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Tag: coffee

  • IoT-enabled smart barista coffee machines set for SEA roll out

    IoT-enabled smart barista coffee machines set for SEA roll out

    Noble Vici Group is planning to deploy smart IoT-enabled self-service barista coffee machines throughout Southeast Asia.

    The V-More Xpress machines perform real-time analytic data collection through the firm’s IoT platform and connect customers to the machines online.

    The firm has been developing its own ecosystem from e-commerce to IoT infrastructure for the past two years while tapping on internal resources and capital to expedite the installation of smart IoT-enabled barista machines across Southeast Asia within the next 18 months.

    “We aim to be the fastest player to deploy these self-service machines in Asia,” said NVGI CEO Sir Eldee Tang. “NVGI is targeting uplisting to the mainboard in the US near the end of 2020. We intend to further strengthen the mix of the management team in preparation for the future prospect ahead.”

    In conjunction with the latest round of funding initiatives, NVGI has begun the rollout of its smart barista coffee machines, partnering with Barista Uno, which sells roasted coffee sourced from Java. V-More Xpress will be able to monitor the consumption of each machine to ensure operating uptime.

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  • Starbucks China staff benefits programme offers education, health and pet care

    Starbucks China staff benefits programme offers education, health and pet care

    A new Starbucks China staff benefits program has been launched, with a range of support options for employees who have served two years.

    From January 1, qualifying partners (employees) will each be given credits they can use to select from a range of benefits. Each benefit has been designed to meet the needs and aspirations of different partners in the increasingly diverse Starbucks China Family.

    With an estimated 18,500 partners eligible for the Starbucks China staff benefits program, dubbed Flex Star Benefits, the initiative constitutes a significant investment for the company.

    To support partners’ physical and mental well-being, Starbucks encourages them to use their credits to learn a new skill, or take up a hobby that relaxes the mind and body amid the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Partners may also simply apply for a five- or 10-day mini ‘coffee break’ to recharge their batteries.

    Protecting partners’ health is another area the new program covers. Partners may use credits for HPV vaccinations that protect against diseases like cervical cancer. The benefit can be extended to partners’ female family members and even friends, a first for Starbucks. In addition, the credits can be used to upgrade partners’ current benefits such as annual health checkups.

    The Starbucks China staff benefits program also supports partners in taking care of those who matter most to them. For partners working away from their hometowns, the program allows up to three additional days of paid leave so that they can spend more time with their families on their home visits. They also have the option to use their credits for discounted travel tickets, to allay any financial concerns should they need to return home in the event of a family emergency.

    In addition, Flex Star Benefits expand Starbucks existing schemes to cover ‘life partners’ beyond the immediate family – regardless of status or gender. Another inclusion is ‘paternal care’ benefits for pets. Under the new program, pet-owning partners may enroll their pets into an insurance scheme or claim reimbursement for their pets’ medical expenses. Partners who adopt pets will be granted an additional day of annual leave.

    Finally, Starbucks encourages partners to contribute to local communities, allowing them to earn additional credits by participating in social impact activities. They can also donate their credits to the Starbucks China Cup Fund, to help fellow partners in urgent need of financial assistance.

    “Starbucks success in China is down to the passion and dedication our partners bring to work every day – in every cup of coffee they brew, and every customer connection they make,” said Starbucks China chairman and CEO Belinda Wong.

    “Since entering China 20 years ago, Starbucks has always strived to be a different kind of company. We want to share our success with all partners, in a timely and thoughtful manner that recognizes their individual needs – because each of our 55,000 partners is special.”

    Over the years, Starbucks has introduced benefits such as comprehensive insurance for spouses and children of all partners, and critical illness insurance for parents. Housing subsidies are provided to 26,000 partners who work away from their hometowns, while partners may also apply to return to work in newly-opened Starbucks stores in their hometowns under the Coming Home program.

    In addition, Starbucks China also offers partners opportunities to expand their horizons through a talent exchange program, which has helped more than 100 partners complete short-term work experience in other cities across China and overseas. And, under its global Bean Stock initiative, Starbucks granted US$21 million worth of its shares to partners across China last year.

    Partners can access the Starbucks China staff benefits program through the China Green Apron partner mobile app.

