(Yicai Global) May 27 -- Starbucks will divide its China business into two separate business units named Starbucks Retail and Digital Innovation in order to sharpen its online strategy. 

Starbucks China will reshuffle its top management, and chief executive Belinda Wong will be promoted to chairman and CEO from June 1, the Chinese arm of the US coffee chain said in a statement today. 

Leo Tsoi, chief operating officer, will take up the role of retail president and Molly Liu, vice president of Digital Venture, will become the general manager of Digital Innovation. 

The Seattle-originated firm has had to accelerate its digital transformation to vie with home-grown rivals in China, the largest of which, Luckin Coffee, shines in its discount-heavy takeout approach.

Editor: Emmi Laine