Starbucks open until 1am, only filling up after lunch? What’s up with that? 3 years ago the Shenzhen Starbucks stores were mostly a home away from home for expats, now the stores seem to be the new cool for everybody. My cappuccino costs 50% more than in the US: not a deterrent it seems.
Where there is a Starbucks there’s a (future) subway station, another rule in Shenzhen, and they seem to be expanding still. Well the store density is not even close to what it is in the US, where they reached a saturation point a few years ago.
So I thought about this a bit: why Starbucks, why now? There are plenty cool coffee stores around here, with plush couches, nice atmosphere, good music etc. I decided to ask: we know it is good quality coffee, yes expensive, but good. I think that was pretty much it.
My attraction? Same as in the US. Nobody bugging you for more drinks, cool atmosphere, feels like your own little living room, study room, Jazz playing in the background, and yes, people watching (as they do in Europe on all these patios….).