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Let us introduce to you to our 2024 Starbucks <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2024/2024-emea-barista-championships/">EMEA Barista Champion</a>, Sumayyah Eid!

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Beating thousands of other Starbucks baristas as all vying for the win, Summayyah saw off the competition to take the purple apron in London last week.

Taking place in our Starbucks Support Centre in Chiswick, London, the best baristas from our EMEA region battled over three intense days for the title of 2024 EMEA Barista Champion, and for the opportunity to represent the region in the first ever Global Barista Championships taking place next year.&nbsp;

Sumayyah, who represents Jordan, was competing at her first Barista Championships and has been working with Starbucks since she was 15, when she started as a part-time barista in Tampa, Florida. She moved to Jordan in 2019 to be closer to her family.

Straight after her win, Sumayyah said: “Oh my gosh! That is all I can really say. I haven’t processed this yet, you could pinch me – the emotions are overwhelming, in a good way.”

This year, the EMEA Barista Championship was open to 55,000 partners from 42 markets, with 37 of the most talented baristas showcasing the passion that goes into creating the perfect cup of coffee in last week’s final. Their skills were tested across several different rounds, including presenting a coffee tasting, creating picture perfect latte art, inventing their very own signature drink and, for the first time this year, taking part in a ‘store rush’. Dubbed the contestants favourite round, store rush recreates the everyday coffee rush, but the only difference being that the champions were timed and marked on how well they perfect the ‘customer’ order.

The purple apron was presented to Sumayyah by Vaso Papastamatiou, last year’s Champion, who also helped to judge the competition.

“It has meant so much to me to compete this year, and I would encourage every single partner across the globe to take part as it is an amazing experience, regardless of winning the purple apron,” Sumayyah continued. “I want every partner to be as excited as I am. I’ve taken so many photos and videos so when I return home I can share with all my partners.

As well as naming one crowned winner, who also took the title of the first-ever Values Winner by popular vote, this year’s competition also celebrates the incredible talent on display through naming round winners. A huge congratulations to the following partners:

Storytelling 2024 Round Winners (a six-way tie!):

Signature Beverage 2024 Round Winner

Latte Art 2024 Round Winner

Store Rush 2024 Round Winner

From a record-breaking number of participants to entry into the first global Barista Championships taking place in 2025, this year’s championship was truly unforgettable. <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2024/2024-emea-barista-championships/">Learn more about it here</a>

Sumayyah Eid, Our 2024 Starbucks EMEA Barista Champion! - Starbucks Stories EMEA

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Starbucks Stories EMEA

Sumayyah Eid, Our 2024 Starbucks EMEA Barista Champion!

Let us introduce to you to our 2024 Starbucks EMEA Barista Champion, Sumayyah Eid! Beating thousands of other Starbucks baristas as all vying for the win, Summayyah saw off the competition to take the purple apron in London last week. Taking place in our Starbucks Support Centre in Chiswick, London, the best baristas from our […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2024/sumayyah-eid-our-2024-starbucks-emea-barista-champion/

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All around Europe, the Middle East and Africa, there is a tangible buzz of anticipation as the 2024 EMEA Barista Championships prepare to take centre stage. This year's competition promises to be a landmark event, featuring a record-breaking number of national winners competing for the coveted purple apron, only one of which is awarded each year.&nbsp;

A Regional Showcase of Talent&nbsp;

The 2024 EMEA Barista Championships will bring together the finest baristas from around the region, with participants demonstrating their skills in a series of challenging tasks, including Storytelling, Latte Art, Signature Beverage alongside a brand-new mission: Store Rush. The competition is a testament to the artistry and passion that goes into crafting the perfect cup of coffee, alongside showcasing the extraordinary connections that partners (employees) create between themselves and their customers.&nbsp;

A Record-Breaking Field&nbsp;

One of the most exciting aspects of this year's competition is the unprecedented number of national winners. With 37 baristas, this year’s competition brings together more champions than ever before. This reflects the continuing power of the Barista Championships, and the importance of the skills being showcased, as it returns for the 11th year in Europe, ahead of the inaugural Global event happening in 2025.&nbsp;

Why This Year's Competition Will Be Unforgettable&nbsp;

There are several reasons to believe that the 2024 EMEA Barista Championships will be a truly memorable event. Firstly, the record-breaking number of participants ensures a high level of competition and a diverse range of expertise approaches. Secondly, the winner of the 2024 EMEA Barista Championships will represent partners across Europe, the Middle East and Africa in the first Global Barista Championships happening in mid-2025. Finally, the winner of the 2024 EMEA Barista Championships will travel to Rwanda as part of the Starbucks Origin Experience. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that takes partners to the heart of the story of coffee, experiencing the journey of the humble bean, beginning on the farms where it is grown, and building knowledge they can share with their fellow partners across the Region.&nbsp;

