Another multinational is treading its way into the Indian market. And this time it’s the global coffee company and coffeehouse chain Starbucks. Partnering with Tata Global Beverages Ltd, their first outlet will be situated in the heart of Mumbai.
The famous Starbucks now in India as TATA Starbucks Ltd.
R. K. Krishnakumar vice chairman of Tata Global Beverages and John Culver president of Starbucks China and Asia-Pacific.
“We have worked very hard in creating this partnership with the Tata’s and will leverage the credibility and trust of the Tatas with our global brand.” stated Mr. John Culver, President, Starbucks China and Asia-Pacific. It is definitely a very good business move by the two companies, using each others goodwill and strengths in terms of experience and money. India is now open for newer brands launching themselves more than ever before. With the youth and working population, showing great interest in experimenting, the timing could not have been better. Coffee houses have already gained popularity through out the country, with coffee chains such as café coffee day, Barista etc.
Starbucks, Tata Venture to Open Store in India, Jan. 31:
One would think they’d consider Delhi first for launching the Tata Starbucks coffee chains, but it’s not something that’s not on the radar; Avani Saglani Davda, the new CEO of Tata Starbucks, said: “A lot of Tata companies own real estate and we will leverage that in terms of getting sites that are iconic and at the heart of the city in the commercial capital of Mumbai and Delhi.’’ Tata Starbucks is scheduled to make its debut in Delhi in 2013.
Horniman Circle, Mumbai is going to be hosting the Tata Starbucks flagship coffee house. And there will be an exclusive dish catering to the tastes of the city. Tata group will be responsible for sourcing and roasting premium coffee beans for the coffee chain. They will also with their vast properties and connections be opening stores all across the country, bringing Tata Starbucks close to coffee lovers all over India.
Starbucks to Open 50 Shops in India:
By the end of October 2012, Tata Starbucks will have debuted in Mumbai. Starbucks currently has over 19,000 coffee houses in the world, in over 60 countries. It only makes sense to get the multi billion dollar franchise to India, where the economy is great for starting up a new venture. This venture between Tata and Starbucks is of a 50/50 ratio.
John Culver; has expressed Starbucks’ enthusiasm for now being able to cater to the Indian market “We are delighted to be able to announce our progress toward opening our first store in India and to introduce locally sourced espresso,”
Starbucks coffee has a great fan following all over the world; it’s a coffee brand that is known to all. The Indian market will presumably be welcoming it with warmth and a lot of cash. Only time will tell if the Metro cities will value the quality of coffee provided by the coffee shop, we Indians tend to be picky, and coffee being almost a necessity in the urban work life, should not only be affordable but available easily. Only time will tell if this joint venture of Tata Starbucks is going to be a hit.
Loose-leaf tea retailer Teavana is facing backlash as it prepares to be acquired by Starbucks Corp. Analysts say Starbucks could do better, and short-sellers are speculating that the deal would fall through. Annie Gasparro reports on Markets Hub. Photo: Reuters.