  • Hollys Coffee out-rates Starbucks in Korean poll shock

    Hollys Coffee out-rates Starbucks in Korean poll shock

    Homegrown South Korean chain Hollys Coffee has replaced Starbucks as the country’s most-loved coffee brand.

    The Korea Consumer Agency conducted a survey of 1031 consumers between September 4 and 16 who had frequented six major coffee brands in South Korea, in which Hollys Coffee received the highest score of 3.95/5 in overall consumer satisfaction.

    Starbucks, the most successful coffee brand in South Korea, received 3.93 points, ranking second.

    In terms of quality satisfaction, which includes facility management and consumer engagement, however, Starbucks received the highest score of 4.12 points.

    Hollys Coffee received the highest score of 3.99 for accessibility and convenience, and Ediya Coffee, a local low-cost franchise operator, was most acclaimed for pricing and special offers (3.62 points).

    However, roughly half of all respondents said they frequent a certain coffee brand primarily because of geographical proximity.

    Consumers believed 3055 won (US$2.60) was the ideal price for a cup of Americano.

    The data also showed that 23.2 per cent of the consumers, however, spent an average of 5000 won for a cup of coffee, suggesting that many consumers think coffee is overpriced.

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  • California coffee roaster Blue Bottle to launch in Hong Kong’s Central

    California coffee roaster Blue Bottle to launch in Hong Kong’s Central

    Artisanal coffee roaster and retailer Blue Bottle has been rumored to be expanding into Hong Kong since netizens discovered job postings for a brand experience manager and operations director back in August.

    Now, not only is the company seeking a logistics specialist on the ground, but details of a lease deal for a two-story 3000sqft space in Central have emerged.

    Blue Bottle has signed up for the space on Lyndhurst Terrace for six years.

    However, there is still no confirmation of a launch date as yet.

    Blue Bottle Coffee currently has more than 50 cafes in the US, and recently debuted in Japan and South Korea.

    The brand is renowned for its single-origin beans and its cold-brew coffee which prompted consumer-goods giant Nestle to acquire a 68-per-cent stake for US$425 million back in 2017.

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  • Ediya Coffee opens 3000th store in Korea

    Ediya Coffee opens 3000th store in Korea

    South Korean coffee chain Ediya Coffee has opened its 3000th store.

    The new Daejeon outlet is a significant milestone for the local franchise, matched only by competing for cafe and bakery Paris Baguette. Ediya has opened 300 locations each year for the past six, and has been steadily expanding since launching in Seoul in 2001.

    The firm recently appointed two vice presidents to manage the rapid expansion: Kim Nam-yeob, previously at Hyundai, and Shin Yoo-ho, who was working for Paris Baguette owner SPC Group.

    The coffee brand is named after an Ethiopean empire where the original coffee plant was discovered.

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  • Fore to ramps up network in Indonesia

    Fore to ramps up network in Indonesia

    Indonesian coffee chain Fore Coffee is plotting an aggressive expansion plan that will make it the largest coffee operator in the country.

    Fore Coffee says it has partnered with hotel operator Airy to open 1000 new locations at the latter’s hotels across Indonesia.

    The new outlets will add to its current network of more than 100, making it the largest player in Indonesia’s coffee chain market, currently dominated by Starbucks, which has around 450 outlets.

    The expansion comes after Fore Coffee secured fresh funding from venture capital firm East Ventures earlier this year.

    Launched in August 2018, Fore Coffee offers a seamless customer experience with its mobile app allowing customers to order coffee via the app and have it delivered to them or pick it up in-store. It says it is inspired by Chinese coffee chain Luckin, which embraced digital commerce by offering in-app purchases.

    Indonesian coffee chain Fore’s app has added 70,000 registered users since its launch in December last year. It has collaborated with digital wallet companies Ovo and Go-Pay, and plans to team up with many more to expand its mobile payment options.

    Fore is not the only coffee chain vying for the biggest slice of Indonesia ́s coffee chain market. Rival Kopi Kenangan plans to grow its network from around 80 outlets currently to 1000 by 2021, having raised US$20 million from Sequoia India.

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  • Starbucks store opening in Penang

    Starbucks store opening in Penang

    A second Starbucks signing store has opened in Malaysia, this one in the heart of Penang’s historical deaf community.

    The world’s fourth Starbucks signing store it is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to inclusion, accessibility and diversity. It employs six deaf and seven hearing employees fluent in Malaysian Sign Language, expanding career advancement opportunities for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in Malaysia.

