No order, no seat: Starbucks China rolls out new store policy
0 / 22
English
中文
"Purchase to sit" signs are popping up in Starbucks stores around China Taking a seat at a Starbucks in China?
（暂无翻译）
Just make sure you're also ordering something there. A new policy by Starbucks China takes effect across all its 8,000 stores on Thursday, making it mandatory for people to purchase items if they want to sit in its cafes.
（暂无翻译） （暂无翻译）
Starbucks China said the move was part of efforts to improve the "in-store experience" for customers.
（暂无翻译）
The company is facing stiff competition from homegrown brands such as Luckin Coffee. Starbucks stores around the world have also been wrestling with non-paying seat-hoggers and other undesirable behaviour from customers.
（暂无翻译） （暂无翻译）
In South Korea, Starbucks has told customers to stop bringing "bulky items" into their stores, after some patrons reportedly hogged seats with printers and desktop computers in tow.
（暂无翻译）
In North America, Starbucks reversed its open-door policy which for years allowed people to use their seats and toilets without buying anything, saying that it wanted to "prioritise" paying customers.
（暂无翻译）
Ahead of the official announcement on Wednesday, reports of the new seating policy at China's Starbucks stores had been circulating this week - along with social media videos of what appear to be "purchase to sit" signs in Starbucks stores.
（暂无翻译）
Many on Chinese social media welcomed the new policy.
（暂无翻译）
"Finally, there won't be peak periods where people are just sitting there not ordering anything, drinking Luckin coffee, playing games and yelling on the phone," reads one of the top-liked comment on Weibo.
（暂无翻译）
"Every time I walk around, there's nowhere to sit," "There's nothing wrong with it. I'd feel awkward sitting there if I didn't make a purchase.
（暂无翻译） （暂无翻译）
I'd rather leave the seats for those who made purchases and need the seats," another Weibo user commented. Last month, a Starbucks store in Sichuan province sparked debate after video of its chained-up outdoor seats and tables were circulated on social media. It appeared to be an attempt to block people from sitting there without paying.
（暂无翻译） （暂无翻译） （暂无翻译）
Since opening its first store there in 1999, China has become Starbucks' second-largest market. But it has faced stiff competition in recent years from Luckin and other local brands that offer cheaper products.
（暂无翻译） （暂无翻译）
Luckin also offers a robust app-based ordering system that prioritises grab-and-go transactions, challenging Starbucks' model of a full cafe experience where people can sit down and enjoy their food and drinks. In 2023, Luckin overtook Starbucks as China's largest coffee chain.
（暂无翻译） （暂无翻译）
Starbucks said last year it would sell 60% stake of its business in China as part of a $4bn (£3.04bn) deal with investment firm Boyu Capital.
（暂无翻译）
In another statement on Wednesday, Starbucks China said it was planning to increase staffing and improve digital systems at its stores, among other investments to "ensure customers receive timely and warm service even during peak hours".
（暂无翻译）
仅供学习使用，如有侵权请联系删除 · 查看原文