STARBUCKS COMES TO INDIA

[Pakistanisage]

Starbucks Comes to India - NYTimes.com



Starbucks Coffee, the world’s largest coffee company, became the first foreign retailer to enter India Monday, after the government loosened rules about how single brand companies can invest here.

Starbucks plans to bring the “Starbucks Experience to customers in India by offering high quality arabica coffee, handcrafted beverages, locally relevant food, and legendary service,” John Culver, president of Starbucks in China and Asia Pacific, said in a press release.

Starbucks is partnering with Tata Global Beverages, part of the Tata Group, in a 50-50 joint venture.

 

[RISING SUN]

Starbucks stores in India to have distinct ethnic imprint
New Delhi, Feb 5: Starbucks stores in India will have a distinct Indian imprint in its ambience, décor and offerings, a top company official has said.

The US-based coffee major also plans to invest in roasting of coffee beans in the country with its joint venture partner Tata Group.

John Culver, President, Starbucks Coffee China & Asia Pacific, met the Commerce and Industry Minister, Anand Sharma, on Tuesday to discuss the company’s expansion plans in India. Avani Saglani Davda, CEO of Tata Starbucks Ltd, also attended the meeting.

“Starbucks will not only design its stores with a distinct Indian flavour, it also seems that its product range would be developed with Indian tastes in mind,” a Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion official told Business Line.

Starbucks entered India with its joint venture partner Tata last October by opening four outlets in Mumbai. It expanded to Delhi early this year by opening two outlets at the international airport.

Culver told Sharma that TSL is committed to high-quality coffee sourcing and long-standing sourcing relationship with India, according to an official release. He also explained their plans and initiatives as part of the coffee sourcing and roasting agreement with Tata Coffee.

Starbucks President said that his company was working with the coffee growing communities of India with a specific focus on agronomy and sustainable farming practices, along with its community investment initiatives and employment generation activities.

Starbucks also plans to involve local craftsmen in designing the outlets in India.

The minister said that it is a matter of happiness that a global investor is sensitive towards the needs of the local growers and recognises local talent. “India provides a robust investment environment which is being recognised by the global investors,” Sharma said.
Business Line : Industry & Economy / Marketing : Starbucks stores in India to have distinct ethnic imprint

@Webby sir please move this thread to Central & South Asia section. Thanks.

 

[RISING SUN]

Success overseas doesn’t mean success in India: John Culver, Starbucks

John Culver, the man steering Starbucks in India and the rest of Asia, believes that the world's largest cafe chain needs to earn its place in the Indian market not by its reputation but through quality, consistency and experience. And the Starbucks Coffee China and Asia president is confident that India will become one of its top five markets. In India on a weeklong trip, Culver on Wednesday launched Starbucks' seventh India store in Delhi through its equal joint venture with Tata Global BeveragesBSE 0.70 %. Starbucks will operate in multiple formats in India, he told ET in an interview. Excerpts:



Your CFO Troy Alstead was quoted as saying he was 'blown away' by the response Starbucks has got so far in India. Could you elaborate?

We are excited about today. In our six other stores, the Indian consumer has embraced the Starbucks experience, but success in oversees markets does not mean success will automatically come in India. We have to earn our interest here. Customers don't want to do business with companies that don't give back to the communities they are serving.

Are you a late entrant in India?

We are not at all late. There's an emerging middle class, rising disposable income and a nascent cafe culture that is developing 20% every year...so we believe the time is just right. But we have to do business the right way. We have to provide a great experience to our customers, in quality of coffee and consistency of beverage.

An allegation against Starbucks is that it is forcing mall developers to reshuffle existing tenants for prime locations. Your comments...

We are working with mall and real estate developers. We are obviously looking at good locations, and there's plenty of room for competition. Many coffee chains in India are struggling because they also sell food, which is not their core strength, and they don't have a grip on sourcing and pricing.

How will you overcome this problem?

We will source from Taj Sats (the catering business of the Tata Group) from where we will source all food products for Starbucks. I was at their facility two days ago and it is the highest quality freshest food served I've seen in the market.

What surprises you about the Indian consumer?

The strong pent-up demand for Starbucks coffee in India surprises me. The surprise is that consumers from all walks of life have been visiting our store — young, old, couples, families, singles. The coffee we serve here is the same as that in the US.
Success overseas doesn’t mean success in India: John Culver, Starbucks - The Economic Times

 

[agamdilawari]

Starbucks Delhi

 

[Cherokee]

I would Prefer CCD any day . Too many memories

 

[Backbencher]

I would Prefer CCD any day . Too many memories

Yukks & Suckss..........Starbucks will be a much better sucess than CCD .

Starbucks Delhi

They printed the map of India in the left corner

 

[KRAIT]

Good to know about JV with TATA.

 

[agamdilawari]

They printed the map of India in the left corner

They have even included Murg Tikka Pannini & Murg Seekh in Rumali Roti as well in their menu . All what they have done is(and rightly so) is that they have Indianized Starbucks in India right from interiors in their outlets to the menu being served.

 

[--,-'{@]

Good to know about JV with TATA.

now we will get TOT as well

but nothing beats its Chinese counterpart which gives u **** queen along with a cup of coffee.