Starbucks MY opens new store featuring sign language as mode of communication

Starbucks Malaysia has launched a new outlet, which, uniquely, features only sign language as a means of communication. 

The store aims to offer employment and development opportunities to the deaf community as well as to build more meaningful connections between partners and customers, according to Bernama. This is also the coffee chain’s third ‘signing store’ across Malaysia.

The managing director of Berjaya Starbucks Coffee, Sydney Quays reportedly said that the company aims to expand the initiative in every state. She said so at a press conference officiated by Sarawak’s Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister, Fatimah Abdullah.

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Quays added that the initiative not only aims to provide employment to the deaf community but that it also aims to spread public awareness and build confidence among them as they could be shy to step forward due to their disability.

Additionally, Starbucks Malaysia will be extending its efforts by collaborating with Sarawak Society for the Deaf to provide professional Malaysian sign language interpretation services and to host activities at the store.

A+M has reached out for more information. 

Earlier this year in May, Starbucks Malaysia adopted a giraffe named Mas Boy as part of its Happy Giraffe & Friends Collection release, in a bid to support its conservation efforts.

As an extension of its Positive Planet initiative, Starbucks Malaysia, in collaboration with Zoo Negara Malaysia are doing their part for animal conservation by adopting a giraffe named Mas Boy through Zoo Negara's Wildlife Sponsorship programme. 

As part of its campaign, Starbucks will be donating RM2 to Zoo Negara for every purchase of the new collection, to support the care of Mas Boy as well as the zoo’s conservation efforts, so that consumers can take part in the adoption as well. The sponsorship from Starbucks Malaysia will help to cover all the costs of food supply, veterinary care and Mas Boy's maintenance over the course of a year.

To further amplify the campaign, Starbucks invited celebrities to visit the zoo and pose with Mas Boy, including singer Yazmin Aziz, basketball player Austin Veloso, singer Mia Lateefa, and former Miss Universe Malaysia star Shweta Sekhon. 

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