Starbucks Korea led A Twosome Place in estimated credit and debit card payments in September 2026, according to figures attributed to IGAWorks Mobile Index. Starbucks’ estimate was KRW 121.08 billion, compared with KRW 110.5 billion for A Twosome Place—a gap of about KRW 10.6 billion. The figures are card-payment estimates, not audited total sales, and do not show whether customer trust has recovered.
September’s figures put Starbucks ahead
Maeil Business Newspaper reported on October 11, 2026 that Starbucks Korea’s estimated credit and debit card payments rose 4.3% from August to KRW 121.08 billion. A Twosome Place’s estimate declined 6.4% to KRW 110.5 billion. Starbucks therefore regained the lead after trailing for four months. Maeil Business Newspaper
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| South Korea chain | September 2026 estimated card payments | Change from August |
|---|---|---|
| Starbucks Korea | KRW 121.08 billion | Up 4.3% |
| A Twosome Place | KRW 110.5 billion | Down 6.4% |
The reported September gap was about KRW 10.6 billion. The reversal reflected both an increase in Starbucks’ estimate and a decrease in A Twosome Place’s; it was not solely a Starbucks gain.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteHow the reported trend developed
Starbucks’ estimate reached a low in June and then rose for three consecutive months. Seoul Economic Daily reported the following progression from IGAWorks Mobile Index: Seoul Economic Daily
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| Month | Estimated Starbucks Korea card payments |
|---|---|
| June 2026 | KRW 100.39 billion |
| July 2026 | KRW 110.06 billion |
| August 2026 | KRW 116.12 billion |
| September 2026 | KRW 121.08 billion |
Starbucks’ estimate had been higher earlier in the year: Yonhap reported KRW 121.2 billion for May, about 10% or KRW 13.1 billion below April’s KRW 134.3 billion. A Twosome Place led the reported comparison from May through August before the September change in rank. Yonhap News Agency Maeil Business Newspaper
What the card-payment estimates do—and do not—measure
The reported indicator is an estimate of credit and debit card payments. Starbucks prepaid-card recharges and mobile gift certificates are excluded, so the numbers do not capture every way customers pay. They cannot be treated as the chains’ total sales or as a complete measure of customer activity. Maeil Business Newspaper Seoul Economic Daily
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The cited reports attribute the figures to IGAWorks Mobile Index but do not provide the underlying dataset or estimation methodology. They should be read as reported estimates rather than independently audited sales totals.
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The October report describes criticism of Starbucks Korea after it used “Tank Day” for a tumbler discount event held on May 18, the anniversary of South Korea’s May 18 pro-democracy movement. The company halted some summer product launches and promotional events; new menus and customer-benefit events resumed from July, according to the report. Maeil Business Newspaper
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- A Starbucks Card is Always Welcome
- Starbucks Cards redeemable at most SB locations
- It’s a great way to treat a friend. It’s a convenient way to pre-pay for your own regular purchases.
- Amazon.com Gift Cards cannot be used as a method of payment for this item.
- Physical gift cards are delivered active via mail.
The rise in estimated card payments followed that period, but the reported figures do not establish that the controversy caused the earlier decline, that promotions caused the rebound, or that customer trust has returned. A payment ranking answers a narrower question: which chain had the larger estimated credit and debit card-payment volume in the stated month.
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