Starbucks to open 100 new coffee shops in its largest market in Europe

The chain of coffee shops starbucks announced this Monday that it will open one hundred new stores in the United Kingdom in 2023 and will invest some 30 million pounds (33.8 million euros) in improving existing ones in this country.

The announcement comes after what is considered the world’s largest coffee shop chain announced an increase in its sales in the United Kingdom in 2022, as it continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic.

The chain has 1,066 stores throughout the United Kingdom, of which approximately 70% are franchises.

Its expansion in this country continues despite high British inflation -10.1%-, which has boosted the cost of the ingredients used by the firm and has lowered benefits.

Duncan MoirStarbucks president for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, said the chain also plans to open 300 new stores in the rest of Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

However, the group’s communications department told EFE that “as for the new cafeterias“do not have”a list with specific openings” in those areas.

The manager said that they continue to be “cautious” on the economic environment and that “like many other businesses”, Starbucks has faced “challenges that include a shortage of freight truck drivers, raising supply costs and delays in shipments”.

starbucks It has indicated that the habits of its consumers have changed since the pandemic and, as a result, the firm will look to increase its number of cafeterias that serve drivers in their vehicles and will invest in digital functions in its stores.

The chain has also observed that as there are still many people who continue to work from home, activity in city centers and train stations has recovered more slowly, although London is the exception.

The UK is the sixth largest global market for starbucks with just over 1,000 stores. The United States, with almost 15,000 stores, leads the list, followed by China, Canada, Japan and South Korea.

Source: EFE