Starbucks China announced that starting Thursday, its 8,000 stores nationwide will fully implement a "no purchase, no seating" policy, requiring customers to buy an item to be seated in the store. The company stated that this move aims to enhance the customer's "in-store experience" and address fierce competition from local rivals such as Luckin Coffee. Previously, reports of the policy and videos of "purchase for seating" signs posted in stores had circulated on Chinese social media. Starbucks stated last year that it would sell a 60% stake in its China business to investment firm Boyu Capital for $4 billion.