Starbucks News - Europe, Middle East, Africa

With a few days left to register to vote in June’s General Election, Bite The Ballot and Starbucks UK are encouraging young people to get together in their communities to talk politics over coffee. 

Each April marks Starbucks Global Month of Service, the highlight of our year round commitment to having a positive impact in the communities we serve. Here’s what’s took place across the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. 

200 young people from London and Birmingham were welcomed at special events hosted by Starbucks partners dedicated to inspiring and educating youth about future workplace opportunities.

For the very first time, Starbucks is launching Nitro Cold Brew in Paris. Available in the beautifully Capucines store in Paris, this delicious new trendy drink is bound to take the city by storm. It will be available in 30 Parisians stores in total by the summer. 

Millions of young people across the Middle East & North Africa region have limited access to employment opportunities, and they find themselves unable to become economically active in their communities.

Starbucks gives away a limited number of free reusable cups in participating stores across Great Britain, in activity supported by Clean Up Britain.

A new apprenticeship programme launched by two district managers in Northern Ireland has been shortlisted for an industry award just two years after launching. 

This month, Starbucks celebrated its one year anniversary with National Childbirth Trust (NCT), the UK’s largest parenting charity.

The world’s leading coffee company opens Qatar’s first Starbucks store with Reserve coffee, served on a Clover Brewing System, at the Doha Festival City - Qatar’s largest entertainment, fashion and dining destination. 

“It is thanks to the hard work of our partners all around the country that we have recorded a UK profit for the third straight year," said Martin Brok, president, Starbucks Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) 

After successfully launching new espresso capsules in 2016, Starbucks is expanding its range with four new coffees. The new capsules, compatible with Nespresso®* machines, introduce a blonde roast lungo and decaffeinated option to the assortment.

With National Apprenticeship Week in the UK underway, two store partners from the Colmore Row store in Birmingham recognise the importance of the Starbucks Apprenticeship programme. 

The Basildon Starbucks became more than just a place to visit for Neary. First employed at the store through a work placement program, he became a permanent part-time partner four years ago.

Located at the historic turn-of-the-century Palazzo Delle Poste building on Piazza Cordusio, this one-of-a-kind 25,500 square foot retail space will feature the company’s premium, small batch, Reserve coffees served in a variety of brewing methods.

 UK is first market in Europe to launch Nitro Cold Brew at the Starbucks Reserve Bar in London’s Covent Garden. The arrival of Nitro Cold Brew marks Starbucks next chapter of cold coffee innovation in Europe, by offering customers a wider choice. 

As a gesture of respect and gratitude, as Starbucks signals its intent to open in Italy, we have sponsored a three-year garden project in the historic Piazza del Duomo in Milan.

The opening of the first store with a Reserve coffee bar experience, in the heart of Kuwait’s dynamic business district, represents Starbucks uncompromising pursuit of elevating the coffee experience for its customers. 

 An initial 20 stores in Central and West London will offer the paper cup bin encouraging ‘from-street-to-in-store’ disposal to ensure more paper cups are recycled. 

“Think about the skills that people have, not that they’re Deaf,” said Haytam Lakb, Starbucks barista. “Think about the personality, skills and experience.”

With more than 25,000 stores, Starbucks is in 75 countries around the globe. Here are some of Starbucks top stories of 2016.

Charities in Great Britain, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland and Austria receive Starbucks donations and community recognition.

Coffee is a passion that brought 26 partners (employees) together for the 2016 Barista Championship in London to compete for the top prize.

The first Starbucks express store in Europe in London’s major business hub, Canary Wharf, allows customers to order, pay and pick-up their orders faster.

Starbucks stores in Europe, the Middle East and Africa purchase aprons sewn by women of the Ineza Cooperative to provide funds and exposure to survivors of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

The Aupark Shopping Centre in Bratislava is now home to the first Starbucks in the Central European country of Slovakia. Starbucks partnered with AmRest to open the store.

“Life has been incredibly difficult for the people of Eastern Congo, but even in the hardest circumstances, you see their grit and determination," said Dave Olsen.

Marta Swiac is one of the first applicants to benefit from a programme Starbucks UK announced in September 2015.

“This store will not only offer amazing coffee and world-class customer service, it is a representation of our commitment to South Africa through its localized design." 

Colorful, springtime designs with birds, butterflies and flowers are featured on Starbucks iconic cups in the company's Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Meet the partners (employees) who designed them.

“It’s truly an honor to be recognized in this way,” said Jaz Rabadia, senior manager of Energy and Initiatives for Starbucks UK. 

“Customers who visit my store are curious about the different coffees that Starbucks offers,” said Becca Turner. “It was fun to create artwork to help tell the coffee story.”

Starbucks, along with its regional partner Taste Holdings, prepare dozens of young South Africans for employment through an innovative training program.

With millions of refugees fleeing conflicts in Syria and seeking safety across Central and Western Europe, Starbucks is using the scale of its digital platforms to raise funds for crisis relief organizations.

"Everything that we’ve done sits on the foundation of those wonderful experiences that many of us have had in Italy, and we’ve aspired to be a respectful steward of that legacy for 45 years,” said Howard Schultz.

Aaron Swift returned from an emotional four-day journey in Rwanda with one goal in mind: “I wanted to find a way to help Rwandan farmers and educate my peers at the same time."