The Guardian · 2 Oct, 15:46 · Business briefing

‘Stand on the right side of history’: Starbucks urged to close stores in China’s Xinjiang

Starbucks faces mounting pressure from activists and shareholders to withdraw from China’s Xinjiang region amid allegations of forced labour.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Starbucks faces mounting pressure from activists and shareholders to withdraw from China’s Xinjiang region amid allegations of forced labour. Campaigners argue that operating there complicity in human rights abuses, urging the coffee giant to ‘stand on the right side of history’. The controversy highlights the complex intersection of global business operations, geopolitical tensions, and ethical supply chain management. This developing story underscores the significant reputational risks multinational corporations face when navigating regions with contested labour practices, potentially impacting investor confidence and brand loyalty across international markets.

Employer demand for Compliance And Governance skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

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What this means
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You must prioritise skills in ethical risk assessment and supply chain transparency. Professionals in compliance, human resources, and strategic communications should closely monitor how brands navigate geopolitical sensitivities. Develop expertise in stakeholder engagement and crisis management to protect organisational reputation. Smart professionals will audit their own organisations’ supply chains for human rights risks, ensuring alignment with international labour standards. Focus on building capabilities in sustainable business practices and corporate governance. This shift demands that you understand the legal and moral implications of operating in controversial regions. By mastering these areas, you position yourself as a leader who can guide companies through complex ethical dilemmas while maintaining operational integrity and public trust.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Compliance And Governance, Supply Chain, Crisis Management and Risk Management Strategies — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

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