What It Takes to Be a Barista Champion&nbsp;

Becoming a Barista Champion requires a combination of talent, hard work, and a deep understanding of coffee. Successful competitors have a passion for their craft, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to think creatively under pressure. They must also be able to connect with their audience and judges, communicating their passion for coffee effectively.&nbsp;

The 2024 EMEA Barista Championships are poised to be a thrilling and unforgettable event. As the competition takes place from 25th-27th September, we can expect to see some of the most talented and innovative baristas in the world showcase their skills and push the boundaries of coffee artistry. Keep an eye on @EMEACoffeeTeam for updates around the competition livestream.&nbsp;

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30 - Finals 06.10.23

2024 EMEA Barista Championships - Starbucks Stories EMEA

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All around Europe, the Middle East and Africa, there is a tangible buzz of anticipation as the 2024 EMEA Barista Championships prepare to take centre stage. This year&#8217;s competition promises to be a landmark event, featuring a record-breaking number of national winners competing for the coveted purple apron, only one of which is awarded each […]

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/Cover-1-1024x731.jpg

https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2024/2024-emea-barista-championships/

2024 EMEA Barista Championships

Starbucks fans in the Nordics will soon have even more opportunity to get their hands on their favourite beverage. Trusted licensee partner Berjaya Food International ("BFI"), will be bringing the Starbucks Experience to Iceland for the first time and across new stores in Denmark, and Finland.

Duncan Moir, president of Starbucks Europe, Middle East and Africa said: "We’re pleased to expand our presence in the Nordic markets alongside our trusted and long-term business partner, Berjaya Food Berhad, and contribute to the vibrant local coffee community in the region."&nbsp;

"Building on our 26-year relationship with BFood, we are excited to further connect with more customers over a handcrafted Starbucks beverage and make impactful investments in our green apron partners (employees) as well as the community."

Berjaya Food International Expands into the Nordic Market Through Operating Rights for Starbucks Coffee Company Retail Stores

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (5 AUG 2024) - Berjaya Food International ("BFI"), the international arm under Berjaya Food Berhad (“BFood”), is set to make a strong entry into the Nordic market with the announcement that it has been granted the rights to operate Starbucks stores in three countries, Iceland, Denmark, and Finland.

This strategic move marks the first entry of a Malaysian public-listed F&amp;B company into the heart of the Nordic coffee scene, with a focus on local hiring and sourcing, highlighting BFood’s dedication to spreading its culinary and operational expertise and elevating F&amp;B experiences on a global scale.

BFI’s vision is to blend Starbucks iconic standards of quality, innovation, and hospitality with its own brand of culinary and operational excellence, promising the renowned unparalleled Starbucks Experience to Nordic coffee enthusiasts.

"We are thrilled to announce our new venture of opening Starbucks Coffee stores in the Nordic region," said Dato’ Sydney Quays, CEO of Berjaya Food Berhad. "We are excited to bring our expertise and passion for excellence to the vibrant Nordic coffee culture, introducing warm Malaysian hospitality and promising the exceptional Starbucks ‘third place’ experience cherished worldwide."

“We’re pleased to expand our presence in the Nordic markets alongside our trusted and long-term business partner, Berjaya Food Berhad, and contribute to the vibrant local coffee community in the region, said Duncan Moir, president of Starbucks Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Building on our 26-year relationship with BFood, we are excited to further connect with more customers over a handcrafted Starbucks beverage and make impactful investments in our green apron partners (employees) as well as the community.”

The company is committed to maintaining the exceptional Starbucks standards of quality, warmth, and hospitality that customers in the region have come to know. As BFI assumes stewardship of Starbucks stores in Iceland, Denmark, and Finland, it paves the way for a new era of innovation and growth in the Nordic coffee landscape. The company is also dedicated to honoring Starbucks Mission and Promises of community engagement and sustainability initiatives, further enriching the Nordic community.

In Denmark, BFI’s expansion to the market will build on the rich coffee culture and store footprint established by Salling Group.&nbsp;

“We are pleased to welcome Berjaya Food Berhad as our new licensed retail operator partner and look forward to a strong collaboration that will strengthen our position in the Danish market even further,” Marianne Bedsted, CEO Salling &amp; Franchise, Salling Group. “This partnership will expand our footprint and grow the Starbucks brand in Denmark. With our current strong momentum and Starbucks status as the most preferred coffee shop among Danes, we see significant potential for opening additional locations and attracting even more new customers.”

