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  • Vietnamese Gold Bar Prices Climb Amid Global Market Fluctuations And Anticipation Of Us Interest Rate Cuts

    Vietnamese Gold Bar Prices Climb Amid Global Market Fluctuations And Anticipation Of Us Interest Rate Cuts

    Vietnamese gold bar rates experienced a climb on Monday morning, following a decrease over the weekend. Saigon Jewelry Company, a notable gold bar trader in the region, saw prices rise by 0.33%, bringing their rates up to VND151.5 million (US$5,750.62) per tael after their 1.31% fall over the weekend. Similarly, Asia Commercial Bank-branded bullion also saw its prices on par with the rates of Saigon Jewelry Company.

    Domestic gold bar prices now stand at VND15.5 million per tael higher than global rates. Meanwhile, the price for gold rings remained steady, circling around VND150.2 million per tael. Here, a tael is the equivalent of 37.5 grams or 1.2 ounces.

    Global Gold Market Trends

    In the global market, gold prices saw a slight ascent on Monday, influenced by the probability of more U.S. interest rate reductions. Investors with their eyes on the gold market are currently waiting for the release of U.S. inflation data along with the U.S.-China trade negotiations for further cues on market direction this week.

    Spot gold had an uptick of 0.1%, standing at $4,253.33 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures for December delivery saw an increase of 1.3%, adjusting to $4,266.30 per ounce.

    Spot silver experienced a rise of 0.5% to reach $52.12 per ounce. This came after prices took a 4.4% fall on Friday, marking their worst session since early April, despite hitting a record peak of $54.47 earlier that day.

    Kyle Rodda, a market analyst from Capital.com, remarked, “The gold market is trying to find its footing after Friday’s selloff. Sentiment is normalizing, cooling down a bit, after a few weeks of mania.” Gold experienced about a 1.8% plunge on Friday, marking the steepest fall since mid-May, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement that his proposed 100% tariff on goods from China would not be sustainable.

    Questions & Answers

    Why did the gold bar prices in Vietnam increase on Monday?
    The increase in gold bar prices on Monday followed a decline over the weekend. This is a common market fluctuation.

    How are global gold prices performing?
    Global gold prices saw a slight increase on Monday, influenced by the potential for more U.S. interest rate cuts. Investors are also waiting on U.S. inflation data and U.S.-China trade discussions for further market direction.

    What caused the drop in gold prices on Friday?
    Gold prices fell after a statement from U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that his proposed 100% tariff on goods from China would not be sustainable, leading to market uncertainty.

  • Marou Honored with Dual Awards in France for Outstanding Achievement

    Marou Honored with Dual Awards in France for Outstanding Achievement

    The Prix Épicures de l’Épicerie Fine, a prestigious annual event spotlighting artisanal food, took place on April 28 at Pavillon Gabriel in Paris, hosted by Le Monde de l’Épicerie Fine. The 2025 edition attracted a vibrant gathering of over 140 producers and more than 800 attendees, including industry professionals, journalists, and culinary aficionados from across Europe.

    Marou’s Ca Phe Sua Chocolate Bar clinched the title of “Best Chocolate in the World 2025” in the Food category (Trophées Alimentaires). This delightful creation blends the rich flavors of Vietnamese coffee and condensed milk, incorporating organic Robusta coffee, fresh milk, and dark chocolate crafted from local cacao. Not only does this accolade celebrate the bar’s exceptional taste, but it also acknowledges Marou’s commitment to showcasing local ingredients while adhering to international quality standards.

    This isn’t Marou’s first time basking in the limelight. The brand has previously garnered gold, silver, and bronze medals from the London Academy of Chocolate and the International Chocolate Awards, all celebrating its remarkable flavors and quality. In 2016, the brand was lauded by culinary luminaries like Michelin three-star chef Michel Roux and patissier Pierre Hermé.

    But the awards didn’t stop with the chocolate bar. Marou also earned the “Coups de cœur du jury” (Jury’s Favorite Packaging) for its 55% Dark Chocolate Bar with Roasted Buckwheat. Could it be that packaging has taken the spotlight?

    The judges evaluated the packaging based on creativity, brand consistency, material quality, environmental responsibility, and functionality. Marou distinguished itself by utilizing recycled cacao husks, showcasing its commitment to sustainability and creatively illustrating the cacao journey—from bean to bar.

