Starbucks in China eyes growth through quality over quantity

Renovations and 'customers only' seating policy aimed at boosting appeal Starbucks is moving away from competing directly with rival Luckin Coffee over the expansion of store networks. (Photo by Kohei Fujimura)

The Details

November 13, 2026 07:25 JST

DALIAN, China -- Starbucks is reinventing itself in China after the U.S.-based coffee chain shifted operations to a joint venture with a local investment fund, aiming to compete on store quality rather than on scale or price.

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