BFI looks forward to expanding its global presence while writing the next chapter in BFood's storied history. For more information on Berjaya Food Berhad and its portfolio of brands, please visit <a href="http://berjayafood.com/about-us/">berjayafood.com/about-us/</a>

Starbucks Expands into the Nordic Region - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Starbucks fans in the Nordics will soon have even more opportunity to get their hands on their favourite beverage. Trusted licensee partner Berjaya Food International (&#8220;BFI&#8221;), will be bringing the Starbucks Experience to Iceland for the first time and across new stores in Denmark, and Finland. Duncan Moir, president of Starbucks Europe, Middle East and […]

https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2024/starbucks-expands-into-the-nordic-region/

Starbucks Expands into the Nordic Region

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As human beings, we naturally thrive on being social and connecting with others around us. This is where a new partnership between Starbucks UK and Harry Kane Foundation (HKF) comes in. Launching across the UK this June, the goal is simple: to bring people together by kicking off a conversation over a coffee to support mental wellbeing. &nbsp;

According to the <a href="https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CSJ-Lonely_Nation.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Centre of Social Justice</a>, loneliness in Britain is worse than it’s ever been. Almost six in 10 adults – a whopping 31.4 million people – feel lonely most, often or some of the time. &nbsp;

The research also found that the younger generation are the loneliest, with seven out of 10 of 18-24 year-olds saying they feel lonely, compared to under half of those aged 65 and over. If anything’s clear, it’s that the UK’s loneliness epidemic needs to be tackled – and sooner rather than later.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Across the next 12 months, Starbucks UK is donating £500,000 to Harry Kane Foundation which is a restricted fund under the auspices of Prism the Gift Fund (Registered charity no: 1099682)&nbsp;to support the charity’s work through awareness, education and empowerment initiatives on behalf of national charities.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Founded on World Mental Health Day in October 2022, the Harry Kane Foundation launched with a mission to transform a generation’s thinking about mental health. Spearheaded by the England football Captain and Bayern Munich striker, the foundation promotes habits that build psychological fitness (mental resilience and emotional wellbeing) and provides practical support to the public through mental health services.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The foundation is partnering with Starbucks UK to promote the longstanding culture of connecting over a coffee and to tackle the stigma that surrounds loneliness.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Unique coffee cup sleeves and stickers will act as real-life conversation starters in store, encouraging customers and partners alike to connect with a stranger, their family or friends over their shared passions as the nation comes together to celebrate the summer of sport. Plus, London’s Brompton Road Starbucks store will be transformed into a Connection Café over the summer, inviting customers to come in and talk.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Small talk really can make a big difference when it comes to our mental health and happiness,” Harry Kane says. “Spending even a short time together talking can make you feel good in that moment, but also leave a memory that lasts. Remembering we are not on our own is a big boost to our wellbeing.”&nbsp;

“This initiative through my Foundation with Starbucks UK will get more human connections going, creating special moments through something we all love, whether it is football or a good cup of coffee!” &nbsp;

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For&nbsp;over 25 years, Starbucks&nbsp;has woven itself into the fabric of the communities it serves in the UK, offering customers a ‘Third Place’ - a warm and welcoming space that feels like an extension of their homes in stores and beyond. Starbucks is also committed to its partners (employees) through a range of initiatives that enable them to look after and improve their mental health. This includes The Partner Life support network – a free and confidential employee assistance programme offering counselling sessions if they need them. In addition to providing mental health awareness training to all store managers, Starbucks UK also offers its partners Bupa private medical insurance, which comprises of full mental health support.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We are thrilled to partner with the Harry Kane Foundation to kick off this important conversation,” says Alex Rayner, General Manager at Starbucks UK. &nbsp;

“Just like sport, the ritual of coffee is a powerful way to connect with others. Together with our passionate and trusted green apron partners, we are making every Starbucks store a place where people can come together share their stories and connect over a coffee”. &nbsp;

The Starbucks UK donation to Harry Kane Foundation isn’t the only initiative you can expect to see as part of the campaign. When heading into your local store* this summer, keep an eye out for the number of ways the partnership is coming to life.&nbsp;&nbsp;

With plenty more chances to kick off a conversation over a coffee, keep an eye out for more updates to the partnership throughout the year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Neville Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne&nbsp;&nbsp;

Starbucks will donate £500,000 to The Harry Kane Foundation, which is a restricted fund under the auspices of Prism the Gift Fund (Registered charity no: 1099682).&nbsp;

Limited edition cup sleeves subject to availability, whilst stocks last. 10,000 sleeves available at selected stores only.&nbsp;

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Starbucks UK and Harry Kane Foundation invite the nation to ‘kick off a conversation over a coffee’ - Starbucks Stories EMEA

