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University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh

A new vision in higher education

Academic Year 2015

A Report
On

Starbucks Corporation (Indian Coffee)

PREPARED FOR
Mohd. Mahbub Hussain
ULAB School of Business

PREPARED BY
Asif Mahmud Onik

ID : 141051002

Umma Tamanna Sharmin Haque Ummay Sanjida

Bithi Athter

Biswajit Saha

ID : 141051074

ID: 133051065

ID: 133051077

ID: 133051010

ID: 133051013

[April 2015]

: : Executive Summary
Starbucks Corporation, founded in 1971 is headquartered in Seattle, WA and now operates
21,000 retail stores in 66 countries. The backbone of Starbucks business is its company operated
retail stores. Starbucks coffee has followed different strategy in different country.
Our report presents a summary of the Starbucks Corporation branding value and what kind of
strategy use in coffee & beverage business for India (Tata Starbucks). The main purpose of this
report is to find out different entry modes and strategy used by the branded company like
Starbucks in an overseas market. Primarily internal and external factors were analyzed in order
to understand the factors which have an impact on Starbucks entry mode decision. After
analyzing online journals and resources data on line, it turned out that Starbucks prefer three
operational entry modes in overseas market: joint venture, licensing agreement, and companyowned operations/wholly owned subsidiary.
In our analysis result many opportunities exist for Starbucks in this industry. The premium
coffee market continues to grow, offering opportunities such as rural U.S. expansion and
continued international proliferation. The firm may also be able to create new distribution
channels for other products as it has done with music, DVDs, and books. Premium and
proprietary food offerings can be used to drive growth in order to compete with fast food
restaurants, and acquisitions and joint venture/licensing agreements provide additional
possibilities for brand leverage. The Starbucks brand is very strong, but more steps can be taken
to ensure that it becomes an enduring global brand.

: : Table of ContentsTopic

Page No

Executive Summary

iii

Chapter 1.1

Starbucks Corporation

1.2

American business shift to India

Chapter 2.1

Coffee Market in India

2.2

Starbuck Journey to Indian Market

2.3

Engaging as Join Venture in India

2.4

Starbucks challenges in India

2.4.1 Business Risk in India


Foreign Exchange Risk

Political and Legal Risk (situation)

2.4.2 Other Strategy Factor Facing to in Indian Market

Chapter 3.1

Emerging markets experience

Laws across borders

Cultural Factor

Socioeconomically Factors

Existing Competitors

Economic Factors

Pricing decisions

Bargaining Power of Buyers

Bargaining Power of Suppliers

FDI Mode of Starbucks in INDIA

3.1.1 Long term plan in India

Chapter 4.1

Global Standardization Strategy of Starbucks

4.2

Organizational Structure

4.3

Vertical differentiation (Decentralized)

Chapter 5.1

Conclusion

Reference List

1.1 Starbucks Corporation:


Starbucks is the worlds leading specialty coffee retailer, producing and selling a wide variety of
beverages, as well as pastries & confections coffee shop around the world. Starbucks story began
in 1971. Back then Starbucks were a roaster and retailer of whole bean and ground coffee, tea
and spices with a single store in Seattles Pike Place Market, Washington (USA).
Since the beginning, Starbucks has been a different kind of
company. Committed to serving the finest coffee, creating an
exceptional customer experience and try to being a great place
to work.
Today, Starbucks are privileged to connect with millions of
customers every day with exceptional products and more than
21,000 retail stores in 66 countries. Starbucks dream to inspire
and nurture the human spirit one person one cup and one neighborhood at a time.
1.2 American business shift to India:
India is a mixed economy country, where both public and private sector enterprises work
together to achieve economic development for the country. India has many large and dynamic
private sector companies which operate in all areas of economic activity like trade, commerce
and industry, without much interference from the government.
India and U.S. have developed strong business relations with each other over the years. U.S. is
the second largest source of FDI for India. It is also the second largest trade partner of the nation
after EU. Not only is that U.S. the largest services export destination for India as well. In fact,
American companies in India form the major part of the foreign companies operating in this
country. The biggest reason is the high potential of Indian market and economy.
2.1 Coffee Market in India:
India is the faster growing (Developing) country in the world. India accounts for approximately
4.5 percent of world coffee production and has coffee importing countries including Italy,
Germany, Russian, Slovenia, US, Japan, Netherlands and France. The coffee market itself in
India is rather fragmented with no evidence of market leaders. Meanwhile with increasing
competition amongst different multi-national brands, companies are coming up with added
facilities. Coffee shops tend to focus on quality service, providing a cool and soothing ambience.
Currently, Indian industry is expecting marginal improvement in price realization in the global
market. The quality and aroma of Arabica variety of Indian coffee is much diverse than in other
global coffee markets. The Indian Coffee Board is quite sensitive to the plight of the country's
coffee industry and makes the domestic industry feel least impact of adverse international market
condition.

