Starbucks Korea reclaims coffee market lead after 5-month slump
Starbucks Korea reclaimed its lead among coffee chains in September, five months after a marketing controversy sparked consumer backlash. According to data from market tracker IGAWorks on Sunday, the coffee chain recorded 121.08 billion won ($90.1 million) in estimated credit and debit card spending last month, up 4.3 percent from August, overtaking rival Twosome Place to reclaim the top spot. Starbucks trailed its rival for four consecutive months as its estimated card spending dropped by 13.13 billion won to 121.19 billion won from April to May, before bottoming out at 100.39 billion won in June. The coffee chain's estimated card spending then rose for three consecutive months, reaching 110.06 billion won in July, 116.12 billion won in August and climbing back above 120 billion won in September for the first time since the downturn. Twosome's estimated card spending fell 6.4 percent from August to 110.5 billion won in September, about 10.58 billion won below Starbucks. The recovery follows nationwide backlash over a Starbucks promotion that dubbed May 18, the anniversary of the 1980 Gwa
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Fast food fulfills dreams in aging society
One thing Shin Jeong-ok, a team leader at a McDonald’s restaurant in Seoul’s Seongbuk District, enjoys about her job is being looked up to by friends and acquaintances in their 60s and older. In Korea, where the population is rapidly aging, seniors face increasingly fierce competition for employment as they outnumber younger job seekers. As of this year, more than 11 million people in Korea, or 21.6 percent of the population, are aged 60 or older. Many are baby boomers born between 1955 and 1963, a generation larger than those that came before them. Now entering retirement, they are increasingly seeking jobs, but age-related health issues and physical limitations restrict their employment options. Fortunately for Shin, her current job title is a hard-earned position she began in her early 50s. Now, the 63-year-old says she cannot imagine a life without working five times a week at McDonald’s Jongam SK branch in northern Seoul. “When I tell my neighbors or friends that I work at McDonald’s, I see the envy in their eyes. Being able to say that I have a job and seeing their admira
Why are we playing games that make us work?
MANILA, Philippines — Games are turning chores and repetitive tasks into something players willingly return to, offering the satisfaction of cleaning a surface, stocking shelves or completing a routine without the pressure that comes with doing the same work in real life. Ask people how they like to spend a free evening, and few will
Kalshi investigating suspicious bets tied to White house press secretary pick: Report
Prediction market Kalshi has opened an investigation into suspicious bets related to President Trump’s selection of his next press secretary, The Wall Street Journal reported. The company said that it was looking into at least three trades placed on its platform shortly before news outlets began announcing the appointment of Katie Zacharia to the White...
Acer Predator League 2027 PH Qualifier announces P1M prize pool
MANILA, Philippines – The road to the Asia Pacific Predator League 2027 has begun! Acer has announced the Predator League 2027 Philippine Qualifier, giving esports teams the chance to compete, prove their skills, and push beyond their limits. With a total prize pool of Php 1 million, the qualifiers will feature tactical FPS VALORANT and
Half the market will not take your money: The access problem for regulated startups
Across 231 Canadian publishers, the outlets that accept restricted categories charge less than half as much for ordinary articles. That discount measures who has already left the room, and founders in crypto, lending and gaming are shopping in that half without knowing it. The cheapest quote in a media plan is usually the one worth […] The post Half the market will not take your money: The access problem for regulated startups appeared first on e27.
The F1 Exhibition opens in Singapore with F1 cars, racing sims and an SG-centred gallery
The F1 exhibition will run until 18 October.
Kurt Campbell on US’ China focus, the Indo-Pacific Quad, risks of AI
Kurt Campbell is a veteran US diplomat and strategist who has played a leading role in shaping Washington’s approach to China and the Indo-Pacific for more than a decade. He served as the White House coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs from 2021 to 2024 and as US deputy secretary of state from 2024 to 2025. Previously, he served as assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs from 2009 to 2013 and was a key architect of the Obama administration’s “pivot to Asia”. Often...
Toyota boosts its electric lineup with the Cat A Urban Cruiser
The new Urban Cruiser is smaller, not just in size, but also in price.
Southwest Airlines says 'brief' system outage affected boarding, checked bags
Southwest confirmed the news shortly after travelers began to report delays on Friday morning.
White House on Trump purchasing SpaceX debt before space order: 'No conflicts of interest'
The White House said Friday there was no conflict of interest when President Trump's accounts bought more than $1 million in SpaceX debt two days before he signed an executive order on space transportation policy. The president's financial disclosure for August, published Thursday, shows Trump's accounts purchased between $1 million and $5 million in senior...
Flock offers voluntary separation packages to staff amid camera backlash
The automated license plate reader (ALPR) firm Flock Safety has offered employees voluntary separation packages ahead of its "next phase of growth," as the firm faces mounting scrutiny from communities and policymakers across the country. "Flock recently offered current employees a generous Voluntary Separation Program as part of our efforts to position the company for...
AI boom pushes chipmakers to expand across Asia Pacific, FedEx report finds
The artificial intelligence boom is no longer just a story about software models, cloud platforms, or the companies racing to build the next large language model. It is increasingly a story about where chips are made, how far they travel, and whether the supply chains behind them can withstand the next geopolitical shock. A new […] The post AI boom pushes chipmakers to expand across Asia Pacific, FedEx report finds appeared first on e27.
