Fake Starbucks in Russia: Russian singer and entrepreneur Timati (center front), co-founder of the Russian Starbucks imitation brand "Stars Coffee," is ordering coffee at the Stars Coffee store that opened on November 16 (local time) on Novy Arbat Street in Moscow. Starbucks decided to withdraw from Russia last May. Photo by EPA Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] In Russia, a coffee chain called 'Stars Coffee' has emerged, imitating the world's largest coffee chain, Starbucks.
Stars Coffee took over the Starbucks stores that withdrew from Russia last May and opened in the same locations as the former Starbucks stores. They copied not only the brand name but also the famous Starbucks logo, which depicts the siren from Greek mythology.
According to the Associated Press, the flowing hair, star-shaped mark on the forehead, and the mysterious smile of the woman in the Stars Coffee logo closely resemble the woman in the Starbucks logo like twins. AP also added that Starbucks customers would find the menu registered on the Stars app familiar.
On the 18th (local time), many people gathered in front of the newly opened Stas Coffee store on Novy Arbat Street in Moscow. Photo by EPA Yonhap News
Stars Coffee was co-founded by Russian rapper Yunus Yusupov, known by the stage name Timati, and restaurateur Anton Pinsky.
At a press conference held one day before the official opening, Yusupov and Pinsky announced their plans to reopen all former Starbucks stores under a new identity and expand their business.
Starbucks entered Russia in 2007 and operated about 130 stores in Russia until earlier this year. However, after Russia invaded Ukraine, Starbucks suspended its business in Russia in early March and decided to withdraw from Russia in May.
Besides Starbucks, McDonald's, IKEA, and H&M also withdrew from Russia following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. McDonald's stores were acquired by Russian entrepreneurs and reopened as a fast-food chain named 'Vkusno & Tochka.'
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