and one of the 100 Best Companies for Women in India by Working Mother and Avtar for three years running. 

The announcement marks Tata Starbucks seventh anniversary in India. Since entering the market in 2012 as 50/50 joint venture between Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Global Beverages Limited, Tata Starbucks has expanded to operate 167 stores and employs more than 2,000 partners across India. As Tata Starbucks continues to grow, so does its commitment to be a positive force in contributing to the future success of Indians. 

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About Tata Starbucks Private Limited

Starbucks entered the Indian market in October 2012 through a 50/50 Joint Venture with Tata Global Beverages and currently operates 167 stores in India across Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Pune, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad and Surat through a network of over 2,000 passionate partners (employees). Starbucks stores are operated by the joint venture, TATA Starbucks Private Limited, and branded as Starbucks Coffee - “A Tata Alliance.”

Female partner offers beverage to customer in India

TATA Starbucks Achieves 100% Pay Equity, Approaches 30% Gender Diversity Milestone in India; Aims For 40% Gender Diversity By 2022 : Starbucks Stories Asia

TATA Starbucks Achieves 100% Pay Equity, Approaches 30% Gender Diversity Milestone in India; Aims For 40%  Gender Diversity By 2022

Tata Starbucks creates opportunities for women through flexible employment programs as part of ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion Achievement celebrates Tata Starbucks 7th anniversary in India, reaffirming commitment to growth and progressive impact for Indians Today, Tata Starbucks Private Limited announced that women now make up 29 percent of its workforce, a key […]

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