TOPIC

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Starbucks

Starbucks is a global coffee company founded in 1971 in Seattle, Washington, as a roaster and retailer of whole bean and ground coffee, tea and spices. Today it is the largest coffeehouse company in the world. Starbucks Corporation's common stock is listed on NASDAQ, under the trading symbol SBUX.

Chairman / President

Mellody Hobson

CEO / Managing Director

Laxman Narasimhan

CFO / Finance Director

Brian Niccol

Industry

Coffee shop

Website

starbucks.com

Headquarters address

2401 Utah Avenue South, Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Stock Code

NASDAQ:SBUX

Year founded

1971

China’s private sector

Open Questions | Veteran investor Fang Fenglei on why China’s ‘investibility’ remains a certainty

Influential financier who helped found CICC says arguments against China investment ‘do not hold water’.

14 Sep 2026 - 10:05AMvideocam

Yuan

Open Questions | Private equity’s Fang Fenglei on investing in China

12 Sep 2026 - 7:01AMvideocam

Video | Starbucks Malaysia changed the game for deaf baristas

7 Sep 2026 - 3:50PM

Malaysia

‘All I want is a fair chance’: Malaysia’s deaf workers look to lead

A job offer is only the first step, deaf Malaysians say. True inclusion means equal opportunities and room to rise.

6 Sep 2026 - 10:00AMvideocam

Wong Yi Xiang, a deaf Starbucks employee, says he wants a fair chance to show his work-related skills. Photo: Ushar Daniele

China manufacturing

Beyond the bottle: China’s liquor heartland trades old spirits for new energy

Home to one of the nation’s legendary baijiu makers, Yibin is racing to reinvent itself as a hi-tech manufacturing hub – though stark challenges remain.

30 Aug 2026 - 5:00PM

Hong Kong property

Hang Lung Properties names former Starbucks China head Leo Tsoi as new CEO

Tsoi’s appointment marks Hang Lung’s first CEO change since Adriel Chan took over from his father Ronnie Chan as chairman in 2024.

7 Aug 2026 - 6:32PM

Food and Drinks

Where does your coffee come from? Starbucks buyer on drink’s complex journey

Christian Hackenberg shares why coffee growing and buying is far from simple, and the challenges farmers face from Indonesia to China.

29 Jul 2026 - 12:45PM

A cup of coffee is an essential part of the morning routine for millions of people around the world, but have you ever wondered how the drink got from the plant to your cup? Starbucks coffee buyer Christian Hackenberg opens up on the challenges, including the ones coffee farmers face from China to Indonesia. Photo: Shutterstock

China consumption

Five Guys eyes Beijing as US chains hunger for success in China

Unlike earlier attempts that relied on management by overseas headquarters, US firms now favour franchising, analyst says.

12 Jul 2026 - 7:07PM

China consumption

After hooking China on coffee, Starbucks ramps up consumer strategy

Now that the chain has Chinese consumers hooked on coffee, it is attempting to become part of local consumer culture, analysts say.

5 Jul 2026 - 9:00AM

The Philippines

‘Purple gold rush’: Philippine ube farming looks to cash in on craze

Philippine ube exports reached over US$3 million in 2025, more than double the US$1.4 million figure recorded in 2024.

1 Jul 2026 - 1:19PMvideocam

“Ubi kinampay” is especially prized for its distinctive taste and aroma. Photo: Facebook/National Museum of the Philippines Bohol

China’s private sector

Global brands in China seek local partners amid market squeeze

Slower consumer spending and cutthroat competition are pushing global brands such as Pizza Hut and Starbucks to reshape their China business.

17 Jun 2026 - 5:02PM

A Pizza Hut restaurant in Jinan, Shandong province. Photo: Handout

South Korea

Starbucks’ South Korean staff to receive history lesson after ‘Tank Day’ blunder

The coffee giant will close all stores for half a day so employees can ‘receive education in historical awareness and social sensitivity’.

23 Jun 2026 - 1:03PMvideocam

Mergers & Acquisitions

China’s fast-changing consumers force MNCs to adapt via local alliances

General Mills and Mölnlycke follow Starbucks, Burger King in forging partnerships to better tap local market insights.

10 Jun 2026 - 8:06AM

China’s private sector

China market is the ‘world’s toughest gym’ for global brands: McKinsey

Innovation, speed, and entrepreneurial agility are needed in China; foreign firms must adapt or lose ground, says McKinsey’s Joe Ngai.

8 Jun 2026 - 2:21PM

Joe Ngai, Greater China chairman at McKinsey & Company. Photo: Edmond So

US-China relations

How Chinese drink chains are testing the limits of soft power

New tea and coffee brands from China are winning customers across America, but their broader influence remains unclear.

