US coffee giant Starbucks has opened its first community store outside the US – in the Langsuan neighborhood of Bangkok, Thailand.
The Bangkok community store is Starbucks’ fourth globally, following Los Angeles, New York and Texas.
Community stores operate with a commitment to serving the local community, with the recognition that when communities thrive, all benefit. While the profit-sharing models of each store varies according to the specific needs of the local community, one thing remains constant – the belief that when communities come together, there can be positive change.
Ten per cent of sales of hand-crafted beverages purchased at the Langsuan community store will be directed to The Integrated Tribal Development Program (ITDP). The funds will contribute to the building of a learning center in Mae KheeMukNoi and Kong Kai village’s, Mae Chaem, Chiang Mai and, thereafter, will be dedicated to supporting sustainable education, health and irrigation projects.
“The community store in Langsuan signifies our ongoing commitment to give back to communities, and more specifically, to support and sustain local coffee and farming communities in Northern Thailand,” said Starbucks chairman, president, and CEO Howard Schultz.
The Starbucks Langsuan community store location is itself a testament to tradition and culture. Housed in a traditional Thai style home, the interior space reflects local sentiment and pays homage to local culture, taking inspiration from the northern hill tribe farming communities.
“Our new community store is unique to Thailand and our hope is that this powerful relationship – which allows coffee farming communities to receive contributions from Starbucks through The Integrated Tribal Development Program (ITDP) – will be an inspiration to our partners and customers,” said MD Murray Darling of Starbucks Thailand.
As Starbucks continues to accelerate growth in Southeast Asia, it said it will double its store count in Thailand over the next five years.
“I have never been more confident in our ability to grow this market,” said Schultz.
Having entered Thailand in 1998, Starbucks now has 168 outlets across the country.
