Starbucks China says it will require customers to make a purchase to sit in its cafes, with the policy starting October 22. Quartz reports the rollout is nationwide and that Starbucks China plans to spend more than 300 million yuan on staffing, technology, and stores.
Bloomberg links the move to Starbucks’ broader effort to revive its performance in a highly competitive mainland market. Investing.com also reports that Starbucks China will require purchases for seating, citing a report but without adding further detail in the provided summary. Across outlets, the central point is the same: seating access in Starbucks China becomes conditional on making a purchase, beginning on the stated date.