6 Jun 2026 - 8:18AMvideocam

China’s private sector

The big scoop: lemon tea chain to revamp Haagen-Dazs’ struggling China business

General Mills is offloading the ice cream brand’s mainland China stores, as foreign businesses revamp models amid heated domestic competition.

4 Jun 2026 - 11:48AMvideocam

South Korea

‘My fault’: tycoon takes blame to quell fury over Starbucks Korea ad blunder

Chung Yong-jin’s apology came as backlash deepened over the coffee chain’s marketing campaign mocking South Korea’s pro-democracy history.

26 May 2026 - 12:03PMvideocam

South Korea

Video | Starbucks Korea boss sacked as Tank Day promo misfires

Sohn Jeong-hyun was fired after the campaign caused public outrage for evoking painful memories of the Gwangju Uprising.

20 May 2026 - 9:02PM

00:59

South Korea

Starbucks Korea boss loses job after ‘Tank Day’ promotion misfires

Sohn Jeong-hyun was fired following public anger over the campaign that was seen as mocking the anniversary of the Gwangju uprising.

20 May 2026 - 9:06PMvideocam

Food and Drinks

Viral ube drinks and desserts are taking over South Korean cafes

Ube, a vibrant purple yam, is the latest craze in South Korean cafes. Here’s where to go for lattes, cakes, shakes, ice cream and more.

25 Apr 2026 - 3:15PM

China’s private sector

Chinese coffee brands need more than low prices to compete globally: analysts

Luckin, Lucky Cup, Cotti and Nowwa are expanding quickly overseas, but analysts warn success depends on consumer experience and quality.

31 Mar 2026 - 7:30AM

A Luckin Coffee outlet in Manhattan, New York. Photo: Getty Images/AFP

Singapore

How Southeast Asia’s coffee chains are brewing cross-border success

Home-grown brands such as Zus Coffee are betting on cultural fluency, halal positioning and digital tools to make further inroads.

5 Mar 2026 - 4:47PM

A Kenangan Coffee outlet at a shopping centre in eastern Singapore. The Indonesian chain has opened about 10 outlets in the city state. Photo: Kenangan Coffee

China’s private sector

Luckin’s 30,000th store milestone adds buzz to China’s brewing coffee battle

Xiamen-headquartered chain pushes to integrate supply network worldwide and accelerate growth in markets from Asia to the US.

9 Feb 2026 - 7:04PM

China’s private sector

How Western brands are adapting to China’s changing consumer landscape

Starbucks’ China stake sale signals a seismic shift, as global firms retreat amid rising competition, price wars and evolving consumer tastes.

7 Feb 2026 - 10:07AM

Art

The unicorn has been revered for 4,000 years. It still has us under its spell

From ancient Indus Valley seals to Starbucks cups, the unicorn has long served as a symbol of magic and hope.

6 Feb 2026 - 10:59AM

Posties 27 Feb 2013. Features_Fantasy landscape with unicorn and a big moon Shutterstock Stock Photo: Image ID: 106687580 __One time use only

China trade

Opinion | From tea to TikTok: the middleman’s return is reshaping China trade

The old Canton system is re-emerging in a new guise as the likes of TikTok and Starbucks look to middlemen to navigate a divided global economy.

16 Jan 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

Customers flock to the opening of the first McDonald’s restaurant in Xining, the capital of northwest China’s Qinghai province, on December 21, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

China economy

Opinion | China’s new property pivot is coming. Expect full stabilisation ahead

As property curbs to boost spending hit practical limits, a push to stabilise assets is now being seen as a prerequisite for consumer confidence.

14 Jan 2026 - 5:43PMvideocam

Mergers & Acquisitions

Johnnie Walker maker Diageo mulls options for China assets including sale: sources

Goldman Sachs and UBS are reviewing Diageo’s operations and are sounding out interest from local strategic buyers and private equity firms.

13 Jan 2026 - 5:48PM

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Starbucks

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Open Questions | Veteran investor Fang Fenglei on why China’s ‘investibility’ remains a certainty

Influential financier who helped found CICC says arguments against China investment ‘do not hold water’.

Open Questions | Private equity’s Fang Fenglei on investing in China

Video | Starbucks Malaysia changed the game for deaf baristas

‘All I want is a fair chance’: Malaysia’s deaf workers look to lead

A job offer is only the first step, deaf Malaysians say. True inclusion means equal opportunities and room to rise.