    Starbucks’ first signing store globally opened in 2016 in Kuala Lumpur. The outlet’s success has inspired Starbucks to open signing stores in Washington DC in the US and in Guangzhou, China.

    In partnership with the Penang Deaf Association, Starbucks will support the professional training and development of the store’s employees, including internship opportunities and sign language classes.

    The three-story, 4600sqft store showcases how digital innovation enhances inclusive design. The store has been designed specifically to meet the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing employees and customers, including visual alarms, digital trays, and point-of-sale systems with an attached customer display.

    The Starbucks signing store also features a unique wall mural created by local deaf artist Lim Anuar, along with unique merchandise featuring sign language to raise awareness of the deaf community.

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  • Starbucks Chicago opens today

    Starbucks Chicago opens today

    Global coffee chain Starbucks today unveils a giant 35,000sqft Reserve Roastery outlet in Chicago, its largest store in the world to date.

    The five-story Starbucks Chicago store features a unique menu of Starbucks Reserve specialty coffee, boutique Milanese Princi bakery items, and an Arriviamo Bar featuring coffee cocktails Tributes to Chicago abound, including locally inspired craft cocktails, barrel aged coffee and collaborations with local artists and vendors.

    The Starbucks Chicago Reserve Roastery marks the brand’s sixth global Roastery and third in the US. Visitors will be able to see, hear and learn about the journey of coffee through intentional design, while enjoying a menu featuring unique beverages exclusive to this location. The Chicago Roastery joins locations in Seattle, Shanghai, Milan, New York and Tokyo.

    “Over the past five years, we have created the ultimate immersive experience around all-things-coffee in spectacular Starbucks Reserve Roasteries in flagship cities around the world,” said Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson. “This week we are delighted to open our doors on the sixth global Roastery in an iconic building located on Chicago’s renowned Magnificent Mile.

    “These Roasteries amplify the Starbucks brand, serve as innovation hubs, and create experiences for millions of customers around the world.”

    “The design of the Chicago Roastery was inspired by the iconic Chicago landmark, and the city itself,” said Roastery design & concept for Starbucks VP Jill Enomoto. “We embraced the building’s natural light, married it with shades of classic Starbucks greens and intentionally wove in design features to encourage customer exploration and highlight the love and respect we have for coffee.”

    The Starbucks Chicago Reserve Roastery is a working coffee roastery where Starbucks roasters will be small-batch roasting Starbucks’ rarest single-origin coffees and blends called Starbucks Reserve. The coffee roasted in Chicago will be served exclusively to visitors of the location, available in handcrafted beverages as well as freshly scooped whole bean coffee.

    In a nod to the city’s vibrant history, artwork from local Chicago artists that tell stories and encourage customers to explore can be found throughout the building’s five floors. Customers can also purchase limited-edition merchandise from Chicago-based visual artist Mac Blackout to take home with them.

    There are three coffee bars at the Roastery, which in total offer seven brewing methods, including espresso, pour over, coffee press, siphon, Chemex, Clover and cold brewing:

    Starbucks Reserve Coffee Bar: Upon entering the Roastery, visitors can visit the Reserve coffee bar on the main level, where baristas are crafting classic espresso beverages such as cappuccino, latte and cortado.

    Experiential Coffee Bar: The third floor is home to the Experiential coffee bar which provides customers the opportunity to immerse in the art, science, and theatre of coffee.  It features elevated brew methods and pairings, as well as specialty Roastery creations and brew comparison flights.

    Barrel-Aged Coffee Bar: The barrel-aged coffee bar is found on the fourth floor and showcases a variety of spirit-free coffee beverages whose beans aged in barrels. Here, visitors can explore a menu of cocktail-inspired coffee creations exclusive to the Chicago Roastery, including the Smoked Cold Fashioned (a lightly sweetened whiskey barrel-aged cold brew with aromatic bitters, smoked tableside), Minted Cold Brew (whiskey barrel-aged cold brew, shaken with mint syrup and served over pebble ice) and more.

    On-demand nitrogen gelato

    The Starbucks Chicago Reserve Roastery is the only Starbucks location in the US to offer on-demand liquid nitrogen gelato. Designed to pair with Starbucks Reserve coffee, nitrogen gelato is mixed by hand, with every scoop made on the spot. Nitrogen gelato previously debuted at the Milan Roastery when it opened in September last year.