2.2 Starbuck Journey to Indian Market:


Coffee consumption in India is growing drastically, although too different likings. Before
Starbucks coffee entering into the Indian market, the company tweaked its menu to suit the
Indian conditions. This enabled them to offer their coffee at Rs. 80, which is far lower than those
offered by the competitors in the market. The current coffee bars in India provide some similar
environments to that of Starbucks, and the ones which are different appear to be simple enough
to where Starbucks can meet the needs of the Indian consumers, should it choose to adjust
slightly. For example, there is a Garden Caf, and a Cyber Caf, as well as a Highway Caf. If
Starbucks wishes to stay competitive and can do so without hurting their current image, they can
create similar cafs with the same type of peaceful home away from home environment which
they currently strive to achieve.
(Source: What risks do organizations face when engaging in international finance activities By Nicola Sargeant on
February 26, 2013)

2.3 Engaging as Join Venture in India:


India, with the largest middle class in the world, also ranks second, after China, in terms of
overall population (over 1 billion). For example, India has 1.03 billion people and about 170
people per car. The US, on the other hand, with a population of 275 million people, has three
people per car (Source: business news_ UK essays). But India is fast industrializing and with its vast
labour force and talented people, the Indian government is striving to make the country an
industrial giant within a 22th century.
When Starbucks decides to start their business in India, they also take on additional risk as well
as opportunities. The main risks that are associated with businesses engaging in Indian finance
include foreign exchange risk and political risk. These risks may sometimes make it difficult to
maintain constant and reliable revenue.
Tata Starbucks, the joint venture between
the Starbucks Coffee Co and Tata Global
Beverages, with both holding equal stake
(50/50 joint venture), entered the Indian
market in October 2012. It currently
operates

45

stores

in

India

across

Mumbai, Delhi and the national capital


region, Pune and Bangalore (In December
2013).
Starbuck Corporation Chairman, President & CEO Howard
Schultz and Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata.

2.4 Starbucks challenges in India:


Coffee in India is growing by around a fifth per year and is estimated to be worth in the region of
$300m, though the industry as a whole is beginning to stagnate somewhat because Indian people
most preferred Tea more than coffee.
One of the first coffee shops in the country, Barista, is up for sale whilst UK favourite Costa is
believed to be contemplating ending its agreements with Devyani International unless the New
Delhi based company stumps up more capital. Costa in India has not been profitable after a
nearly a decade of existence (Source: NDTV brand analysis report in 2012).
Starbucks faced challenges with coffee competitors that have made their imprint on the Indian
community. Starbucks still has competitive western advantage when compared to these other
competitors. Their prices are also said to be in line with its competitors, giving Starbucks a
chance to succeed. To enter the Indian market successfully they must understand that the Indian
people are focused on leading a healthy lifestyle. Starbucks high calorie, fat products will pose a
challenge of successfully entering the market. With good management and a strong strategic
plan, Starbucks can successfully conquer these challenges in India.
2.4.1 Business Risk in India:
When Starbucks Corporation decides to engage in Indian financing activities, they also take on
additional risk (as well as opportunities). The main risks that are associated with businesses
engaging in international finance include:

Foreign Exchange Risk

Political Risk

These risks may sometimes make it difficult to maintain constant and reliable revenue.
Foreign Exchange Risk:
Indias government approved plans to allow foreign investor share more than 51 percent and
local 49 percent because Indian government always want to benefited local company. When
Starbucks want to invest big amount of money in Indian market, this time Starbucks realize his
company at first facing foreign exchange risk, because this corporation to know foreign
exchange risk occurs when the value of investment fluctuates due to changes in
a currency's exchange rate. When a domestic currency appreciates against a foreign currency,
profit or returns earned in the foreign country will decrease after being exchanged back to the
domestic currency. Due to the somewhat volatile nature of the exchange rate, it can be quite
difficult to protect against this kind of risk, which can harm sales and revenues.

Political and Legal Risk (situation):


Political system of a country shapes its economic and legal systems. India is largest populated
and also democracy country (A political system in which government is by the people, exercised
either directly or through elected representatives) When Starbucks invest in Indian market this
time faces major problem are political which directly negatively affect the foreign company.
These policy changes can include such things as trade barriers, which serve to limit or prevent
international trade. Some governments will request additional funds or tariffs in exchange for the
right to export items into their country. Tariffs and quotas are used to protect domestic producers
from foreign competition. This also can have a huge effect on the profits of an organization
because it either cuts revenues from the result of a tax on exports or restricts the amount of
revenues that can be earned. Although the amount of trade barriers have diminished due to free
trade agreements and other similar measures, the everyday differences in the laws of foreign
countries can influence the profits and overall success of a company doing business transactions
abroad.
(Source: National Differences in Political Economy, class lecture Business in the Global Environment))

2.4.2 Other Strategy Factor Facing (Starbucks Business Operate in Indian Market):
Emerging markets experience: Starbucks analyses India market rapid industrialization and often

demonstrate extremely high levels of economic growth. This strong economic growth can
sometimes translate into investment returns that are superior to those available in developed
markets. However, emerging markets are also riskier than developed markets, there is often more
political uncertainty in emerging markets and their economies may be more prone to
excessive booms and busts. In addition to carefully evaluating and financial fundamentals,
investors should pay close attention to the country's political climate and the potential for
unexpected political developments.
Laws across borders: When laws of two countries differ, it may be possible in a contract to
specify in advance which laws will apply, although this agreement may not be consistently
enforceable. Alternatively, jurisdiction may be settled by treaties, and some governments, such
as that of the India often apply their laws to actions, such as anti-competitive behavior,
perpetrated outside their borders (extra-territorial application).
Starbucks sought after potential joint venture partnerships in India. Starbucks sought to acquire a
competitive intelligent strategy by gathering key information such as scouting locations and
meeting with government officials prior to entering these markets to fully gain the additional
market knowledge required for its success.
Government actions impacted Starbucks as a challenge with exchange control, trade agreements,
trademarks, and other foreign regulations all of which protected the working farmers and their
rights.

Cultural Factor: India culturally a tea drinking country. This country tea industry, which is
based in the rolling hills of Assam and West Bengal in the east produce huge tea than the other
agriculture product and Indian people are traditionally consume more. In this scenario the
government in New Delhi to officially recognize tea as the national drink.
As this situation Starbucks coffee entered new markets with new leadership that recognized the
culture, history and quality behind premium coffee; however, the no-smoking policy, high rent,
in India posed great challenges to Starbucks. Starbucks incurred additional losses with the
exchange of materials. Starbucks only offered North and South America ground roasted
premium coffee beans, India did not have a roasting facility; therefore, Starbucks paid additional
shipping costs to allow shipment of its coffee from its roasting facility in India.
(Source: The Hindu news article The first flagship Starbucks store in India).

Socioeconomically Factors: The coffee consumption rates in different international markets


such as in the Indian markets where coffee market is in the development stage, Starbucks faced
the challenge of having to educate the market and future consumers about the quality of coffee,
the experience, and the idea of coffee away from health concerns.

