Company Capitalizes on International Growth Opportunities with its
First Store in Lisbon
Starbucks Coffee International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Starbucks
Coffee Company (Nasdaq:SBUX), and Grupo VIPS, a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Sigla S.A., a leading food service and retail operator in Spain,
through the joint-venture company, Starbucks Coffee Portugal, Lda, will
celebrate the opening of its first coffeehouse in Portugal on Tuesday,
September 30, 2008 at Alegro Mall in Alfragide.
“We are humbled and proud to introduce
Starbucks Coffee and the unique Starbucks Experience to customers
across the Iberian Peninsula with the opening of our first store in
Portugal, a country filled with tradition and a rich coffee culture,”
said Alvaro Salafranca, general director of Starbucks Coffee Spain and
Starbucks Coffee Portugal. “We are delighted
that we will become a part of this great tradition and a part of the
community.”
The Starbucks Experience is distinctive in that it provides
partners (employees) and customers with daily inspiration through human
connections, innovative products and services, and a comfortable
atmosphere.
“We are thrilled that we will be able to share
our passion for high-quality arabica coffee and the Starbucks
Experience with the people of Portugal,”
said Luis Mello, operation director of Starbucks Coffee Portugal. “Additionally,
we are excited to offer some traditional Portuguese favorite food items
in innovative ways that are complementary to our high-quality coffees.”
Inspired by the culinary heritage of Portugal, Starbucks has been
working closely with small specialty Portuguese food companies to
develop food items that use local ingredients and are exclusive to this
market. These traditional offerings include Pastel de Nata, a small
custard tart; and Pastel de Feijao, pastries made with almonds and sweet
beans.
“Being respectful of the surrounding
environment and relevant within the community where we do business is
important to us,” said Martin Coles,
president of Starbucks Coffee International. “It
is essential that we enter Portugal with a strong and trusted partner
that shares our values and passion for people, quality and service,
attributes that Grupo VIPS clearly has,”
continued Coles.
Extending successful partnerships into new territories is part of
Starbucks international growth strategy.