    Moreover, Marou’s packaging underscores the origins of its ingredients, honoring Vietnamese agricultural traditions, cacao heritage, and the vital roles played by local farmers and fermentation artisans. The brand has previously snagged four international packaging design awards, including three from the Pentawards and another from The Dieline Awards, notable for its striking designs inspired by Dong Ho folk paintings.

    The dual accolades at the 2025 Prix Épicures de l’Épicerie Fine bolster Marou’s reputation in the premium chocolate arena. The brand credits its achievements to three principles: direct sourcing, artisan craftsmanship, and intentional design. Collaborating closely with local farmers and fermentation specialists, Marou ensures high-quality cacao while championing sustainable agriculture, treating each bean as a reflection of its unique origin.

    The emphasis on design transcends mere functionality; Marou’s packaging narrates the rich tapestry of Vietnamese culture and cacao traditions through its visual identity and material choices.

    “These awards reflect our creativity, artistry, and dedication to Vietnamese culture in every product,” said a Marou representative. “With a sustainable vision and exceptional quality, we continue leading the way, sharing Vietnamese chocolate with the world and leaving a lasting imprint on the global stage.”

    Questions & Answers

    What is the significance of the Prix Épicures de l’Épicerie Fine?
    It’s a prestigious award recognizing the best in artisanal and premium food, bringing together producers, professionals, and culinary enthusiasts.

    What makes Marou’s Ca Phe Sua Chocolate Bar special?
    It combines the flavors of Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk, featuring organic ingredients and a commitment to local sourcing.

    How does Marou prioritize sustainability in its packaging?
    Marou uses recycled cacao husks for its packaging, promoting environmental responsibility while telling the story of cacao production and its local heritage.

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  • Apple iPhone users can move Chrome’s URL address bar to the bottom of the screen

    Apple iPhone users can move Chrome’s URL address bar to the bottom of the screen

    Google is about to offer iPhone users the option to move the URL address bar (also known as the Omnibox) on Chrome to the bottom of the screen. Currently available only to iPhone users who enable a flag, a future update should allow all iOS users to move the bar on Chrome. By moving the URL address bar near the bottom of the display, users can more easily navigate the browser using one hand.
    If you want to move the Omnibox on the iOS version of Chrome to the bottom of the display, here is what you do. Open the Chrome app on your iPhone. From the URL field (AKA Omnibox) enter  chrome://flags. When the next page opens, in the rectangular search bar type in bottom-omnibox-steady-state. That should take you directly to the correct flag. Press the pill-shaped button that says “Default.”  Tap on “Enable,” close Chrome and re-open it.
    Once you’re back in Chrome, tap the three-line Hamburger icon in the lower right corner and then tap Settings (the gear icon) at the top of the screen. You’ll see a menu; scroll down to the listing Bottom Omnibox and toggle it on. And that is it. Your URL address bar, AKA your Omnibox, will now be on the bottom of the screen whenever you use Chrome on your iPhone.
    You might recall that when iOS 15 was in beta, Apple moved the URL address bar to the bottom of the screen on the Safari mobile browser. This created an uproar among iPhone fans who, while loyal, aren’t known for their flexibility. Those complaining said that moving the bar to the bottom of the screen made Reader Mode and the refresh button hard to find. So in iOS 15 Public Beta 4, Apple did away with the changes to Safari. However, Safari users on iPhone now have the choice between placing the mobile browser’s Unibox at the top or the bottom of the display.
    To make your selection, go to Settings > Safari and scroll down to the Tabs heading. You can choose between having the URL address bar/Omnibox at the top of the screen, or at the bottom. Remember, having it at the bottom might make it easier to use the browser one-handed.
  • Starbucks plans rapid expansion in Thailand

    Starbucks plans rapid expansion in Thailand

    Starbucks Thailand has announced an expansion strategy, which calls for opening 30 new coffee shops in Thailand every year until 2024 – 90 in all – according to Bangkok Post.

    The company claims to be prepared to expand again this year, after sales improved during the first half of this year. In addition, Starbucks Thailand also says it will concentrate on expanding its digital platform channels, add more drive-thru locations, and introducing novel beverages.