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Starbucks UK and Harry Kane Foundation invite the nation to ‘kick off a conversation over a coffee’

Starbucks UK and Harry Kane Foundation invite the nation to ‘kick off a conversation over a coffee’ “This initiative will get more human connections going, creating special moments through something we all love, whether it is football or a good cup of coffee!”&nbsp; &#8211; Harry Kane As human beings, we naturally thrive on being social […]

https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2024/starbucks-uk-and-harry-kane-foundation-invite-the-nation-to-kick-off-a-conversation-over-a-coffee-with-the-goal-of-kindness/

Together with environmental charity Hubbub, Starbucks UK has funded 100 new community green spaces across the UK – with an average distance of 2km from a Starbucks store – to help provide local communities with access to nature. 

Totaling £600,000, the Nature Hubs Fund as it has been dubbed by charity partner Hubbub, has funded a plethora of different outdoor projects including new gardens that grow food for the local community, outdoor theatres, yoga studios and areas for music performances to help residents connect, and converting unused, dilapidated buildings like farmhouses and old supermarkets into new outdoor social spaces.&nbsp;

As well as providing initial funding, Starbucks stores across the UK are further supporting the green projects local to them through initiatives such as donating used coffee grounds to help create healthy compost, as well as encouraging partners (employees) to volunteer to give back to their local community. Each Nature Hub is publicly accessible and within, on average, 2km* of a partner Starbucks store, where activities will be promoted for customers, partners, and the local community.&nbsp;

In 2024, a survey conducted by the environmental charity Hubbub revealed a striking truth - 81% of individuals experience a significant improvement in wellbeing by spending time in nature, yet more than a third of people (33%) in the UK currently spend less than an hour a week in nature.&nbsp;

But don’t just take our word for it – a number of communities have already benefited from The Nature Hubs Fund. May Project Gardens is a London-based permaculture garden connecting people to nature for personal, social and economic transformation. “I’ve experienced the healing effects nature can have and connecting with nature has really improved my mental wellbeing,” says Ian Soloman-Kawall, the Hub’s CEO. “You see in people’s faces that they enjoy interacting with nature. People say our space is magical and they’re so glad they found it – it’s great that Derby has something like this,” adds Pascale Holden, a volunteer at Derby community garden Electric Daisy.&nbsp;

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The Nature Hubs Fund is a continuation of the work that Starbucks and Hubbub have developed through their six-year partnership. In May, long standing charity partners of Starbucks, Hubbub and NHS Charities Together, announced the next round of The Greener Communities Fund, which develops green spaces in hospital grounds to help improve the physical and mental health of NHS patients, staff and communities that live nearby.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Since the beginning, Starbucks has been about more than coffee. Everyday across the globe, our partners support the communities in our stores and the neighbourhoods we are a part of,” says Alex Rayner, General Manager at Starbucks UK.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Starbucks UK Nature Hubs marks a new milestone in our aim to contribute positively to every community we serve, helping to transform local areas into vibrant green spaces that bring people together in nature. I am grateful to our partners for bringing them to life and can’t wait to see the joy and benefits they bring to our communities.”&nbsp;

Gavin Ellis, Director &amp; Co-founder at Hubbub added: “Access to safe and inclusive green spaces, particularly in urban areas, is so critical to our mental, physical and social wellbeing. Improving the green spaces in our towns and cities also helps to improve biodiversity, cool our streets and provide fantastic opportunities to grow fresh produce. The Nature Hubs initiative is designed to make these natural spaces - and the many wonderful ways to engage in environmental activities within them - much more accessible for everyone.&nbsp;

“We received so many incredible applications from community groups and are really excited to work with all our new Nature Hubs partners to see the impact that these varied and ambitious plans will have on local communities.”&nbsp;

Starbucks UK and Hubbub are funding 100 green spaces for communities across the UK  - Starbucks Stories EMEA

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Starbucks UK and Hubbub are funding 100 green spaces for communities across the UK 

Together with environmental charity Hubbub, Starbucks UK has funded 100 new community green spaces across the UK – with an average distance of 2km from a Starbucks store – to help provide local communities with access to nature.  Totaling £600,000, the Nature Hubs Fund as it has been dubbed by charity partner Hubbub, has funded […]

https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2024/starbucks-uk-and-hubbub-are-funding-100-green-spaces-for-communities-across-the-uk/