Existing Competitors: The Indian coffee market is growing at a feverish pace. Consumption has
almost doubled in the last few years on
the back of the large, young urban
population that prefers western cafes to
traditional Indian coffeehouses. Leading
coffee chains like Caf Coffee Day and
Costa Coffee are already registering
double digit growth rates and statistics
indicate the market is far from saturated.
The current coffee bars in India provide
some similar environments to that of
Starbucks and the ones which are
different appear to be simple enough to
where Starbucks can meet the needs of
the Indian consumers, should it choose to
adjust slightly.

Indian local & large coffee brand Caf Coffee Day


With Bollywood stars Arjun Rampal & Chitrangada Singh.

Economic Factors: Indian economy is not match in western country or china scenario. In this
market situation Starbucks business strategy not same to other country experiences. The
Starbucks product and service offerings allowed in India were twice that much in the United
States and yet Starbucks incurred huge losses due to the surmounting consumption of the Indian
intake of its gourmet and premium priced coffees.
Pricing decisions: Before Starbucks coffee entering into the Indian market, the company
tweaked its menu to suit the Indian conditions. This enabled them to offer their coffee at Rs. 80,
which is far lower than those offered by the competitors in the market. Pricing decisions in India
posed a great challenge to Starbucks due to the increase in disposable income and economic
situations that affected their idea about coffee which included:

Shifts in demographics and social trends such as the age of the coffee
consumer
The obesity rates which have an impact on corporate responsibility
programs

Bargaining Power of Buyers: As we know that Starbucks is providing the same quality of
product and services all over the world. So the customers bargaining power is limited. In fact
there is another threat to Starbucks is that their customers have the ability to brew their own
coffee and this is a threat for Starbucks.
Bargaining Power of Suppliers: The quality of coffee sought by Starbucks is very high.
Starbucks Corporation always want to follow rule and guidelines, not only just shareholder and
employees as also rule developed to suppliers because this corporation clearly known when any
company entire a big market this moment some clear guidelines benefited seller, buyer and
suppliers. Thats why Starbucks announced coffee purchasing guidelines for control the power of
supplier. These guidelines are based on the following four criteria: Quality baselines, social
conditions, environmental concerns, and economic issues because Starbucks known this brand
provide service to customer and this kind of quality must needed to run successful business in
global market.

3.1 FDI Mode of Starbucks in INDIA:


Tata Starbucks Ltd is a 50:50 joint venture company, owned by Starbucks Corporation and Tata
Global Beverages that owns and operates Starbucks outlets in India. The outlets are branded
Starbucks "A Tata Alliance". Starbucks, through an agreement with Tata Coffee, serves coffee
that is 100% locally sourced and roasted. A joint venture is a typical entry mode used world-

wide. Literally, it means two or more individual and independent firms join together in an
alliance in order to achieve better position in the market. Often the joint ventures are a 50/50
venture. It is a method that both sides hold relatively the same percentage of shares in the
venture. The joint ventures operation is separate from both companies and often the same role is
shared by both managerial teams. It could be possible that one firm invests more in order to gain
the larger percentage of shares and hold tighter control of the joint ventures operations.
3.1.1 Long term plan in India:
On 31 January 2015, Starbucks announced its objective to open more 20 outlets in India by the
end of 2015, through a 50-50 joint venture with Tata Global Beverages. The two partners will
invest a total of $80million initially. The cafes also try to serve a variety of small dishes ranging
in price to customer and also the regular coffee menu is also available during that time.
If raw coffee prices remain high, however profit margins for Starbucks small packaged coffee
business could erode in the long term. Coffee prices have surged this year, making it the best
performing commodity for the year to date, as record dry weather in Brazil has undermined
production forecasts.
Starbucks Coffee president (China & Asia Pacific) John Culver said "We are committed to India for the
long-term and we want to grow aggressively here. India will be our top five markets around the world
over a long-term"

