Part 8/11:
Perhaps most visibly, Starbucks is refurbishing its stores with warmer lighting, softer seating, and layouts designed to invite guests to stay longer. This is a significant shift from the minimalist, pick-up-oriented spaces of recent years. For example, a Downtown San Francisco Starbucks now incorporates cozy seating, local art, and open layouts, contrasting sharply with its earlier, more utilitarian redesign.
However, not all locations can be renovated due to lease constraints or physical limitations, leading Starbucks to close some stores and consolidate its footprint using similar principles—like McDonald's or Apple have done—to ensure the physical environment aligns with its renewed focus on community.