Starbucks Starbucks, along with its partner Delek Group of Israel, closed all six of its locations in Israel, citing "on-going operational challenges" and a "difficult business environment." The Starbucks location in the former imperial palace in Beijing closed in July 2007. The coffee shop had been a source of ongoing controversy since its opening in 2000 with protesters objecting that the presence of the American chain in this location "was trampling on Chinese culture." In July 2008, the company announced it was closing 600 underperforming company-owned stores and cutting U.S. expansion plans amid growing economic uncertainty. On July 29, 2008, Starbucks
Chain Reaction 2008 sectors (government, business and community), many of whom were from outside of the UK. The program included: Chain Reaction, was officially announced by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown on 24 July 2008 at the UK Catalyst Awards, the awards ceremony to recognize everyday heroes who use technology to make a positive impact on the world around them.Gordon Brown said “In the year ahead we will see bold new international collaborations to promote social action [such as the] first chain reaction forum on social leadership, taking place in London in November”. Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, said in regards