After I had mentioned on my blog earlier about Starbucks coming to India, yesterday it was announced that the iconic coffee chain will be opening 50 retail outlets by the end of this year. If memory serves me right, its been more than 6 years since Starbucks started thinking of putting up their chain in India. Nonetheless, its time has come. I am more than eager to see what they have to offer. The partners this time they have are already experienced in the coffee joint business in India, the Tatas (Barista).
Tata Starbucks Ltd., a joint venture (50:50) between Tata Global Beverages Ltd. and Starbucks, will own and operate the coffee chain and would be branded as Starbucks Coffee -A Tata Alliance. Starbucks is a global leader in coffee chain business, with close to 17,000 outlets. I am not still sure about the business model that will be followed, but this influx will certainly pump up competition for enterprenurs for a franchisee of Starbucks in India. Tata will also be selling its brand of coffee named ‘Tata Tazo’ as retail via these outlets.
What needs to be seen is how this changes things for the current market leader, Cafe Coffee Day, the branded coffee chain of Amalgamated Coffee Bean Company. Its also been romured that US based coffee chain, Dunkin Donuts is coming to Indian shores as well.
Tatas are well set to bring a fresh change for Tata Global Bevergaes. Go go go…