Tata Starbucks Opens Coffee Shop in Mumbai
Tata Starbucks, a 50:50 joint venture between Starbucks Coffee Company (Nasdaq: SBUX) and Tata Global Beverages, today, Oct. 19, opened the doors to the first Starbucks store in India.
It is located at the historic Elphinstone Building, Horniman Circle, Mumbai and marks the beginning of the brand’s India journey.
Tata Starbucks will launch two more stores next week at Oberoi Mall and the Taj Mahal Palace Annexe in Mumbai, a big Indian city where Hindi film industry called Bollywood is based.
[ Also Read: Bollywood Beauty Genelia to Act for Naturals Salon ]“We are proud to enter the India market with Tata Global Beverages, a global company that shares many of the same values that Starbucks was founded on more than 40 years ago,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, president and ceo, Starbucks Coffee Company.
“This is a historic moment for Tata Global Beverages and Starbucks,” said R K Krishnakumar, vice chairman, Tata Global Beverages.
The two companies plan to offer Indian Espresso Roast, sourced locally through the coffee sourcing and roasting agreement with Tata Coffee. The Indian Espresso Roast will be a hallmark feature of all Starbucks stores in the market and aims to highlight the quality espresso available in India.
[ Also Read: 10 Simple Reasons I Love My Country India ]As part of the agreement, Starbucks and Tata Coffee Limited will work toward developing and improving the profile of Indian-grown arabica coffees around the world by elevating the stature of Indian coffee, as well as improving the quality of coffee through sustainable practices and advanced agronomy solutions.
The product portfolio includes Starbucks signature espresso-based beverages, as well as Starbucks VIA Ready Brew and Starbucks Reserves.
[ Also Read: Tata to Launch Starbucks Cafés in India ]The store will also offer Tata Tazo and Himalayan mineral water, and its broad food offering boasts a wide selection of 42 items; Western favorites, as well as locally relevant flavors reflected in such items as the Elaichi Mawa Croissant, Murg Tikka Panini, Tandoori Paneer Roll, and the signature Star Club.
Tata Global Beverages Limited and Starbucks Coffee Company had announced the strategic joint venture partnership – Tata Starbucks Limited, to open Starbucks stores in India in January 2012.