    Nednapa Srisamai, MD of Starbucks Thailand, told the Bangkok Post that the brand’s well-known profile in the country created an opportunity to expand the network. While a major regional tourist destination, Thais also have a coffee-drinking culture.

    Starbucks began its operation in Thailand by opening its first coffeehouse in July 1998 and was acquired under the joint venture between Dairy Farm subsidiary Maxim’s and Singapore-headquartered Fraser & Neave (F&N) in 2019 in a deal valued at US$500 million.

    Last year, the brand introduced its largest store in the region, Starbucks Reserve Chao Phraya Riverfront, located at IconSiam in Bangkok.

    Starbucks also plans to strengthen its digital presence after partnering with Grab earlier this year to launch Starbucks Rewards aiming to enhance the customer experience in Southeast Asia’s six largest markets – the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.

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  • $4 Starbucks coffee has become a daily staple

    $4 Starbucks coffee has become a daily staple

    While the franchise’s 2021 financial results took a hit because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a tangible gain has been the Starbucks VND90,000 ($4)coffee becoming a daily staple in Vietnam.

    Starbucks Vietnam general manager Patricia Marques said that despite the impacts of the nine-week social distancing orders in 2021, the global coffee brand has built up a regular customer base for its coffee worth VND90,000-100,000.

    She said it has also established more outlets away from the downtown in new urban areas, buildings, and local communities. While people used to prefer living close to the center of a locality, they are willing to live a little further away these days, she said.

    Starbucks Vietnam closed three outlets but opened nine new ones in 2021. Between December 2021 and January 2022, it opened another six: three in Hanoi; two in HCMC; and one in the southern province of Binh Duong.

    In Vietnam, Starbucks currently has 77 outlets whose takeaway sales have grown amid Covid-19 outbreaks.

    Marques said she expected instability to continue in Vietnam’s food and beverage market this year, but takeaway revenue, non-cash payment, and e-commerce would continue to grow.

    While there is still a lot of vacant space, it will not be easy for food and beverage businesses to find satisfactory locations at a reasonable price, she said. Citing data from a partner, she said the rent of commercial premises in Vietnam increased by 3 percent, while it decreased 10 percent in Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos.

    According to the brands’ official websites, chains with the highest number of outlets in Vietnam are the domestic brands Highlands (462 stores), The Coffee House (146), and Trung Nguyen (89).

    U.S.-based Starbucks made consolidated revenues of $29.1 billion in the fiscal year 2021 (ending in the third quarter of 2021), up 24 percent against over 2020.

    In the fiscal year 2022, the brand expects global earnings of $32.5-33 billion, beating Wall Street’s estimate of $32.07 billion, and plans to open about 2,000 new outlets globally, three-quarters of them outside the U.S. According to data recorded by Statista, as of November 2021, Starbucks had 33,833 outlets worldwide.

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  • Low-cost café franchising booms despite Covid

    Low-cost café franchising booms despite Covid

    Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, more and more low-price cafés are franchising and doing well. At 9.00 every day a Napoli café franchisee on Dong Nai Road, District 10, HCMC is crowded. Its owner, Hoang, says: “We directly serve hundreds of customers a day. The number of customers making orders via apps is double that.”

    A café franchised by Milano on Pham Van Chieu Road, Go Vap District, also gets hundreds of customers daily, one of its employees says.

    Many other similar outlets are also making good profits despite the pandemic, mainly selling through apps and e-commerce websites.

    Nguyen Duc Hung, the founder of Napoli Coffee, said that after starting in 2010 his company has so far franchised 3,000 outlets which fetch hundreds of billions of dong annually.

    “We franchise an average of two to three coffee shops a month. Some of our partners want to open more shops though they already own five”.

    Now there are thousands of Milano franchisees across the country. Trung Nguyen E-Coffee franchised coffee shops are present in 54 cities and provinces.

    The franchisors do not seek royalties for their trademarks or other such fees, and most of their profits come instead from the construction and decoration of coffee shops or sales of packaged coffee and beverages they produce

    Napoli offers three franchising packages costing VND70-350 million for cafes of 50-100 square meters in size. The packages include a five-year warranty, decoration, furniture, lighting, uniforms, and the coffee-making process, and exclude the costs of sanitary equipment and salaries.

