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You have been planning to enter the India market for long. What took you this long?
It was all about finding the right business partner. With Tata Global Beverages, we knew we shared similar values and that we would form a strong partnership.
Apart from partnership, was there any other issue Starbucks was trying to sort out?
Slowdown came in the way, and we made a decision to pull back our India entry strategy. Once the economy recovered, we decided to come in.
Did Starbucks also lobby in the US to enter India?
No, not at all, we did not have to do that. There’s a strong demand for Starbucks in India.
In many other parts of the world, Starbucks is on its own. Didn’t you ever think of coming to India without a local partner?
No, we didn’t. Tatas understand India, and know how to cope with infrastructure issues, etc.
Which are the top-five countries in revenue terms?
These are the US, Canada, Japan, China and the UK.
So,which one do you expect India to replace?
(Laughs) I see India in the top five.
Is there anything specific you are looking for from the government to make it easier for you in India?
Investment in infrastructure is critical. The government is continuously making investments there.
Are the new food safety laws in India making things difficult?
At Starbucks, we are conscious about food safety.
What kind of investments are you planning in India?
It’s a long-term partnership we have with Tata Global Beverages. We have the ability to invest where we want.
How will India compare with the China market? How many stores are there in China?
Over 700 Starbucks stores have come up in China in 14 years. By 2015, it is expected to have 1,500. In India, we are committed to grow aggressively but can’t give a number.
While the Tata Starbucks offering — beverages, food and decor — is Indianised, will you give us a more global feel?
Over a period of time, we will offer a global representation of the brand, while embracing the local artisanship.
Will Starbucks also source global coffee for the beverages to be served in the India outlets?
Yes, over time, we will give to consumers what they want.
From your experience in Mumbai, where you started in October, do Indians buy more food than in other geographies, when it comes to food-beverage mix?
We do sell some more food in the India market compared with other geographies.
