Starbucks aims to operate 45,000 stores globally within the next three years | Photo credit: Starbucks

US coffee giant Starbucks is on the cusp of reaching 6,000 stores in China, its second largest market after the US, as it begins its next stage of expansion in the country. 
 

The Shanghai Lippo Plaza store, which will open on 30 September 2022, also marks Starbucks’ 1,000th outlet in Shanghai. The launch will see China’s largest city become the first city in the world to host 1,000 Starbucks locations.  
 

In September 2022, Starbucks’ Interim CEO Howard Schultz outlined plans to increase its Chinese footprint by 50% and reach 9,000 outlets by 2025. The growth target forms part of a wider company aim to operate 45,000 stores globally within the next three years. 
 

“As Starbucks celebrates our 6,000th store in China, we are deeply humbled to return where we opened our first store in Shanghai. It has been a privilege to share our love for coffee with local customers and contribute to the development of China’s coffee culture and its specialty coffee industry over the past two decades. We treasure the strong connections we have built and will never stop innovating new coffee products and experiences to delight our customers and earn their support every day,” said Leo Tsoi, CEO, Starbucks China. 

The Lippo Plaza store features new sustainability solutions and digitalised operations to reduce energy and water consumption and increase efficiency. 

As the latest in Starbucks’ portfolio of Greener Stores in China, the new outlet uses smart, energy efficient solutions for air conditioning, lighting and water usage. Starbucks plans to operate 2,500 Greener Stores by 2025. 

Additionally, digital sensors and automation tools have been incorporated to improve the efficiency and accuracy of stocktaking tasks, while machine learning algorithms have been deployed to optimise inventory ordering and workforce scheduling.  

Reporting its third quarter results ended 3 July 2023, the Seattle-based coffee chain posted $8.2bn revenues, 8% higher than in the same period during 2021. Starbucks currently operates nearly 35,000 stores globally.