- Starbucks is having a problem with South Korea’s ‘cagonjok’
- People are configuring desks, screens and even printers in public spaces
- The number of coffee shops in South Korea has doubled in a decade
According to reports, Starbucks stores in South Korea are presenting signs asking customers not to establish mobile offices in their stores in an offensive against mobile workers.
He Korean Herald Shared signs images shown in stores in the country warn customers that are considered how they use spaces in stores: “Personal desktop computers, printers, energy strips and screens cannot be used in the store.”
It is not uncommon to see people who work in Starbucks stores (and in any other cafeteria) worldwide, however, it is clearly becoming a particular problem in South Korea, where a tribe of coffee shops seems to have been formed.
Starbucks asks customers not to bring their work to the store
With the signs, Starbucks is pointing to a small group but president known as ‘Cagonjok’, a portmanteau of Korean words for ‘coffee’ and ‘study tribe’.
“In the tables that can be used by several people, it is considerable so that other customers can also use them,” says the sign (translated from Korean).
Cagerjok has been seen with complete desktop settings in stores, including separated desks, partitions and office pods.
“If you leave your seat for a long time, be sure to take your belongings to make sure you use the seats,” adds the sign.
Laptops and ordinary study remain allowed, but the company is addressing the most permanent use of its spaces to work.
He Korean Herald He points out that the number of coffee shops in the country has almost doubled since 2015, largely driven by a remote work trend, however, they suggest estimates of the Research Institute of the Korean Food Service Industry, the price of a coffee only covers one hour and 31 minutes of seat time before they do not become profitable.
