Starbucks in China Faces Questions Over Sign Requiring Purchases Before Seating

Key summary

Reports indicate that some Starbucks locations in mainland China have posted signs requiring customers to purchase items before using the seating area. Global Times reported an online message stating, "Please purchase something before coming in to sit." Some social media users stated that the rule would go into effect on October 20, 2026, but Global Times quoted employees at three branches in Beijing who said they had not received any official notification about the policy. Starbucks China's customer service department has not confirmed whether the rule will be implemented. A statement from Starbucks China stated that the company is committed to providing a comfortable "Third Place" experience and will continue to develop in-store experiences by listening to feedback from customers and employees across the country. While there has been no official confirmation of the policy, some reports indicate that employees at certain branches have been informed of the requirements, stating that the stores will encourage customers to make a purchase before sitting, but the rule will not apply to everyone, including food delivery personnel, people seeking shelter from the rain, security personnel, pregnant women needing a place to rest, and potentially, those seeking free hot water. The issue of occupying space without making a purchase is not new for Starbucks in China. In September, a branch in Nanxiong, Sichuan province, was discussed online after tables and chairs were locked in front of the store due to regular use by individuals who were not making purchases. In July, a similar sign requiring purchases before seating was also posted at a branch in Tianjin. This practice of managing space is not limited to China. In January 2025, Starbucks adjusted its practices in the United States and Canada, prioritizing the use of facilities for customers who make purchases. Previously, the stores allowed anyone to use the space, even if they did not make a purchase. This situation reflects a key challenge for coffee shop businesses in an era where the value of space within the store is increasingly comparable to that of products and services.