    Arriviamo cocktail bar

    The Chicago Roastery will feature a dedicated Arriviamo Bar, like the Starbucks Reserve Roastery locations in New York and Milan. Located on the fourth floor, the Arriviamo bar features traditional and unique cocktails, all designed by local mixologists Julia Momose, Annie Beebe-Tron and Rachel Miller. Some of the cocktails feature coffee and tea.

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  • % Arabica to open four stores in Indonesia

    % Arabica to open four stores in Indonesia

    Bali, a beloved destination for tourists and popular amongst Australians has been setting up the coffee scene with Starbucks opening its largest Southeast Asian location at 20,000 sq ft earlier this year.

    Now, Kyoto-based coffee chain % Arabica has announced plans to enter the Indonesian market with four new store locations by the end of next year. Announced on the company’s Instagram feed, the new franchises will be located in Jakarta and Bali, with two of the Jakarta stores opening at District 8 and Central Park Mall.

    The first Bali store is planned for Ubud during the first quarter of next year, and will be designed by Ubud-based German designer Alexis Dornier, who previously created other % Arabica stores.

    Meanwhile, the independent coffee chain has opened its 44th global store in Hong Kong at K11 Musea designed by Pritzker Prizer winner Rem Koolhaas and David Gianotten in the shape of a golden cube kiosk.

  • South Korea’s coffee shop boom – 1 in 10 are losing money

    South Korea’s coffee shop boom – 1 in 10 are losing money

    The number of coffee shops in South Korea continues to grow. More than 71,000 coffee shops are now operating nationwide, with 14,000 openingsz last year alone.

    According to a report by KB Financial Group Management Research Institute, the increase in the number of coffee shops is because the number of new shops opening has dramatically outpaced the number of shop closures.

    In 2009, 27,000 new shops were opened and 4000 closed. On the other hand, 14,000 opened last year and 9000 closed.

    Meanwhile, 11 percent of local coffee shops were found to be operating in the red. This rate is higher than the 4.8 percent of restaurants that are also unprofitable.

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  • Starbucks Pickup store concept unveiled in NYC

    Starbucks Pickup store concept unveiled in NYC

    Starbucks Coffee has opened the first-ever Starbucks Pickup store in New York City’s Penn Plaza.

    The location uses the Mobile Order & Pay feature of the Starbucks mobile app as the primary ordering and payment method for customers. Customers who visit the location will place and pay for their orders using the app, selecting Penn Plaza as their location and building their order using the full Starbucks menu. After arriving at Penn Plaza, customers can track the progress of their order on a digital status board and pick up their beverage and food items directly from a Starbucks barista.

    In designing the Starbucks Pickup location, the company began with a prototype in the Tryer Centre, a center for innovation at the Starbucks Support Centre in Seattle. At Tryer, teams focused on operations, digital innovation and design worked with store partners (baristas) to create an experience that gave store partners the tools they needed to deliver the best customer experience.

    “Our customers who are on-the-go have told us that connection and convenience are important to them,” said Urban Markets for Starbucks VP Katie Young. “By designing a store specifically for the mobile order occasion, we can deliver both for these customers using the store’s design, location and the expertise of our baristas.”

    The concept is being evaluated for introduction in other markets where app-bas

  • Starbucks will accept Bitcoin from next year

    Starbucks will accept Bitcoin from next year

    Global coffee chain Starbucks is now on track to accept payments in the world’s best-known cryptocurrency, Bitcoin.

    The firm is partnering with Wall Street-listed Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) which will begin testing its consumer app Bakkt in Starbucks stores in the first half of next year in as many as 30,000 Starbucks outlets globally.

    Starbucks hinted it might embrace cryptocurrencies early last year when founder and former president Howard Schultz told an earnings call that he believed one or a few legitimate cryptocurrencies would emerge in the future.

    But at the time he said: “I don’t believe that bitcoin is going to be a currency today or in the future.”

    Starbucks will serve as Bakkt’s first merchant client after more than a year of reportedly slow setup due to delays in its futures exchange launch. The coffee chain began researching the Bakkt app with ICE in August last year.

    Mike Blandina, chief product officer with Bakkt said in a blog post that the companies had set up a strong team of payments engineers and is now nearing completion of the core payments and compliance platform.

