Managing through the Dynamics of COVID-19 across Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Updated as of 9 a.m. (GMT) August 07, 2020
Starbucks is Ready to Reintroduce Reusables across EMEA
Customers can safely use their reusable cups again in Starbucks stores across EMEA. Click here for your need-to-know about our simple, safe, and contactless procedure.
Updated as of 1 p.m. (GMT) April 08, 2020
Introducing the Starbucks EMEA Partner Emergency Relief Programme
Dear partners,
In every country Starbucks operates around the world, one thing remains true: you, our partners, are the beating heart of this company. Every day you create unique connections for our customers that keep them returning to Starbucks. As we continue to navigate the unprecedented impact of COVID-19, one of the things we keep hearing from customers: it’s their interactions with you each day that they miss most.
As has been the case since COVID-19 came into our lives, your health and well-being remain our highest priority. In addition to the steps we’ve already taken to provide stability during this challenging time, including guaranteeing pay and creating a Partner Care board, we are pleased to announce a new initiative aimed at providing additional financial relief to partners who need it the most.
The Starbucks EMEA Partner Emergency Relief Programme is a first-of-its-kind initiative that will support the extraordinary needs of partners affected by COVID-19 in markets across EMEA. This is part of a global programme and will be administered in partnership with the Emergency Assistance Foundation, with Starbucks seeding the fund for partners in certain disaster designated areas.
As each community faces unique response and recovery challenges, requests for support will be processed through the Emergency Assistance Foundation in collaboration with Starbucks EMEA to ensure eligible partners meeting the application requirements receive the emergency funds they need as quickly as possible. This will be available from Thursday to equity partners across the UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.
Qualified categories for fund grants include, but are not limited to, covering expenses such as those due to loss of household income, urgent travel needs, back-up child care, sudden loss of home, death of a family member or partner and related funeral expenses. On Thursday, your local Partner Resources teams will be sharing more detail on the programme, including qualification criteria, step-by-step instructions on how to apply and frequently asked questions.
The Starbucks EMEA Partner Emergency Relief Programme is also designed to support a wider population partners that wear the green apron – whether they work for a company-operated store or a licensed one. In partnership with the Emergency Assistance Foundation, we have created a platform where certain Starbucks licensees around the world can make this relief programme available to licensed partners working in their markets – and Starbucks will of course contribute funding to those local programmes. We are currently working with our licensees across the EMEA region to bring additional support to their partners.
At Starbucks, we have faced many challenges in the past, but we have always emerged stronger and more united by coming together. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our brand, and we hope this new programme is token of our ongoing commitment to you.
With gratitude and in partnership,
Martin Brok, president, Starbucks EMEA
Duncan Moir, president, Starbucks EMEA
Updated March 20, 2020
Starbucks to temporarily close all store across the UK. An update to Starbucks partners (employees) in the UK from Alex Rayner, general manager, Starbucks UK
Dear partners,
As we continue to navigate the scale and impact that coronavirus (COVID-19) has had on our daily lives, our partners (employees) and customers remain our greatest priority. We are constantly reviewing every aspect of our business to ensure we’re doing everything we can to help contain the outbreak.
Throughout this period, we have been closely following the guidance of government and health officials. In line with the Prime Minister’s directive this evening that all restaurants, pubs and cafes must close from tonight, we are closing Starbucks stores across the UK. To all our partners – please work to close your stores as soon as possible this evening.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to every single one of our partners in the UK for their determination, kindness and resilience throughout this truly unique period. The way you’ve showed up for each other and our customers during this time – creating a welcoming environment our stores – has given the nation a sense of community at a time we needed it the most.
But for now, the best thing for everyone will be to stay home and stay safe.
These are unprecedented times, and we know that such uncertainty is often met with anxiety around employment security. Caring for our partners is our first and highest priority, and we are working around the clock to support everyone impacted by this change.