The very first of its kind, Starbucks UK has launched a new training programme for its partners (employees) to learn British Sign Language, elevating the experience of deaf and hard of hearing customers and combatting the feelings of anxiety and isolation they may experience when interacting in retail settings.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Made in partnership with the British Deaf Association (BDA) and tech platform Attensi, the gamified training app is an accessible, engaging way for Starbucks partners to learn everyday phrases including greetings, useful questions and beverage orders. So far, the industry leading initiative has been embraced by Starbucks partners across the UK in huge numbers.&nbsp;

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But how did it all start?&nbsp;

All of this began thanks to one incredible Starbucks partner: Toro Manca.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Beginning his Starbucks journey in London in 2001 as a barista, Toro is now a District Manager for stores in south-<s> </s>west London. His passion for deaf awareness and teaching British Sign Language began when he was managing Canary Wharf’s Jubilee Place store, back in 2012.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We had a regular deaf customer who came into the store, and we tried our best to communicate with them, but we struggled and wanted to elevate that connection,” he tells me over a coffee in the store where it all began. “A lot of people see people signing and think, ‘I would love to learn that’, and I really did too, so I signed up to learn level one, which is an introduction to British Sign Language and deaf awareness.”&nbsp;

With the support of Starbucks, Toro soon completed levels two and three of the course, and became more and more involved with his local deaf community, making friends and learning of the hardships they face – especially when it comes to gaining employment. “People would tell me that they couldn’t get work because as soon as an employer saw a CV that stated deafness, they wouldn’t even interview them.. It became this dream of mine to help support the community and help get them into work.”&nbsp;

Toro went on to achieve just that after reaching out to the Royal Association for Deaf People, who supported him in hiring 10 partners across stores in London. Now, almost all of the partners in the Jubilee Place store know how to sign, and with the success of the Attensi app Toro spearheaded, hopefully other UK stores will soon follow suit. &nbsp;

“We’ve used Attensi training in-store for about 4 years, and I always thought, ‘Why don’t we do deaf awareness on here?’. I wasn’t sure if it would work because I went to college to learn British Sign Language, and there you have a teacher and classmates to interact with. I wasn’t sure how it would work on a mobile device, but we went for it. We shared our ideas with Attensi and they were super happy to try something new, as they’d never done this before either. It’s really worked and I’m so proud that this platform is supporting partners and customers.”&nbsp;

Screenshots from the Attensi app

“We’re always up for a challenge at Attensi and this was definitely a challenging brief,” Trond Aas, Attensi’s CEO and co-founder says. “There really isn’t a training solution to compare to this. We had to be innovative right from the drawing board and break new ground to get the right levels of participation to achieve the impact we all wanted to achieve.” 

“British Sign Language is very expressive – we had to ensure that we could convey this in the games for a realistic and relatable experience for the learner. One of the key tests in simulation and game-based training is to achieve realistic context for the games so that people can apply the skills they have learned in the virtual world in real-life scenarios.”&nbsp;

“The design phase of this project was highly collaborative and iterative. We worked closely with deaf partners working at Starbucks and the British Deaf Association to come up with innovative ways to engage employees in repetition and practice of BSL communication. It was important to us to really understand the challenges that deaf people can face in day-to-day communications and help employees master the BSL skills that can help to improve the Starbucks experience for deaf people.” &nbsp;

Rebecca Mansell, CEO of the British Deaf Association, says that the initiative marks a “significant leap” towards inclusivity, increasing awareness of the deaf community and ensuring equal experiences for all. “Everyone at the BDA is incredibly proud of this collaboration – it would be amazing to use this ground-breaking training as a case study for us to campaign for more inclusive practices across all businesses,” she continues. “I think this is something to be incredibly proud of – Starbucks has led the way and now it is time for others to follow suit.”&nbsp;

“Every day, our partners support the communities in our stores and the neighbourhoods we are part of, working to improve the Starbucks Experience for all customers across the UK and ensure we create places where everyone feels welcome,” says Alex Rayner, General Manager at Starbucks UK. “I’m proud to see just how many partners have chosen to learn British Sign Language as part of this pioneering new training.”&nbsp;

Toro has seen the positive impacts of this initiative firsthand in store. “Very often when I was working in Canary Wharf, customers would approach me and say how inspired they were leaving the store after watching deaf partners working with hearing partners and seeing how amazing they were at supporting each other,” he says. “For many, it was the highlight of their day before going to the office. I also discovered that a lot of customers learnt sign language themselves, whether they were saying thank you or ordering their coffee. It made me feel so proud.”&nbsp;

He goes on to point out that the potential impacts of this kind of training could be even greater: “We know that 11 million people are deaf or hard of hearing in the UK – there’s such a big opportunity in that to inspire and make others feel more welcome in Starbucks stores. Inclusion always has, and always will be, so important.”&nbsp;

