Tata Starbucks opens first store in Delhi

Tata Starbucks, a 50:50 joint venture between Starbucks Corporation and Tata Global Beverages , launched its first store in Delhi on Wednesday. "I must say that the team here has done an incredible job. It is a proud moment for us and for New Delhi," said Cyrus Mistry, chairman of Tata Group, at the inauguration of the outlet at Connaught Place.

Starbucks, the world's biggest coffee chain, entered the country by opening an outlet in Mumbai last October.

John Culver, president (China and Asia-Pacific), Starbucks, said, "We are committed to the Indian market for long term and will aggressively grow our business, expand stores and provide locally relevant innovation."

Like other western fast food and coffee chains that have come to India, Starbucks said that it will offer its clients an 'Indianised' version of its food and beverages to appeal to local palates. According to Starbucks, its outlets in India are special because coffee is brewed and roasted locally instead of being imported. This way coffee lovers can savour the taste of homegrown Arabica coffee beans.

The store will be open from 10 am to 10 pm seven days a week, and will offer customers free Wi-Fi. The Starbucks management has described sales in recently opened Mumbai store as "stupendous".

According to the management, Bangalore and Pune will be the next destinations for store launches. Last year, Culver along with Tata Global Beverages vice-chairman R.K. Krishna Kumar announced plans to open 50 cafes in the country with an investment of Rs 400 crore. "... We are looking at opening 50 stores this year (2012), Krishnakumar had said.

Asked whether this target is still being considered, Culver said, "From the Starbucks perspective, we are a publicly traded company. We do not release these figures publicly."

Courtesy: Mail Today