Beyond the bottle: China’s liquor heartland trades old spirits for new energy

Home to one of the nation’s legendary baijiu makers, Yibin is racing to reinvent itself as a hi-tech manufacturing hub – though stark challenges remain.

Hang Lung Properties names former Starbucks China head Leo Tsoi as new CEO

Tsoi’s appointment marks Hang Lung’s first CEO change since Adriel Chan took over from his father Ronnie Chan as chairman in 2024.

Where does your coffee come from? Starbucks buyer on drink’s complex journey

Christian Hackenberg shares why coffee growing and buying is far from simple, and the challenges farmers face from Indonesia to China.

Five Guys eyes Beijing as US chains hunger for success in China

Unlike earlier attempts that relied on management by overseas headquarters, US firms now favour franchising, analyst says.

After hooking China on coffee, Starbucks ramps up consumer strategy

Now that the chain has Chinese consumers hooked on coffee, it is attempting to become part of local consumer culture, analysts say.

‘Purple gold rush’: Philippine ube farming looks to cash in on craze

Philippine ube exports reached over US$3 million in 2025, more than double the US$1.4 million figure recorded in 2024.

Global brands in China seek local partners amid market squeeze

Slower consumer spending and cutthroat competition are pushing global brands such as Pizza Hut and Starbucks to reshape their China business.

Starbucks’ South Korean staff to receive history lesson after ‘Tank Day’ blunder

The coffee giant will close all stores for half a day so employees can ‘receive education in historical awareness and social sensitivity’.

China’s fast-changing consumers force MNCs to adapt via local alliances

General Mills and Mölnlycke follow Starbucks, Burger King in forging partnerships to better tap local market insights.

China market is the ‘world’s toughest gym’ for global brands: McKinsey

Innovation, speed, and entrepreneurial agility are needed in China; foreign firms must adapt or lose ground, says McKinsey’s Joe Ngai.

How Chinese drink chains are testing the limits of soft power

New tea and coffee brands from China are winning customers across America, but their broader influence remains unclear.

The big scoop: lemon tea chain to revamp Haagen-Dazs’ struggling China business

General Mills is offloading the ice cream brand’s mainland China stores, as foreign businesses revamp models amid heated domestic competition.

‘My fault’: tycoon takes blame to quell fury over Starbucks Korea ad blunder

Chung Yong-jin’s apology came as backlash deepened over the coffee chain’s marketing campaign mocking South Korea’s pro-democracy history.

Video | Starbucks Korea boss sacked as Tank Day promo misfires

Sohn Jeong-hyun was fired after the campaign caused public outrage for evoking painful memories of the Gwangju Uprising.

Starbucks Korea boss loses job after ‘Tank Day’ promotion misfires

Sohn Jeong-hyun was fired following public anger over the campaign that was seen as mocking the anniversary of the Gwangju uprising.

Viral ube drinks and desserts are taking over South Korean cafes

Ube, a vibrant purple yam, is the latest craze in South Korean cafes. Here’s where to go for lattes, cakes, shakes, ice cream and more.

Chinese coffee brands need more than low prices to compete globally: analysts

Luckin, Lucky Cup, Cotti and Nowwa are expanding quickly overseas, but analysts warn success depends on consumer experience and quality.

How Southeast Asia’s coffee chains are brewing cross-border success

Home-grown brands such as Zus Coffee are betting on cultural fluency, halal positioning and digital tools to make further inroads.

Luckin’s 30,000th store milestone adds buzz to China’s brewing coffee battle

Xiamen-headquartered chain pushes to integrate supply network worldwide and accelerate growth in markets from Asia to the US.

How Western brands are adapting to China’s changing consumer landscape

Starbucks’ China stake sale signals a seismic shift, as global firms retreat amid rising competition, price wars and evolving consumer tastes.

The unicorn has been revered for 4,000 years. It still has us under its spell

From ancient Indus Valley seals to Starbucks cups, the unicorn has long served as a symbol of magic and hope.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | From tea to TikTok: the middleman’s return is reshaping China trade

The old Canton system is re-emerging in a new guise as the likes of TikTok and Starbucks look to middlemen to navigate a divided global economy.

Opinion | China’s new property pivot is coming. Expect full stabilisation ahead

As property curbs to boost spending hit practical limits, a push to stabilise assets is now being seen as a prerequisite for consumer confidence.

Johnnie Walker maker Diageo mulls options for China assets including sale: sources

Goldman Sachs and UBS are reviewing Diageo’s operations and are sounding out interest from local strategic buyers and private equity firms.

Open Questions | Veteran investor Fang Fenglei on why China’s ‘investibility’ remains a certainty

Opinion | From tea to TikTok: the middleman’s return is reshaping China trade