Starbucks Opens Free Study Rooms in China to Draw Customers

Starbucks has launched free "study rooms" in some of its China outlets, the company's latest initiative to help boost consumer traffic as domestic competition surges in its second-biggest market.

- 

BEIJING -

The study areas have been launched in some stores in southern Guangdong Province, home to millions of young workers at the country's export, manufacturing and technology hubs, Starbucks China said in a statement on its official Weibo account this week.

The rooms are Starbucks' latest initiative in China in 2025 as it tries to revive sales growth amid stiff competition from cheaper local rivals like Luckin Coffee, which regularly rolls out new products and flavors, and the soaring popularity of Chinese tea chains.

The Seattle-based coffee giant also wants to reassert itself as a welcoming "third place" for leisure outside the home.

There is no time limit or reservation needed to use the spaces and people are not required to purchase anything from Starbucks.