Starbucks opening its ‘signing store’

Starbucks Corp. is taking its store concept for the deaf and hard of hearing to Japan.

The coffee giant will open its first “Signing Store in Japan on June 27, expanding career opportunities for 19 new and existing deaf and hard of hearing Starbucks employees.  Located in Tokyo’s Kunitachi City, the 2,240-sq.-ft. space leverages technology and art to create an immersive experience in sign language and deaf culture. It will be Starbucks’ fifth signing store.

Customers have several options when ordering in the store, including contactless speech-to-text voice recognition through a tablet at the register, pointing to items on the menu, or writing on a notepad.

Chain Storeage