Starbucks China Requires Purchase to Sit in Its Cafes

Starbucks China has introduced a new rule that asks customers to buy an item if they want to sit in its cafes. The policy takes effect across all of the company's 8,000 stores on Thursday. Starbucks China officially announced the change on Wednesday.

The company said the move is part of its efforts to improve the in-store experience for customers. Starbucks China also plans to increase staffing and improve its digital systems at its stores.

The change follows similar steps taken elsewhere in the company's business. In South Korea, Starbucks told customers to stop bringing bulky items into its stores. In North America, Starbucks reversed its open-door policy, which had allowed people to use seats and toilets without buying anything.

A store in Sichuan province sparked debate last month. Video of outdoor seats and tables that had been chained up circulated on social media, and people discussed the situation widely online.

China has become Starbucks' second-largest market since the company opened its first store there in 1999. However, the company faces stiff competition from homegrown brands such as Luckin Coffee. Luckin overtook Starbucks as China's largest coffee chain in 2023.

Starbucks said last year that it would sell a 60% stake of its China business. The sale is part of a $4bn (£3.04bn) deal with Boyu Capital, according to BBC News.