South Korean Starbucks are seeing an unprecedented run of customers seeking refunds due to a burgeoning boycott. This has been sparked by perceived unfair trade practices by the international coffeehouse chain. As the trend picks up steam, retail stores are overwhelmed with refund requests, leading to operational issues and significant economic impact on the company.

While Japan is known to have a strong culture of respect for brands and corporate identity, citizens are not unfamiliar with boycotts as a form of protest against questionable corporate actions. Japanese people value fair trade, and consumers can be quick to react against companies seen to be operating unethically or unfairly.

In countries like the US or EU, similar movements like the #DeleteUber campaign or the Chick-Fil-A boycott have been observed. Consumers voicing their dissatisfaction with corporate behavior through economic maneuvers such as boycotts is a universal phenomenon. It underscores the power of the consumer and the potential significant economical impact these protests can cause.