Giant Robot Store and GR2 News

Starbucks in China is becoming huge. 500 shops in China, and they’re doing better than shops in the US in terms of profit. Yes, labor and material has to be much cheaper for this to be so, if it’s also written that its sales are considerably lower! They can also charge more in China. According to USA Today, “Carrying a Starbucks cup is seen as a status symbol, a way to demonstrate sophistication and the capability to afford a personal luxury for the up-and-coming middle class in China.” (USA Today – Starbucks) No matter how it’s working, it’s actually becoming a bigger success as compared to many fast food outlets who focused on speed and efficiency over comfort and luxury – which is what some of China wants.
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Most of you don’t buy magazines. It’s proven by the decline of the magazine industry, but then why do people care so much that he’s on the cover of this magazine that’s quickly shrinking in size? Tradition? If he were on the cover of si.com, you would probably think, “ok cool” but since he made it to the print edition that you hardly see or bat an eye to, it matters a lot. It’s about tradition and a popular magazine, and the Jeremy Lin story matters to Asian Americans, but most are not supporting SI by paying for this.
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