Over the last few weeks, we’ve been working to put measures in place to support our partners in the field, having formed a Partner Board for Pay, Critical Care and Hardship Decisions group, who will meet regularly to review both individual cases and longer-term strategy surrounding partner support. Upon the closure of stores, we will immediately guarantee catastrophe pay for the next four weeks. Additionally, we are also working to understand the significant investments in worker pay security announced this evening by the Chancellor, and we will leverage these to the fullest extent possible to further support our partners.
You are not alone, and we will continue to do all we can to help you.
The global spread is affecting every one of us, and I am constantly inspired by you all for the ongoing dedication and teamwork over the past few weeks.
I will be in touch regularly during the coming weeks, and as always, stay safe.
Your partner,
Alex
Alex Rayner, general manager, Starbucks UK
Updated March 18, 2020
Starbucks begins temporary transition to “to go” model in UK stores; free coffee for all NHS, council and emergency services staff. An update to Starbucks partners (employees) in the UK from Alex Rayner, general manager, Starbucks UK
Dear partners,
As the situation with COVID-19 moves at pace, we continue to prioritise the health and well-being of our partners (employees) and customers as we adapt our business to do what we can to help stop the spread of the virus.
Since the beginning of the outbreak, we’ve been continuously evolving our in-store operations and establishing new protocols to increase our level of precaution – from proactively pausing the use of personal cups or tumblers, to tailoring our store layouts to accommodate increased space between customers.
We are prepared to respond to any emerging situation, so as the need for social distancing increases, we’ve taken the proactive decision to progress to the next stage of protocols in the UK. This includes closing select stores including ones in areas where people typically gather in large groups – such as cinemas and recreation parks – and temporarily moving to a “to go” only model across the rest of our UK estate, starting tomorrow.
Transitioning to a “to go” model means that we temporarily stopping the use of all seating – including all café and patio seating – although in-store ordering, Mobile Order & Pay, Drive Thru and Delivery will still be fully available to all customers where offered.
To help keep contact to a minimum, we will also be modifying the condiment bar and Mobile Order handoff plane, as well as moving to a cashless model across our store locations.
The COVID-19 situation is extremely dynamic, but we know from our experiences in other countries, as well as direction from healthcare officials, that the above practices are effective in helping to prevent the spread. I am confident that we can apply them across all our stores swiftly and seamlessly.
At the same time, I’ve been inspired by the countless public servants working tirelessly during this challenging time to ensure the health of our nation. In support of their courage, commitment and resilience, we will offer free filtered coffee to all NHS, council and emergency services staff, effective immediately.
We will continue to review all the facts and science available from government and health authorities, and act accordingly, as we navigate COVID-19 together as a nation
I am constantly inspired by our partners around the world who found new ways to continue serving their communities. Just like them, we will come out of these truly unchartered times stronger than ever before, with our customers safe in the knowledge that we always act with kindness and community in mind.
Thank you, partners, for everything you’ve done so far – I am so very proud to be your partner.
Alex Rayner
general manager, Starbucks UK
Updated March 13, 2020
Latest COVID-19 Impact in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. An update from Robert Lynch, vice president of Retail, Starbucks EMEA
As we continue to closely monitor the latest developments on the COVID-19 impact within the EMEA region, governments and health authorities are regularly introducing new guidance and measures to contain the virus. Starbucks is adjusting its operations accordingly on a market-by-market basis. To date, this includes:
- Closure of all stores across Italy
- Select store closures in Spain, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia
- Reduced operating hours at all stores in Austria
We remain focused on supporting our partners in each of these impacted areas and are working to ensure they have the resources they need to look after themselves and their families during this time of disruption.
We are actively following how the situation evolves across EMEA and will seek to play a constructive role in supporting local health officials and government leaders as they work on containment measures. We are also working closely with global Starbucks teams as we increase operational preparedness to lead our business through this unprecedented time. We will do so, as always, through the lens of our Mission and Values, putting our people first.
