Starbucks in Korea asks customers to stop bringing in printers/desktop computers
12 days ago
- #Starbucks
- #Remote Work
- #South Korea
- Starbucks South Korea has banned patrons from bringing bulky items like desktop computers and printers to maintain a pleasant store experience.
- The phenomenon, known as 'cagongjok,' involves people using cafés as makeshift offices due to scarce and expensive office space in South Korea.
- Starbucks Korea, majority-owned by E-Mart Inc., aims to remain a 'welcoming third space' despite the policy change.
- The rise of remote work and temporary jobs post-1997 financial crisis has fueled the cagongjok trend.
- Café owners criticize cagongjok as 'electricity thieves' for occupying seats for hours with minimal purchases.
- Seoul's office vacancy rate is low (2.6%), and rents are rising, pushing workers to cafés.
- Experts predict cafés may eventually rebalance toward leisure as remote work culture evolves.