In the South Korean city of Paju, there was a mass virus infection of clients of one of the country’s coffee shops.
In the South Korean city of Paju, located near Seoul, there was a massive virus infection of clients of one of the coffee houses of international chain Starbucks. According to Fortune, on August 8, the restaurant was visited by a woman who was a carrier for COVID-2019.
After information about her visit to the coffee house was made available, 27 cases of infection were confirmed among the guests who visited Starbucks that day. Only four masked employees of the coffee shop were able to avoid the virus spreading.
The outbreak showed how quickly the virus could spread indoors and how the transmission could be minimized. While health authorities around the world are still discussing the efficacy of wearing masks, this case adds to the argument for their mandatory use, the South Korean doctors note.
In their opinion, although face masks may not provide 100% protection, there is nothing so useful in the fight against the spread of the virus today. In some countries, including the U.S., information about the ineffectiveness of personal protective equipment has recently spread. Consumers are protesting against a rule that forces them to use face masks when visiting restaurants and stores.
European retail is scaling AI, agentic commerce and retail media, but consumer trust is becoming the constraint. Four structural shifts…
Mall operators are no longer leasing space for pop-ups. They are selling audience access.
Physical stores still drive most retail sales, fulfill online orders, support AI shopping, and help brands return to market.
A practical guide to nine mall tenant formats in 2026, from flagships and pop-ups to anchor redevelopment and mixed-use retail.
1,051 of 1,173 US malls hold zero ultra-luxury brands. Half of all Cartier, Chanel, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton mall stores…
Every physical expansion decision starts with the same question: where does the store go?
Verified signals on brand expansion, store openings, and mall development. Free.
Free · No credit card · Unsubscribe any time