4.1 Global Standardization Strategy of Starbucks:


To develop a successful global strategy, managers first must understand the nature of global
industries and the dynamics of global competition in market.
Starbucks follows a Global Standardization Strategy to focus on increasing profitability and
profit Production, Marketing R&D is done in centralized or few favorable locations. The taste
and making method is same all over the world. They ensure their quality of product and service
run in a same way everywhere.
Starbucks follows the cost leadership strategy their Economies of scale is globally standardized.
That means a reduction in unit cost achieved by increasing the amount of production. No or very
minimum local customization is done as that increases shorter production runs and duplication of
functions which raise cost. They makes standard product is for worldwide distribution and sales.
Used for industries where less local response is required and strong pressure for cost reduction is
required such as industrial goods. Consumer goods requires high local responsiveness, hence this
industry do not follow this strategy. If not, the cost will increase and the company must be in
trouble.
[The Global market Place by: Professor Lars Perner, Ph.D. University of South California 2009, &
Class lecture: Mohd. MahbubHussain, Lecturer, ULAB School of Business, on April 04, 2015]

4.2 Organizational Structure:


Every corporation mentions organizational structure and chart. STARBUCKS Corporation is
developing a new organizational structure. It will be deeply concerned CSR into their
department. Their strategy includes good sourcing, high level environmental performance in the
development and make new stores, working together and to be a respected partner in their
communities and communicating their CSR responsibilities. They specifically allocate leading
for their reporting as the most important in the development of strategy.

4.3 Vertical differentiation (Decentralized):


Starbucks corporation has decentralized authority because they created decision-making for
each manager. There are also lots of stores around the world and each store has different from
the authority managers and customers. So Starbucks will be an organization and its employees to
behave in a flexible way even as the organization grows and becomes taller. This is the way
managers are so interested in empowering employees, if they work good they can get good
position and establish cross-functional teams. They are used to improve communication between
the employee group who is responsible for the product and the group who provides the specific
functional skill.

[How to Organize and Lead on Entrepreneurial Venture, Global Text Project, 2012 by: Dr. Donald J. Cubbrey&
Starbucks Wikipedia; seen on August 11, 2014]

5.1 Conclusion:
Starbucks faced challenges with coffee competitors that have made their imprint on the Indian
community. Starbucks still has competitive western advantage when compared to these other
competitors. This branding global expansion had successfully developed with market share in
various cities in the world. For global company like Starbucks, it is very vital to decide its entry
modes when enter into a new market as it impacts a long-term operation in the foreign country.
Therefore, by combining internal and external factors, Starbucks does make the right choice of
entry modes for international expansion and operating their business in various countries.

: : Reference List:
Howard Schultz Starbucks & You Its bigger than coffee January 2014.
Available from: http://www.starbucks.com/responsibility/global-report
Overholt Alison. Do You Hear What Starbucks Hears? Fast Company. July 2004.
Available from: http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/84/starbucks_schultz.html

Frey, Christine. Starbucks to Buy Seattles Best Coffee. Seattle Post-Intellegencer. April 2003.
Available from: http://www.sba.pdx.edu/faculty/daveg/562/Starbucks

Gilbert, Sarah. Starbucks buys Coffee People stores, hippies mourn. Bloggingstocks:SIRI 18
Sept. 2006.

Holmes, Stanley. Whats Behind Starbucks Price Hike? Business Week Online. 25 Sept. 2006.
Available from: http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2006-09-21/whats-behind-starbucks-price-hikebusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice.

Starbucks International Operations Report By Howard Schultz, Chairman & Chief Global
Strategist Starbucks, 20011
Available From: http://Www.Seriouseats.Com/2008/04/The-Changing-Face-Of-Starbucks.Html

http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204740904577192500354456184

http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703583404576079593558838756

http://www.borgenmagazine.com/the-success-of-starbucks-in-india/

.http://profit.ndtv.com/topic/foreign-exchange-rules

http://www.2point6billion.com/news/2012/10/31/starbucks-india-expansion-attracts-brandconscious-middle-class-consumers-11768.html

http://www.ukessays.com/essays/marketing/proposed-expansion-strategies-of-starbucks-intoindian-market-marketing-essay.php

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