Starbucks UK launches industry-leading training programme teaching store partners British Sign Language, elevating the Starbucks experience for deaf and hard of hearing customers  - Starbucks Stories EMEA

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Starbucks UK launches industry-leading training programme teaching store partners British Sign Language, elevating the Starbucks experience for deaf and hard of hearing customers 

The very first of its kind, Starbucks UK has launched a new training programme for its partners (employees) to learn British Sign Language, elevating the experience of deaf and hard of hearing customers and combatting the feelings of anxiety and isolation they may experience when interacting in retail settings.&nbsp;&nbsp; Made in partnership with the British […]

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/17/2024/05/MM_Phone_PH-B-02-copy-1-1024x683.jpg

https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2024/starbucks-uk-launches-industry-leading-training-programme-teaching-store-partners-british-sign-language-elevating-the-starbucks-experience-for-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing-customers/

Every April, Starbucks EMEA partners up with local charities to give back to the many communities around us through a number of volunteering projects. It’s part of the Starbucks promise we upkeep every day - to contribute positively to every community we serve. 

Catch just some of the highlights from this year’s Global Month of Good – from the UK to Italy – now. 

Since 2011, <a href="https://www.ebonyhorseclub.org.uk/">Ebony Horse Club</a> has used the joy of horse riding to improve the education, life skills, wellbeing and aspirations of young people from disadvantaged communities in Lambeth, south London. Not only is it a place for horse riding lessons, but it’s a space where friendships are formed. To mark the second year of our partnership, Starbucks partners supported the much-needed renovation of the club. While some partners tackled painting, building furniture and tidying inside, others helped to fix fencing and put their gardening skills to the test to ensure the clubs outside area was spick and span.

You can’t focus on sustainability without a bit of litter picking! While partners in London grabbed their gloves and orange sacks and headed out around the EMEA Support Centre in an effort to tidy up their surroundings, Starbucks partners in Oslo and Bergen took to local parks on the hunt for litter. Well done to the teams for making a noticeable difference in the cleanliness of their community’s shared spaces! 

The Starbucks Reserve Roastery Milano is no stranger to a coffee tasting. However, this April, a very different tasting took place under the Roastery’s roof – involving honey! Regional honey production association <a href="https://www.apilombardia.it/">Apilombardia</a> stopped by the Roastery to teach partners how to taste honey, coffee, and how to protect not only bees, but plants and the local environment.&nbsp;

Since 2021, the Roastery have proudly supported Lombardy’s beekeeper community, donating coffee bags made from jute (a natural fabric made from the fibres of the jute plant) which are recycled to be used in the honey collection process.&nbsp;

Partners took to Walthamstow Wetlands, Huckerby’s Meadow and Crane Park Island this month to make a positive difference to London’s green spaces. Operated by the London Wildlife Trust, during these <a href="https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/wild-workdays">Wild Workdays</a> Starbucks partners cut hay and grass, conducted wildlife surveys to monitor the number of species in the area, improved the habitats for the local wildlife and removed any invasive species, improving the space’s biodiversity.

Together with the team from Starbucks Italian licensee partner Percassi, Starbucks Reserve Roastery Milano partners headed to the warehouse of <a href="https://panequotidiano.eu/">Pane Quotidiano</a> - a non-profit organisation based in Milan – to support in preparing and giving bags of food supplies and other essential items to local people in need (around 2,000-5,000 people per day). Pane Quotidiano was supported by the Global Community Impact Grant from the Starbucks Foundation in 2023.

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While the Global Month of Good may have passed for another year, good things continue to happen as Starbucks teams are encouraged to support local causes and work to improve the communities that surround them. 

How Starbucks EMEA partners gave back to local communities during Global Month of Good - Starbucks Stories EMEA

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How Starbucks EMEA partners gave back to local communities during Global Month of Good

Every April, Starbucks EMEA partners up with local charities to give back to the many communities around us through a number of volunteering projects. It’s part of the Starbucks promise we upkeep every day &#8211; to contribute positively to every community we serve.  Catch just some of the highlights from this year’s Global Month of […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2024/how-starbucks-emea-partners-gave-back-to-local-communities-during-global-month-of-good/

Starbucks continued its growth within the UK and EMEA, posting strong revenue growth in FY23

Starbucks UK registered EMEA business and UK Coffee Company today filed accounts for the financial year ending 1 October 2023.

Starbucks UK Coffee Company (in GBP):

UK FY23 Operational highlights:

Duncan Moir, President Starbucks Europe, Middle East and Africa, commented:

“We are immensely proud to have celebrated our 25th anniversary in the UK and EMEA this year. We are pleased to report another strong year of revenue growth, owing in large part to the dedication, hard-work and relentless pursuit of excellence that our brilliant team of partners continue to deliver.