    Trung Nguyen E-Coffee offers franchising packages worth VND65-175 million.

    Le Anh Tu, a lecturer at Van Lang University in HCMC, said the low-price café franchising model thrives despite Covid because franchisors support franchisees a lot, and products are sold at reasonable prices like VND12,000-30,000 for a cup of coffee.

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  • Hey! Kafe ramps up local expansion plan

    Hey! Kafe ramps up local expansion plan

    Indonesia-based digitally-native beverage startup, Hey! Kafe, is expanding its local footprint with 300 stores by the end of next year.

    According to the company, the brand’s expansion plan will be supported by an asset-light model backed by technology. That means a majority of its outlets will be compact booths that minimize capital expenditure and facilitate Grab & Go delivery service.

    Online delivery orders are projected to account for 70 percent of the brand’s sales.

    Founded by Edward Djaja, who is also the founder of Seven Retail, Hey! Kafe has opened 60 stores across the country since its launch in June last year.

    Focusing on the product development process, Hey! Kafe tests more than 20 product concepts each month, targeting the young customer segment with more than 12,000 cups of beverages sold daily.

    “Here in Hey! Kafe, our north star metric is same-store sales growth, which enables the brand to achieve stellar unit economics,” said Djaja. “We are proud to say that our strategy has resulted in a payback period of under 12 months, which is a key milestone for us to scale rapidly in a sustainable manner in the coming years.”

    The beverage retailer is supported by several investors, including Trihill Capital, which backed the company in the seed round. Besides its expansion plan, Hey! Kafe also plans to launch an in-house mobile application next year.

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  • Kellogg’s introduces mixed grain bar

    Kellogg’s introduces mixed grain bar

    Kellogg’s retailers are set for a boost this summer as Kellogg’s announces the launch of three new products. This July, Kellogg’s is introducing Kellogg’s Multi-grain Corn Flakes to the cereal category, a new product from its oldest brand.

    Kellogg’s retailers are set for a boost this summer as Kellogg’s announces the launch of three new products. This July, Kellogg’s is introducing Kellogg’s Multi-grain Corn Flakes to the cereal category, a new product from its oldest brand. Kellogg’s Multi-grain Corn Flakes contains the goodness of three grains; each golden flake is a combination of corn, wholegrain rice and wheat. Kellogg’s consumer research shows that Kellogg’s Corn Flakes are still a firm favorite.

    This new innovation offers fans of the Original the great taste of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes but with the added extra of the goodness of multi-grain.Kellogg’s Corn Flakes fits into the ‘everyday favourites’ sector of the cereal market which is currently worth £269m. Kellogg’s hopes that innovation from its best-loved cereal will enable retailers to maximise on this growing sector.

    Support will begin with TV advertising and promotional pricing beginning in August.

    UK Sales Director, Kevin Brownsey, comments, ”Kellogg’s Multi-grain Corn Flakes are the perfect product for retailers to make the most of the growing consumer interest in health. Consumers trust the Original and know it’s a good breakfast choice – the addition of multi-grain helps to strengthen its health credentials”.

    The snacks category will also be expanded with Nutri-Grain Chocolate Oat-Baked Bar and Special K Mini-Breaks.

    Kellogg’s is building upon the incredible success of Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Oat Baked Bars with a new variant – Nutri-Grain Chocolate Oat Baked Bars. Launched last year, Nutri-Grain Oat Baked Bars proved a welcome addition to the portfolio and was the number one Kellogg’s snack innovation for 2006.

    The new variant has the same substantial flapjack texture of the original but the added chocolate also satisfies consumers’ sweet cravings.

    Research shows that new product development (NPD) is increasingly important to the total cereal bars category and is now worth over 10% of the total value. Nutri-Grain NPD has also consistently driven the brand growth.

    The entire Nutri-Grain Oat Baked Bars range will be supported with TV advertising in September and the new chocolate variant will be advertised on back of packs. In July, money-off vouchers will hit 2,000,000 households.

    Kellogg’s is also widening its snack offerings with a new bagged snack – new Special K Mini Breaks. At just 99 calories a bag, these new biscuity bites of baked golden oats, wheat, and rice are a controlled calorie solution for consumers with an attack of ‘the nibbles’. The bagged format is designed to fit a number of snacking needs such as snacking at the desk, sharing, and ‘boredom snacking’.

