Starbucks, the world’s largest coffee chain, has announced its plans to open up 300 new commercial properties, which in turn will create around 5000 jobs over the next five years.
The move was welcomed by the Government after Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg said it had been a “gloomy week”. Speaking of the announcement, David Cameron, Prime Minister, stated: “I am glad to see continued investment and job creation in the private sector.”
Starbucks plans to open 200 drive-through commercial properties, which can be usually found at motorway service stations and train stations. The chain also plans to open a further 100 coffee shops on the high street, which will give city centres around the UK a much needed boost.
Speaking of the new drive-through commercial properties, Zuber Issa, Euro Garages Managing Director, stated: “Our relationship with Starbucks has been a huge success to date. We’re delighted to be making such a positive announcement about our expansion together that will create new and exciting employment opportunities for so many people across our sites.”
Starbucks is well known for their fair trade, organic and high quality coffee that they produce, and their customers know this only too well. People now only want the ‘best coffee’ when they are out and about, as Kris Engskov, Managing Director of Starbucks in the UK and Ireland, expressed: “Customers told us that they now expect the best possible coffee wherever they are and the success of our first drive-thru stores shows that this is a huge opportunity.”
Since 2009, Starbucks has seen record growth margins in terms of sales, which is mainly due to their innovative business strategy.
The creation of 5000 jobs over the next five years, will give unemployment figures a much needed boost, especially as the majority of staff employed by Starbucks are under the age of 24, as Mr Engskov put across: “It means that we are able to create quality jobs at a time when they are most needed and because half of our baristas are under 24 years-old, this will particularly benefit young job-seekers at a time of record youth unemployment.”
Starbucks currently has 9000 stores, in 8000 licensed commercial properties in over 60 countries. 700 of those stores are located in the UK, of which approximately ten commercial properties are in central London. However, with the recent announcement, this figure is set to grow and grow over the next few years.
