How Starbucks is different in China

When it comes to Starbucks in New York, one thing comes to mind: homeless and sometimes crazy people (except for the Reserve stores). That makes it a less than ideal place to stay very long or study/work. Starbucks in China, on the other hand, has a very inviting and different experience. It is reportedly opening a store every 15 hours in China!

Starbucks in China is not only a great place to study or work, but I found that it is a meeting place for business conversations. I can see groups of people chatting about projects or trying to work up a deal while sipping on Starbucks drinks. The ambiance is more relaxed and casual than discussing business in a typical meeting room. Starbucks is a great way to treat clients or a prospective customer to something while also being an appropriate place to discuss work. This is quite interesting and different from Starbucks in the US.

I went to a Starbucks in Beijing to check out the design and found that the seating arrangements are conducive for business meetings. For example, below you can see a few high bar tables and 3-4 stools paired with them. There are no outlets nearby, so that those looking to study can take the community table (shown below).