No purchase, no seats: Starbucks China rolls out new policy
Starbucks says it is improving customers' in-store experience as it competes with homegrown rivals.
Starbucks China has introduced a new policy requiring customers to make a purchase in order to sit in its cafes, taking effect across all 8,000 stores on Thursday. The company aims to enhance the in-store experience and tackle the issue of customers hogging seats without buying anything. This move comes as Starbucks faces competition from local brands like Luckin Coffee, which have gained popularity due to cheaper products and robust app-based ordering systems.
Chinese social media users generally welcomed the policy, expressing relief that there will be fewer instances of people sitting without ordering. Starbucks has been grappling with similar issues in other markets, such as South Korea, where it has asked customers to stop bringing bulky items into stores. In North America, the company recently reversed its "open-door" policy, prioritizing paying customers over those using seats and toilets without purchasing.
Despite opening its first store in China in 1999, Starbucks has struggled to maintain its market leadership, with Luckin Coffee recently surpassing it. In response, Starbucks announced plans to increase staffing and improve digital systems in its Chinese stores to ensure timely and warm service during peak hours.
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