    Available in two variants – Original (multi-packs and singles) and Chocolate (multi-packs) – Special K Mini Breaks will help retailers to achieve incremental growth on the Special K snacking brand. Previous snack innovations for this brand have proved very successful, for example, Special K Chocolate Chip Bar was launched in 2005 and is now worth over £5m.

    Special K Mini Breaks will begin with a four-week burst of TV advertising in September and the product will appear on the back of packs of existing Special K snacks and cereal.

    UK Sales Director, Kevin Brownsey, comments,” With such a diverse number of snacking occasions, the snacks sector is an area of significant opportunities for retailers. The new Nutri-Grain Bar and Special K Mini Breaks help retailers to provide a product to fit these emerging occasions and fill as many consumer snacking needs as possible. The popularity of bagged snacks is growing and Special K Mini Breaks are just the first in a number of bagged snacks innovations planned by Kellogg’s over the next two years.”

  • Coles revamps cereals aisle, moving healthy options mainstream

    Coles revamps cereals aisle, moving healthy options mainstream

    Coles is making its healthy breakfast options more accessible, transforming the chain’s cereals aisle by adding a larger range of healthy products.

    More than 50 new healthy cereals, muesli, and breakfasts on the go have been added, to meet surging demand for healthy and nutritious products among Aussie consumers.

    The new range includes Coles’ first breakfast in beverage form, Breakfast on the Move, Wellness Road toasted muesli range with high fibre grain Barleymax, and an exclusive range of 11 ‘Goodness Bowl’ cereals and low sugar mueslis from Uncle Toby’s.

    According to the company, the new aisle is tailored to help customers easily find dietary options in one destination, including a new ‘Gluten Free Cereal’ section which was previously only found in the health food aisle.

    “Customers will love the simplicity of finding their favorite breakfast products in the main aisle and making healthy choices part of their everyday lives,” said Leanne White, GM for grocery at Coles.

    “The changes we’ve made will help make it easier, enjoyable, and affordable for millions of customers, particularly those with special dietary requirements, to shop for suitable healthy breakfast options.”

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  • Japanese juice chain Honey’s Bar makes Singapore debut

    Japanese juice chain Honey’s Bar makes Singapore debut

    A new healthy and refreshing beverage option in town to quench your thirst and restore your energy. HONEY’S BAR Singapore, will commence its operation on 15th April 2021 with its very first store located at Jurong Point, Level B1-85, just along the SHOKUTSU TEN Japanese Food Street.

    Maintaining at a good selection of 8 juice options at all times, all of HONEY’S BAR juices are made with honey exclusively imported from Japan as its base ingredient with no added sugars. Honey is easily digested by the human body, making it an excellent energy absorption ingredient, thereby the best supplement to be used in a drink for energy replenishment. It also contains vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for everyone.

    In line with the seasonality of Japanese food production cycle, HONEY’S BAR also offers seasonal juices that are specially curated with seasonal Japanese fruits. From the classic ‘Mixed Juice’, ‘Carrot & Apricot’, ‘Melon’ menu to the premium seasonal menu like ‘Japanese Strawberry Mix Yoghurt’ and ‘Japanese Seasonal Citrus, Mango and Apple’, it aims to offer Singaporeans the taste of ‘Japan’ with Japanese fruit ingredients that are imported directly from Japan.

    Coming in 3 different sizes for all 8 menus – Small, Regular, and Large. Every cup of fresh fruit juice offered by HONEY’S BAR are served with a controlled sweetness from honey to ensure an enjoyable ‘sipping’ experience.

    Operated as a franchise chain business in Singapore, HONEY’S BAR is managed by JRE Ya Kun Food Service Pte. Ltd, a local joint venture company formed by JR East’s Singapore subsidiary, JR East Business Development SEA Pte. Ltd., and Ya Kun International Pte Ltd (Ya Kun).

    Through HONEY’S BAR, both JR East and Ya Kun aim to capture the attention of health-conscious consumers with a passion for healthy and refreshing beverages that taste refreshing and delightful!

