Starbucks plans to open more than 100 new coffee shops in UK

March 6, 2023

Starbucks plans to open more than 100 new coffee shops in UK with emphasis on drive-through sites and key city locations

Starbucks aims to invest £30million in UK operation through the store openings
Investment comes after fears Starbucks were selling UK business last year

Starbucks has announced plans to open more than 100 new coffee shops in the UK over the next year following a jump in sales, with an emphasis on drive-through sites and key city locations.

The US coffee chain is aiming to invest £30million in its UK operation through opening the additional stores, as well as a raft of refurbishments on its existing sites.

The sudden investment into Britain comes despite fears last year that the cafe giant were considering selling their UK business – which comprises of a total of 1,066 cafes.

Along with emphasising drive-through sites and cafes in locations within key cities, Starbucks is also aiming to renovate 30 company-operated stores over the course of the next 12 months.

Starbucks has been ‘very encouraged by the performance’ of its licensed and franchise stores and the cafe giant is optimistic that more will open over the current financial year as part of its growth strategy.

Starbucks has announced plans to open more than 100 new coffee shops in the UK over the next year following a jump in sales

It opened 30 company-operated stores over the year to October and closed nine sites. Starbucks said it also increased its number of licensed and franchisee stores by 45.

The growth plans came as Starbucks revealed that UK revenues surged by 37 per cent to £449.3 million for the year as it continued its recovery from the pandemic.

The business saw operating profits slip to £12.6million from £16.5million in the previous year, following inflationary pressure and investment in staff pay.

Starbucks announced that it lost £41m in the UK alone in a year as a result of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, in March 2022, the company took the decision to suspend all business activity in Russia as a result of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, closing all of their 126 stores.

Duncan Moir, president of Starbucks Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: ‘We have had a very strong year of revenue growth in the UK and EMEA and I’m pleased to report that we have exceeded our pre-pandemic revenue levels.

‘This is all thanks to the hard work of our fantastic team of partners who are dedicated to delivering a positive experience for every customer.

‘Innovation remains key to Starbucks ability to meet our customers’ changing needs and we’re investing in our digital channels and developing new store formats such as digitally-forward smaller stores and Drive Thrus.’