500th Store milestone includes a total of 800 stores across Greater China in 42 cities and company plans to reach 1,500 stores in Mainland China by 2015.

The Starbucks China 500th store is located at the international departure hall of the Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal.

It is also Starbucks 7th store in China's largest and busiest airport. As part of the celebration, Starbucks customers in Beijing were treated to a ‘coffee break' in appreciation for their loyalty to the Starbucks brand and the company's continued commitment to growth in China.
            
Belinda Wong (below right), president Starbucks China, serves coffee to Starbucks Beijing customers as part of the celebration for its 500th store in China. (Photo: Business Wire)

"The opening of our 500th store in China is a significant milestone in our ambitious growth plans to serve our customers through 1,500 stores by 2015," said Wong. "We firmly believe that each Starbucks store is unique to our partners, customers and the community. Delivering the Starbucks Experience in ways that exceed customers' expectations in every one of our locations is critical to our continued success."

Over the past year, Starbucks has successfully entered more than 10 new markets in China, serving millions of new customers monthly. The stores in these new markets have been well-accepted by the local customers and community.

"As we continue to accelerate our growth momentum in 2012, we also recognize that the best success is shared success. Our partners are at the heart and soul of the Starbucks Experience we deliver to our customers every day," added Wong.

"The Starbucks brand continues to resonate with the Chinese consumer," stated John Culver, president, Starbucks China and Asia Pacific. "As we open more stores and reach more customers throughout China we will stay true to the foundation that has built our success, including providing the highest quality arabica coffee, handcrafted beverages, and an exceptional experience, one customer at a time."

Link store in Beijing's central business district with Starbucks customers and partners. This newly renovated store showcases Starbucks new store design concept in China, which aims to create an authentic, yet locally-relevant, Starbucks Experience. The store features the seamless fusion of Chinese and western design elements, integrating Starbucks coffee heritage and expertise with that of China's distinctive cultural heritage. This balance of Starbucks heritage and local relevance is paramount to Starbucks mission to further elevate Starbucks third place experience for its customers in China.

For the past 12 years, Starbucks has not only been a symbol of China's rapid urban development, but also for its customer: the authentic coffee culture, genuine moments of connection between its partners and customers, and unique Starbucks Experience have come to embody a new modern lifestyle pursuit and aspiration.Starbucks today operates more than 800 stores across Greater China, with 500 stores on the mainland, across 42 cities.