  • Cafe de Coral Group appoints new managing director

    Cafe de Coral Group appoints new managing director

    Café de Coral has promoted Piony Leung to managing director (Hong Kong) with immediate effect.  In her new position, Leung reports to group CEO Peter Lo and manages business operations and provides strategic leadership across Café de Coral Group’s business in the city, including quick-service restaurants, casual dining, and institutional catering. She will also play a pivotal role in meeting the company’s growth goals in the Hong Kong F&B sector.

    Piony was previously managing director (quick-service restaurants) of Café de Coral Group, and boasts more than 25 years of experience in the retail and fast-moving consumer goods industries. Under her leadership in 2020, the group’s quick-service restaurants business took a number of actions to address weak market conditions, shifted marketing focus to promote take-away and delivery services, redesigned menus to meet changing demand, and introduced an e-commerce platform for selling popular seasonal products such as poon choi and party sets.

    “In the face of unprecedented challenges, I am deeply impressed by our frontline staff who have gone above and beyond to service our customers while doing their best to meet our business goals. Although the economic outlook remains uncertain, I am committed to working side by side with my team members to explore future business opportunities and retain the Group’s leadership position in this rapidly changing market,” she commented.

    Speaking of Leung’s appointment, Lo said her leadership skills had led the team through major market shocks and adapted to the challenging business landscape.

    “In the post-pandemic era, it is essential that the group is able to capture opportunities bought by the fast-changing market and consumer behaviours. I have every confidence that she will be able to maximize business synergies and build a stronger brand portfolio by integrating the quick service restaurants, casual dining and institutional catering business as a whole, offering a wide range of food options that cater to the diverse tastes of the greater community,” Lo explained.

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  • Starbucks opens its largest coffee store in Thailand

    Starbucks opens its largest coffee store in Thailand

    Starbucks today celebrates 20 years of delivering the Starbucks Experience to customers throughout Thailand with the recently opened Central World store– its largest store in Bangkok. Located on the first floor of CentralWorld, the store features a Starbucks Reserve Bar and, for the first time in Asia, Starbucks® DRAFT beverages infused with nitrogen.

    Starbucks CentralWorld is Thailand’s largest Reserve Bar store composed of Starbucks traditional coffee bar as well as the Starbucks Reserve Bar, which invites customers to deepen their coffee knowledge. Featuring the Black Eagle espresso machine for unique, espresso-forward beverages and various brewing methods such as the Siphon, Chemex, and Pour Over, customers can taste Starbucks Reserve, small-lot coffees for a premium coffee experience specially-crafted by Starbucks Coffee Master partners (employees) whose passion and knowledge of coffee is highlighted by their black aprons.

    Starbucks DRAFT makes its Asia debut in the store on a four-tap system delivering Starbucks Cold Brew and nitrogen-infused Starbucks Cold Brew, tea and milk. This latest beverage innovation draws in customers with its velvety texture cascades from the taps causing a sensory experience to both taste and see. The Starbucks DRAFT counter, found on the first floor of the store, highlights select nitro beverages including Nitro Cold Brew, Nitro Peach Tea, Nitro Green Tea Latte, Nitro Caramel Macchiato and Nitro Flat White.

    “From the success of Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew coffee, we continue to search for beverage innovation to elevate the customer experience. Today, we are pleased to launch Starbucks® DRAFT, an innovative cold beverage offering a rich, creamy texture for each beverage.” says Nednapa Srisamai, managing director of Starbucks Coffee (Thailand) Ltd. “This is a new cold beverage experience not to be missed.”

    This beverage innovation is the first-of-its-kind in Starbucks across Asia further elevating the cold beverage experience. Starbucks® DRAFTis also available today at one location in the U.S.

    As customers enter the space for the first time, their eyes will be drawn to the high, gold ceiling inspired by the natural terraces where coffee is grown, paying homage to the landscapes of coffee-growing terrain. The ceiling begins the coffee journey for customers by inviting them to come in from the outside and move towards the central Starbucks Reserve bar where the aroma of coffee can be enjoyed all around.

    The 760 metre store has more than 230 seats and two large rooms is designed to host community events or small gatherings surrounded by locally-relevant art installations throughout the store. Local artists Rukkit Kuanhawate created a feature piece highlighting the various coffee growing regions through regional wildlife including, the Sumatran Tiger, Kenyan Elephant and Guatemalan Quetzal bird. Similarly, Irin (Ann) Ariyatanap and her team handpainted murals using drawings of coffee botanicals and Thai floral motifs alongside imagery of the Starbucks Reserve coffee silos found exclusively at the Reserve Roasteries.

