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

PENANG —&nbsp;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 makes 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.”

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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 a 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.”

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.

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Starbucks partners smile and pose inside Signing Store in Penang, Malaysia

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Career Opportunities Expand in Malaysia with Opening of Starbucks Signing Store

Starbucks announces 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.

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Store creates opportunities for the Deaf and hard of hearing community as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to inclusion, accessibility and diversity

Opening Starbucks third signing store globally

Guangzhou, CHINA – Starbucks today announced it has opened its first Signing Store in Guangzhou, China, dedicated to offering employment and career advancement opportunities for the Deaf and hard of hearing community. The store will serve as a welcoming hub for those passionate about improving accessibility and experiences for all and is located near the recognized Guangdong Disabled Association and Guangdong Deaf People Association.

“As a coffee leader deeply rooted in China, for China, Starbucks is committed to creating equal opportunities for everyone, as well as a unique third place experience that addresses a wide range of community needs. The new Signing Store is an example of how we are building inclusive environments and careers for our partners,” said Belinda Wong, chief executive officer of Starbucks China. “This store truly creates a sense of belonging for everyone and is a strong testament to our continued commitment to building a more diverse and inclusive working environment.”

Creating Equal Opportunities for the Deaf Community

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The store employs Deaf partners and hard of hearing partners (employees) from across China, who are fluent in Chinese Sign Language. With their deep experience in working with the Deaf community, the team of partners will help to develop talent and create career opportunities at Starbucks and beyond, while raising awareness and understanding of Deaf experiences in the workplace.

Starbucks currently employs over 100 partners with disabilities in China. Building on its efforts to nurture talent and create more opportunities for the Deaf workforce, Starbucks has partnered with the Guangdong Deaf People Association to offer professional skills training, including sign language courses and internship opportunities. 

“The Guangdong Deaf People Association is proud to partner with Starbucks to provide training and opportunities for the Deaf and hard of hearing community,” said Yitao Fan, vice chairman, China’s Deaf People Association &amp; President of Guangdong Deaf People Association. “Thanks to Starbucks, Deaf partners are empowered to develop their careers in a vibrant and supportive environment, while the store provides a strong platform to drive societal awareness around Deaf Culture and the needs of the community.”

Building an Inclusive Retail Experience

Featuring exclusive artwork and unique merchandise designed by Deaf artists, the store provides a platform for the Deaf and hard of hearing community to unleash its talents. The welcoming environment features wooden frames above the bar area that are arranged to express the gesture of love in sign language. 

Sign language symbols are printed on umbrellas in front of the store, and there are indicators throughout the store. Deaf baristas will wear aprons with the word “Starbucks” embroidered in sign language. The store is equipped with a customized ordering system. Customers and partners will be able to communicate using notepads and two-way digital displays. For customers new to sign language, there will be a dedicated area for customers to write down their orders on an electronic board and wireless vibrating pagers will notify customers when their orders are ready. 

To create an inclusive environment and encourage customers to learn more about the Deaf community, the store will also offer sign language lessons and coffee workshops in sign language.

Starbucks as an Employer of Choice in China

In addition to the Signing Store in Guangzhou, Starbucks has a long history of making meaningful investments as an employer of choice in China. This year, China (along with Canada) became the first international market at Starbucks to <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/pay-equity-around-the-globe/">achieve 100% gender pay equity</a>, following a global announcement to <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/starbucks-commitment-to-gender-racial-pay-equity/">close the gender pay gap for all partners</a> in company-operated markets. The company also offers a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2017/starbucks-partner-benefits-insurance-plan-for-parents-in-china/">critical illness insurance plan</a> to the parents of Starbucks eligible full-time partners across mainland China – an initiative that addresses one of the market’s most pressing social concerns of elderly care. A monthly housing allowance subsidy is also available to all full-time baristas and shift supervisors who have been employed by Starbucks for more than six months.

Starbucks China’s commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace has resulted in recognition as a leading employer by Aon Hewitt with its <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2017/starbucks-aon-best-employers/">Best Employer in China Award</a> in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Signing Stores Around the World

In addition to China, Starbucks also opened a Signing Store in <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2016/deaf-partners-build-careers-at-starbucks/">Malaysia in 2016</a> and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/starbucks-opens-first-us-signing-store/">Washington, D.C. in 2018</a>.

The Signing Store opened on 19 May, the National Day for Helping People with Disabilities in China.

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Starbucks Opens First Signing Store in China - Starbucks Stories

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Starbucks Opens First Signing Store in China

The store creates opportunities for the Deaf and hard of hearing community as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to inclusion, accessibility and diversity.

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