    “We’re now focused on the development of the consumer app and merchant portal, as well as testing with our first launch partner, Starbucks, which we expect in the first half of next year.”

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  • Peet’s Coffee opens 60’s-inspired Shanghai pop-up store

    Peet’s Coffee opens 60’s-inspired Shanghai pop-up store

    US coffee chain Peet’s Coffee has launched a pop-up cafe in Shanghai, inspired by the design of its heritage store in California.

    The Peet’s Coffee pop up offers a wide selection of coffees and experiences, including personalized t-shirts, tote bags with distinctive patterns influenced from the 1960s period. A photo booth was installed inside the store for the customer to take photos and print out or share on social media.

    “This Peet’s Coffee pop-up experience showcases the power of experiences in transporting audiences to a different time and place, and bringing the origins of the brand to life,” said Matalie Ackerman, executive VP of design agency Jack Morton Greater China.

    Peet’s Coffee also offers live music performed by buskers outside the pop-up store to add to the retro vibe.

    To explain the message behind the brand’s legacy approach, marketing director of Peet’s Coffee China Elaine Liu said: “When Alfred Peet opened his first coffee bar in Berkeley, California in 1966, he established our long-standing commitment to roasting the highest-quality coffee and Peet’s continues to stay true to that in China.”

    Peet’s Coffee is planning to expand into other cities in China in the future.

  • Nespresso launches farm-to-table sustainability initiative

    Nespresso launches farm-to-table sustainability initiative

    Capsule coffee brand Nespresso is inviting business partners to join an exclusive farm-to-table culinary experience designed by Chef Vicky Cheng, owner and executive chef of Michelin-starred Vea Restaurant and Lounge in Hong Kong.

    To further encourage the public to participate in the Nespresso’s sustainability initiatives, Cheng will extend the unique farm-to-table experience to the acclaimed restaurant with a special gift. From November 11 to December 14, diners will receive a complimentary jar of rosella jam, made with rosella grown using recycled coffee grounds at the Nespresso Farm.

    As the chief ambassador of Nespresso Hong Kong, Cheng will be creating a one-of-a-kind luncheon using fresh vegetables harvested straight from the Nespresso Farm.

    Guests will not only indulge in the gourmet-coffee pairing menu but will also see how used coffee grounds from recycled Nespresso capsules are repurposed as compost and given new life.

    “As chef ambassador of Nespresso, I have had the opportunity to travel to the brand’s headquarters and even to the coffee farms in Colombia,” said Cheng. “From these experiences, I have witnessed the brand’s deep commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and sustainability, which are shared values that I believe are key to delivering the ultimate experiences to customers … It is a delight to be able to craft this Nespresso farm-to-table menu and cook using top quality, fresh ingredients grown from repurposed coffee grounds; I hope this inspires people to join the sustainability journey.”

    Nespresso capsules are fully recyclable, from the aluminum capsules to the coffee grounds within them. The brand’s current local capsule recycling rate is running at 24 percent. Club members can drop off their used capsules at any Nespresso Boutique or use the Recycling@Home service – a doorstep collection system where used capsules are picked up when a new order is delivered.

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  • Contaminated water forces seven Vietnamese Starbucks stores to close

    Contaminated water forces seven Vietnamese Starbucks stores to close

    Coffee chain Starbucks has temporarily closed seven outlets in Hanoi, Vietnam as the city copes with serious oil contamination of its water supply.

    According to a customer service staff member, the Starbucks Hanoi stores are closed in areas where water comes from the Da River, including Cau Giay, Ha Dong and Nam Tu Liem districts. The coffee chain has not confirmed a reopening date.

    The contamination traces back to a truck seen dumping used oil into a mountain creek in Phu Minh Commune, Hoa Binh Province last week which has led to contaminated tap water for about 1 million Hanoi residents.

    While Starbucks is not alone in closing stores, other major coffee chains and eateries in the contaminated areas have arranged alternative sources of water and remain open.

    Local news media report that tap water has now passed safety tests, but Hanoi officials advise consumers against drinking or cooking with it.

    Meanwhile, there are widespread reports of bottled water prices soaring in the city as people rush to buy safe water. While tap water in Vietnam is not considered safe to drink it is generally acceptable to use it for cooking.

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