    Continuing on the coffee journey, customers are delighted upon entering the store with wooden coffee scoops engraved with messages and colorful motifs describing the various parts of the coffee tree. Similarly, the walls of both meeting rooms serve as tribute to the bean-to-cup story through natural hemp woven art, hand painted ceramics and a floor-to-ceiling wood carving.

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  • Starbucks global sales fall despite Chinese boost

    Starbucks global sales fall despite Chinese boost

    Starbucks Corp. slumped in late trading on Tuesday after reporting a sales decline that was deeper than expected and the departure of Chief Operating Officer Roz Brewer.

    Global same-store sales, a key gauge of restaurant success, fell 5% in the fiscal first quarter. That’s worse than the estimated decline of 4.2% compiled by Consensus Metrix. A 5% drop in the U.S. was just ahead of estimates, while a 5% gain in China beat expectations.

    The results show the company is facing an uneven road back following the deep impact of the global pandemic. Despite the continued weakness in many markets, strength in China and overall same-store sales that are better than the previous quarter suggest it’s past the worst.

    Brewer’s exit, however, shows a substantial shakeup is underway in the coffee giant’s C-suite. Starbucks announced earlier this month that Chief Financial Officer Pat Grismer is leaving the company due to retirement. He will be replaced by Rachel Ruggeri, senior vice president of finance for the Americas.

    Brewer is leaving to become chief executive officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

    In spite of the management changes, Starbucks sees performance turning around quickly from here, and the current quarter’s results will be bolstered by a year-ago comparison with the start of the pandemic when commerce was the most restricted.

    In the second quarter, U.S. same-store sales will grow 5% to 10%, the company said. Comparable sales in China will nearly double, the company said, although the result will be skewed by the pandemic comparison.

    Starbucks reported fewer transactions overall, but customers spent higher amounts, continuing a trend established earlier in the pandemic. Revenue fell 5% from the prior year.

    The U.S. and China are the company’s two largest markets, and together making up 61% of its global portfolio, with 15,340 and 4,863 stores, respectively, it said. Starbucks opened 278 net new stores in the quarter, underscoring how the company is looking to aggressively expand in spite of the global upheaval caused by Covid-19. The company also reported a 15% increase in members to its loyalty program.

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  • Gordon Ramsay to open first restaurant in Malaysia

    Gordon Ramsay to open first restaurant in Malaysia

    Multi-Michelin starred chef Gordon Ramsay is to open Malaysia’s first Bar & Grill concept in Kuala Lumpur this year.

    Located at Sunway Resort in Selangor, Bar & Grill will feature a varied all-day menu, including Gordon Ramsay’s signature dishes such as Beef Wellington and Sticky Toffee Pudding. The restaurant is scheduled to launch this June.

    Featuring contemporary interiors, the restaurant design will “create an inviting ambiance, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing views of the lagoon, and a private dining room, setting the stage for intimate events,” Sunway Resort KL said on its website.

    The restaurant will also mark the brand’s first outpost outside the original Mayfair outlet.

    Gordon Ramsay, who holds seven Michelin stars, has a collection of acclaimed restaurants in the UK, Europe, and the US. He is also the star of popular shows such as Kitchen Nightmares, Hell’s Kitchen, and MasterChef US.

  • Costa sliming down Chinese cafe network

    Costa sliming down Chinese cafe network

    British coffee franchise Costa will pull back further from the China market by early next year.

    In response to a dip in consumer demand, the Coca-Cola-owned firm reduced its physical stores within the territory by around 10 percent last month, half of which were located in the capital, Beijing. It has also shuttered its entire network in the coastal city of Qingdao.

    The brand’s long-standing aspirations for China have been frustrated during the Covid-19 pandemic, caused by rising unemployment and other economic factors hit by the outbreak. The firm’s operations have also been strongly impacted by the virus within its home market, with 1650 staff dropped off the payroll in the UK

    Costa has had significant difficulties facing the competitive Chinese coffee shop market, having launched just a sixth of its 2500-store target network since opening in 2006. Despite this, recent statements by the firm reaffirm its commitment to the market.

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