F&B

Indian coffee retailers brew global ambitions

Neeti Mehra - Mumbai

In a bid to conquer the lucrative yet highly competitive international retail coffee market, Café Coffee Day and Barista Coffee Company are brewing ambitious international expansion plans, while Mocha - Coffees and Conversations is planning its maiden international plunge, on the back of outlets designed with plush interiors and menus having an international appeal.

With a presence in Sri Lanka and Dubai, Barista is now targeting 20 new international outlets by this year-end, which includes Bangladesh, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait. Voicing the company's expansion plans, Partha Duttagupta, CEO, Barista Coffee Company, says "Barista has an advantage in the Middle-East with a presence of a sizeable Indian population, familiar with the product. Our approach will be to appoint a single franchiser in each country for both our brands Barista Espresso Bar and Barista Crème." The coffee major will consider foraying into South-East Asia within a year, followed by Europe. Close on its heels, Bangalore-based Café Coffee Day is poised to expand in German speaking and East European countries. Currently having one outlet in Vienna; and the second scheduled to open by August end this year. Naresh Malhotra, director, Café Coffee Day says "Our strategy is hinged on penetrating the European market, albeit a difficult one, which will be an incredible learning experience. This region witnesses a high density of coffee consumption. We have already located many sites, and in most instances real estate value is lesser than as compared to metro cities in India, plus realisations from international outlets are nearly six times greater than those of their Indian counterparts. We should be opening 20 outlets by this year end." While the group has dropped the redundant 'Café' from its name for the well-versed international segment, the cushy interiors and menu will also not be reminiscent of its Indian counterparts, he asserts. Not to be left behind, Riyaaz Amlani, CEO - Mocha Coffees and Conversations revealed that within six months the group would announce its international foray in Dubai, Sri Lanka and Singapore, through a joint venture route.

"We would offer our patrons a taste of exotica in the look and feel of the café under the brand 'Mocha Coffees and Conversations,' the equipment and regular coffee will be sourced from India. By the end of 2008, we will have 10 outlets in our international portfolio," he adds.