Starbucks Korea payments drop 26% after controversial promotion sparks backlash - The Korea Times

Protesters hold signs reading "Starbucks OUT" at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Payments at Starbucks Korea plunged more than 26 percent in just one week, industry data showed Wednesday, after a controversial promotional event on the pro-democracy uprising in the southwestern city of Gwangju in 1980 sparked national backlash.

Operated by E-Mart, a subsidiary of Shinsegae, Starbucks Korea launched an online "Tank Day" promotion on the anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju uprising last week. The event was suspended within hours after drawing widespread public criticism.

Starbucks Korea's weekly payment volume totaled 23.69 billion won ($15.81 million) between May 18 and Sunday, according to MobileIndex, a data platform operated by industry tracker IGAWorks. The figure marked a decline of 26.3 percent, or 8.47 billion won, from 32.16 billion won recorded during the previous week.

The coffee company launched the discount event for "Tank" tumbler sets, along with a controversial phrase, "Put it on the table with a sound of 'Tak!'"