MUMBAI (Diya TV) — In a strategic move to fortify its presence in the thriving Indian market, Starbucks, in partnership with Tata Consumer Products, is set to expand its footprint by opening 1,000 stores across India by 2028. As part of its Triple Shot Reinvention Strategy, the coffee giant aims to launch a new Starbucks store in the country every three days. This bold endeavor is fueled by the surging demand for coffee in India, now considered one of Starbucks’ fastest-growing markets globally.
Since inaugurating its first café in India in October 2012, Tata Starbucks has seen its store count surge to 390. The plan is to double this number in the coming years, with a focused expansion into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The company also aims to enhance its service offerings by increasing drive-through, airport-based, and 24-hour cafes. To support this ambitious growth, Tata Starbucks plans to double its workforce, from the current 4,300 employees to approximately 8,600.
Starbucks recognizes the strategic importance of India, projecting it to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030. The expansion plan aligns with Starbucks’ global objective of reaching 55,000 locations worldwide over the next seven years. The company’s CEO, Laxman Narasimhan, stated, “With our trusted business partner, Tata, and our green apron partners, we are well positioned to capture the limitless opportunities as we open one store every three days in India and further our aspiration to become truly global.”
The expansion strategy includes a focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where Starbucks sees untapped potential for growth. The move responds to the evolving coffee culture in India, where the demand for premium coffee experiences is on the rise. Starbucks plans to cater to this demand by opening its second Reserve location in the country, offering a premium, experiential store format.
As Starbucks gears up for this significant expansion, it emphasizes promoting Indian-origin coffee. The Starbucks Reserve whole bean coffee “Monsooned Malabar” from India is set to launch in both Indian and U.S. Starbucks Reserve stores later this year.
Sushant Dash, CEO of Tata Starbucks, expressed enthusiasm for the next phase of growth, stating, “Thanks to the strong foundation we have built in India, we are entering our next chapter of growth, driven by our unwavering commitment to create a uniquely Starbucks Experience.”
