The move is part of a wider inclusivity initiative that Starbucks has undertaken to design easily navigable retail spaces for all of its customers. Any cafe that is renovated or opened in the future will begin implementing the company’s “Inclusive Spaces Framework,” it said in the release. The store design will also take acoustics into account by using materials that minimize background noise or echoes, which could disrupt people who use hearing aids. “The pandemic spurred a lot of retailers to think about more inclusive retail spaces,” said Maria Town, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities. The chain last unveiled a new store design in 2019 with much of the similar aesthetic approach left intact with the new look.

Source: CNN February 17, 2024 21:53 UTC