“We are pleased to have met our new store opening commitments during the year, opening more than 100 new stores in the UK. While we continue to navigate challenging market conditions, we are excited to work alongside our partners to continue growing our footprint in the region.”

The UK remains the Company’s largest market in EMEA. UK operations are captured in the accounts of Starbucks UK Coffee Company.

The Company ended the year with a total of 1,168 stores in the UK (2022: 1066 stores). Of these, 354 were company-operated stores and 814 were run by licensees – a 30/70 split, approximately which is flat on last year.

Despite the challenging economic headwinds facing the UK, Starbucks continues to experience strong demand for its products and delivered strong sales growth with revenues increasing 21.9% to £547.7m in the period.

Operating profit rebounded for the period, rising to £21.7m with margins increasing compared to last year. The was due to improved operational leverage from a larger store portfolio, stronger performance from licensed stores which is margin positive, the outperformance in our cold beverage platform, improvements in average basket value per customer which was driven by customers buying a more favourable mix of items and improvements in productivity within our labour force during the period.

We’ve continued to see growth in the UK coffee market in spite of the macroeconomic conditions that have hit the UK in the financial year such as the cost-of-living crisis, which continues to dampen high street and city location footfall.

The Company continues to navigate, and respond to, changing consumer demands by ensuring that it actively manages its menu offerings. The value of an average customer basket increased year on year, driven by the increase in popularity for our cold beverage platform with drinks like the Refresha, Iced Shaken Espresso and Clotted Cream Cold Fudge Brew. Growth was also seen in customers adding food to their purchases with items like Egg Bites and Cake Pops performing strongly.

We experienced the inflationary pressures that were felt throughout the coffee industry with notable impacts on dairy and coffee commodity prices in FY23 that contributed to rising input costs into the Company. Overall costs were also higher as a result of wage increases during the year. Selected strategic price increases were taken in line with these rising input costs into the business.

Investment in digitalisation and technology has improved the Company’s loyalty program and led to growth in the programme’s 90-day active members, going from 600k to 1.2m by the year end. This focus has improved customer convenience and fostered increased engagement and loyalty which has translated into higher frequency of visits. The Company continues to build upon this in 2024 through the rollout of further digital initiatives.

The Company continued its expansion strategy by opening over 100 new stores in the UK demonstrating a commitment to growth despite economic challenges. We now have 1168 stores in the UK (FY22: 1066).

New store openings were targeted in key Drive Thru and city locations with high traffic and footfall counts. In total, the Company has 335 Drive Thru stores at the end of FY23 (2022: 285), of which 39 are Company operated stores, and 296 are licensed/franchised stores.

In FY23, the Company progressed its strategy to become an employer of choice, continually reviewing its pay and benefits structures to remain an attractive employer. Heading into FY24, we believe we are in a strong position to attract and retain talent for our stores; further incentives and benefits were provided in the year, including but not limited to salary increases, green apron discount and green apron bonus.

Starbucks also launched a new bonus scheme for store supervisors and baristas which allows green apron partners to share in the Company’s success on a sustainable basis. This bonus scheme will be directly linked to performance.

As part of our long-term strategy, the Company plans to open an additional 100 stores in the UK in FY24. Company operated growth in FY24 will focus on new store format innovation and high traffic count locations across the UK.

The Company reported a UK corporation tax charge of £7.2m (2022: £4.6M).

Starbucks EMEA Limited is the main reporting entity for all Starbucks activities in EMEA – excluding the UK business, which is reported separately as outlined above.

At the year end, there were 4,582 stores in 42 markets across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) (2022: 4176 stores).

Starbucks continues to pursue its core strategy of a mostly licensed and franchised operating model in the EMEA region, meaning most of its revenues come from royalty payments. Revenue increased by 31.3% in the period to $425.4m (2022: $324.0M), driven by new store openings and strong underlying performance across the EMEA markets, including continued rollout of digital services.

This was partially offset by an increase in administrative costs due to additional activity supporting expansion across EMEA such as marketing, technology and digital support costs. Resultantly, operating profit increased during the year to $125.5M (2022: $72.9M).

The continued rollout of digital platforms to licensees and investment in technology continued to be drivers of growth during the period, improving the Starbucks experience for customers. This includes improvements to the Starbucks website, enabling mobile order and pay, delivery, improvement to the loyalty program which saw 166% increase in 90-day active membership over the course of the year.

Supporting our overall strategy, the Company has seen continued store growth during the year. We will continue to open new stores and support growth in the region.

