Starbucks China tells customers to buy something before they sit down, as it invests $45 million in the store experience

Customers looking for a seat at Starbucks locations in China are being told to buy something before sitting down. The customer-facing rule comes as the company invests $45 million in its store experience.

Purchase required before sitting

The guidance means visitors who want to use seating at their nearest Starbucks in China should place an order first. The available information does not specify whether the approach applies to every Starbucks location in the country or how it is being implemented across stores.

Investment in the store experience

Alongside the seating policy, Starbucks is committing $45 million to its store experience in China. The investment and the purchase requirement put attention on how customers use Starbucks locations, but no further details were provided about how the funding will be allocated.

For Starbucks China, the two developments connect a basic part of the in-store customer experience—access to seating—with a broader investment in its stores. The company has not provided additional information on the timing or expected results of either measure.