Starbucks to open 100 new stores in Malaysia

Starbucks has announced plans to open 100 new stores in Malaysia over the next four years. Group president of Starbucks China and Asia Pacific, Channel Development and Emerging Brands, John Culver, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to building the brand in Malaysia, and across Southeast Asia, during a two-day visit in Kuala Lumpur. “We have a historic opportunity to become one of the most respected and enduring brands across Southeast Asia, delivering an unparalleled experience to Starbucks customers, while supporting local communities. In Malaysia, we are humbled by the way customers have embraced the Starbucks experience, and as we look to celebrate 15 years in this dynamic market, I would like to thank our partners for earning the trust of our customers and sharing their coffee passion each and every day,” Culver said in a statement. Starbucks entered the Malaysian market with the opening of its first store at KL Plaza in Kuala Lumpur, in 1998. Today Starbucks has 141 stores across Malaysia and operates more than 700 stores across six Southeast Asian markets, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and, most recently, Vietnam. Starbucks earlier announced plans to add 100 new stores in Indonesia over three years, 100 new stores in the Philippines over the next four years and to double the number of stores in Thailand over the next five years.