Starbucks EMEA Limited reported a UK corporation tax charge of $36.4m for the year, compared to $19.5m for the same period last year. The payment increased owing to the improved trading performance and profitability of the business.

Profit after tax for the period was $104.7M (2022: $56.4M). This consists of an operating profit of $125.5m (2022: $72.9m) from its operating and other activities and a UK corporation tax charge of $36.4M (2022: $19.5M).

The net asset position of the Company was $1,286.7M (2022: $2,041.2M). The decrease in net assets is driven by the distribution of dividends totalling $325.0M (2022: $Nil) and a distribution arising from corporate restructuring totalling $536.3M. 

Latika Shah <a href="mailto:Starbucks@edelmansmithfield.com">Starbucks@edelmansmithfield.com</a>

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with stores around the globe, Starbucks is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup.

Starbucks EMEA headquarters has been in the UK since 2015, servicing the Europe, Middle East and Africa and driving Starbucks growth strategy in the region. Starbucks opened its first stores in Europe in 1998 and has since grown to over 4,500 stores across 42 markets, with the UK remaining as the largest market.

Forward-Looking Statements&nbsp;

Certain statements contained herein are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. Generally, these statements can be identified by the use of words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “feel,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors (many beyond our control) that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our historical experience or from our current expectations or projections. Our forward-looking statements, and the risks and uncertainties related thereto, include, but are not limited to, those described under the “Risk Factors” and “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of the company’s most recently filed periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and in other filings with the SEC, as well as:&nbsp;

• our ability to preserve, grow and leverage our brands, including the risk of negative responses by consumers (such as boycotts or negative publicity campaigns) or governmental actors (such as retaliatory legislative treatment) who object to certain actions taken or not taken by the Company, which responses could adversely affect our brand value;&nbsp;

• the acceptance of the company’s products and changes in consumer preferences, consumption, or spending behavior and our ability to anticipate or react to them; shifts in demographic or health and wellness trends; or unfavorable consumer reaction to new products, platforms, reformulations, or other innovations;&nbsp;

• our anticipated operating expenses, including our anticipated total capital expenditures;

• the costs associated with, and the successful execution and effects of, our existing and any future business opportunities, expansions, initiatives, strategies, investments and plans, including our Triple Shot Reinvention with Two Pumps Plan;&nbsp;

• the impacts of partner investments and changes in the availability and cost of labor including any union organizing efforts and our responses to such efforts;&nbsp;

• the ability of our business partners, suppliers and third-party providers to fulfill their responsibilities and commitments;&nbsp;

• higher costs, lower quality, or unavailability of coffee, dairy, energy, water, raw materials, or product ingredients;&nbsp;

• the impact of significant increases in logistics costs;&nbsp;

• unfavorable global or regional economic conditions and related economic slowdowns or recessions, low consumer confidence, high unemployment, weak credit or capital markets, budget deficits, burdensome government debt, austerity measures, higher interest rates, higher taxes, political instability, higher inflation, or deflation;&nbsp;

• inherent risks of operating a global business including geopolitical instability;&nbsp;

• failure to attract or retain key executive or partner talent or successfully transition executives;&nbsp;

• the potential negative effects of incidents involving food or beverage-borne illnesses, tampering, adulteration, contamination or mislabeling;&nbsp;

• negative publicity related to our company, products, brands, marketing, executive leadership, partners, board of directors, founder, operations, business performance, or prospects;&nbsp;

• potential negative effects of a material breach, failure, or corruption of our information technology systems or those of our direct and indirect business partners, suppliers or third-party providers, or failure to comply with personal data protection laws;&nbsp;

• our environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) efforts and any reaction related thereto such as the rise in opposition to ESG and inclusion and diversity efforts;&nbsp;

• risks associated with acquisitions, dispositions, business partnerships, or investments – such as acquisition integration, termination difficulties or costs or impairment in recorded value;&nbsp;

• the impact of foreign currency translation, particularly a stronger U.S. dollar;&nbsp;

• the impact of substantial competition from new entrants, consolidations by competitors, and other competitive activities, such as pricing actions (including price reductions, promotions, discounting, couponing, or free 5 goods), marketing, category expansion, product introductions, or entry or expansion in our geographic markets;&nbsp;

• the impact of changes in U.S. tax law and related guidance and regulations that may be implemented, including on tax rates;&nbsp;

• the impact of health epidemics, pandemics or other public health events on our business and financial results, and the risk of negative economic impacts and related regulatory measures or voluntary actions that may be put in place, including restrictions on business operations or social distancing requirements, and the duration and efficacy of such restrictions;&nbsp;

• failure to comply with anti-corruption laws, trade sanctions and restrictions or similar laws or regulations; and&nbsp;

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