Our day began today with a company visit to the first Starbucks ever built in Milan. However, since coffee in Italy is so highly valued in Italy this American brand has altered their business model to reach their more sensitive and traditional coffee market. This Starbucks does not sell all the sugary altered drinks like in America; they opt for a more classic, natural coffee taste which called for extreme innovation to make the Starbucks brand successful in Italy. It was nothing like I expected it to be since it functions as a roastery as well. Because of this aspect, Starbucks is vertically integrated since they are their own supplier and consumer. Parts of their coffee get sold in grocery stores, but the majority is distributed to other Starbucks locations around the world, and the remaining is kept to be brewed and sold in Milan. It was also interesting to see how Starbucks is joining the sustainability movement, which is so important in supply chains, with their retail collection made out of recycled materials. Overall, this Starbucks was one of a kind and a totally different experience than any Starbucks in the United States, since it was created around their unique audience.

After visiting Starbucks we got to have lunch in an amazing culturally alive restaurant called Piz. The hospitality, friendliness, and warmth in Italy is something I will always be surprised to experience. We then went to the incredible Armani museum in which we got to see so many beautiful outfits. This museum was an insight into the history of the designer brand clothing culture in Northern Italy. The Armani museum was so interesting to see because I was able to see how styles and trends had evolved over time and how those styles eventually carried over into the U.S. To top off the day we got the best chicken nuggets ever and of course some gelato. You know what they say… “A gelato a day keeps the doctor away”, or  something like that…