The closure of your favourite hot spots that have stayed resilient through the test of time is a new norm as companies and land owners pave the way for new development or ventures into different business prospects. However, we’re looking at a new facet of why businesses are closing down rapidly this year.
Due to the pressures of the genocide in Palestine, the famous beverage company, Starbucks, has faced major backlash and boycott, which has resulted in the closure of several outlets, including Kuantan’s first Starbucks outlet with 21 years of history. Located at Berjaya Megamall, the notable decline in customers and revenue led to this historic outlet’s closure.
Opened in 2004, Starbucks Berjaya Megamall officially shut off its lights on Wednesday (30th April 2025). A reporter who visited the outlet before its closure reported that the store had neatly packed away its packaging items into multiple boxes, and we’re only serving iced Americanos and selected cold beverages on the day.
Employees told reporters that customers who knew of its imminent closure came to say goodbye, and we’re reluctant to leave. As of now, employees will be temporarily reassigned to the East Coast Mall branch, which leaves Kuantan with only 3 working Starbucks outlets to date.
With the pressures of boycotts on the rise with brands such as Starbucks and McDonald’s, Malaysian brands such as Zus Coffee have leveraged this window to expand their outreach, making them a go-to for all coffee lovers. What would happen if boycotted brands left the Malaysian market for good?
Source: China Press
Alyssa Gabrielle contributed to this article
