December 20, 2018

What Starbucks Was Like In Hangzhou & Shanghai

Several months ago, Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson announced that the coffee giant would close down about 150 stores in the US by 2019.

Will this decision affect its global satellite branches as well?

Though I'm in no position to speculate about such financial matters, I have a thing or two to say about customer service in Starbucks' international stores, like in China. I'm sure that Starbucks in Mainland China handles clients differently from my home country, the Philippines. 🤓

Starbucks in Hangzhou Songcheng Park

https://kayelangit-luistro.blogspot.com/p/travel-diaries.html

Starbucks Hangzhou Songcheng Park

If you're flying to China this holiday season, you're likely to get your cup of java and frappe fix from good ole Starbucks. For several reasons, some people may be biased against this juggernaut, with the La Boulange Mess at the helm of its most controversial business decisions. 😠

Despite this ill-fated, heart-wrenching yet premeditated tactical maneuver, as some sectors believe, we can't deny the incredible pull we feel when confronted by Starbucks' delectable array of Hot Drinks, Frappes, Cakes, and Pastas.

That's why when we visited the Mainland, we took it upon ourselves to check the coffee landscape of Starbucks' satellite branches in Hangzhou and Shanghai.

The queue was long, and I thought it was because of the language barrier. Little did I know that most tourists were relatively good in Mandarin. What caused the delay was a spatter of follow-up questions about their orders simply because they weren't familiar with Starbucks' usual offerings in China.

The less adept Mandarin speakers resorted to English at some point because the lovely girl at the counter was proficient.

Earlier, I asked one of the staff whether the store's accepting Mastercard, and to my disappointment, she said NO. I had the common sense to check with the cashier whether this claim was valid. Imagine my jubilation when she said that they process Mastercard, but VISA is the only credit card recognized for some branches.

Starbucks in Hangzhou, China

After placing an order for a frappe, my mugs of choice were wrapped in paper and properly stowed.

My Starbucks Mainland China Collection

To while away the time, I perused some of the store's offerings, including an alluring plethora of moon cakes, sandwiches, cakes, and signature mugs.

Starbucks Mooncakes in Hangzhou

Starbucks Cakes in Hangzhou

Starbucks Sandwiches in Hangzhou

Starbucks Mugs in Hangzhou, China

Starbucks in H

The downside: It turned out that there was only ONE staff member in charge of concocting drinks, which explained the terrible delay in my order.

Starbucks in Hangzhou Songcheng Park

Despite the 20-minute wait time, I got my frappe...

Starbucks inside Hangzhou Songcheng Park

...and proceeded to have lunch at this restaurant right before Starbucks.

Chinese Resto inside Hangzhou Songcheng

Starbucks in West Lake, Hangzhou

This Starbucks branch is exquisite because it overlooks the infamous West Lake.

Unfortunately, we weren't able to enjoy the view from the store because we had to comply with the tour itinerary, much to our disappointment.

Starbucks in Hangzhou, China

Although I wanted to buy more mugs inside this branch, I couldn't follow through with my plan because of the time restrictions involved in being part of a tour. #TourDownside

Starbucks in Hangzhou, China

Starbucks Shanghai Plaza

On our last day in Shanghai, I managed to veer away from the tour itinerary while the others were having lunch at a nearby building.

The only Starbucks was at Shanghai Plaza, a shopping mall in the Huangpu district.

Starbucks in Shanghai, China

Starbucks Banner in Shanghai, China

Although it wouldn't hurt for the staff to project a more friendly and warm demeanor...

Starbucks in Shanghai, China

...I still got my frappe through a CASH transaction since almost all Starbucks branches in China don't accept MASTERCARD, just VISA. #KudosTitoUnaki

Starbucks Tropical Colada Frappe in Shanghai, China

It's always fascinating to window shop on comfort food because my leptin, a hormone that decreases appetite, is enforced, making me complete minus the calories.