To our Starbucks partners impacted by these closures – thank you for leading with courage and passion during these difficult times; you continue to inspire us all.
And to our customers – thank you for support and understanding. We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause, and we look forward to welcoming you back in soon.
Updated March 10, 2020
Ensuring the Well-being of our Partners and Customers in Italy. Update from Robert Lynch, vice president of Retail, Starbucks EMEA
We’ve been closely monitoring the dynamic situation in Italy, including the latest guidance from government and health authorities related to COVID-19. The health and well-being of our partners (employees) and customers remains our highest priority. In this spirit, and out of an abundance of caution, we will temporarily close all Starbucks stores in Italy until 3 April 2020. This includes our nine stores operated by licensed business partner Percassi Group, as well as the Reserve Roastery on Piazza Cordusio in Milan.
Over the coming days and weeks, our primary focus will be on supporting our partners, working to ensure they have the resources they need to look after themselves and their families during this period which we will evaluate on an ongoing basis.
We will continue to actively follow how the situation develops in Italy and will seek to play a constructive role in supporting local health officials and government leaders as they work to contain the virus.
To our Starbucks partners in Italy – your courage and leadership during these dynamic times has inspired us all. Your commitment to living by our Mission & Values is a true moment to be proud of. Thank you for all you have done and will continue to do to support one another and the customers we serve.
Finally, we’d like to thank our customers for their ongoing support and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. We look forward to welcoming you back in April.
Updated March 05, 2020
Open letter to all stakeholders from Robert Lynch, vice president, Retail, Starbucks Europe, the Middle East and Africa
Dear partners,
As a global company, we’ve been closely monitoring the dynamic situation of COVID-19, along with the rest of the world.
First and foremost, the health and well-being of our partners (employees) and customers remains top of mind and our highest priority, and we will continue to act thoughtfully and responsibly despite the disruption and uncertainty COVID-19 brings to our daily lives. As part of communities across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), we are navigating this situation with agility, learning and adapting as new information becomes available.
EMEA represents one of Starbucks most dynamic and diverse operational divisions, with stores and partners spread across more than 40 countries. Given this complexity, the actions we take as a business must strike a balance between our uncompromising commitment to the well-being of our people and implementing local solutions that respond to the immediate needs of individual countries or communities. To help achieve this balance, over the past several weeks we have been staying close to the direction of various health authorities and our business partners across the region to understand the role Starbucks can play in addressing COVID-19.
We are focused on two key priorities: caring for the health and well-being of our partners and customers and playing a constructive role in supporting local health officials and government leaders as they work to contain the virus.
Although the situation remains fluid, we continue to work closely with international Starbucks teams to share best practice, and we’ve initiated a regular series of communications with our store partners to ensure they have the support they need. This includes several precautionary steps reinforcing our hygiene standards.
Out of an abundance of caution, we are pausing the use of personal cups or tumblers in our stores across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. However, we will continue to honour existing discounts for anyone who brings in a personal cup. As a result, we are suspending our 5p (UK) and 5c (Germany) charges for paper cups as well, given this decision prevents customers from opting for reusables.
In addition, we are introducing increased cleaning measures for stores as well as for all “for here” ware (ceramic mugs, plates, etc.). We have provided guidance to our licensed operators on how to report and support anyone that may express they’ve been impacted by the virus, including store closure processes. Finally, we have restricted all business-related air travel, domestic and international, through March 31.
As the situation evolves both globally and at a market level, we will be adapting our approach and procedures in ways that best support our partners and customers in our stores. As always, we will do so in partnership with our licensed operators across EMEA.
We will continue to stay close to our partners and local health authorities, and we are optimistic this will be a temporary situation. Guided by our Mission and Values, and a commitment to one another as partners and to the people we serve, we will continue to communicate with transparency, act courageously and take responsibility to ensure the health and well-being of our partners and customers.
With gratitude,
Robert Lynch