UK-based Costa Coffee has opened its first outlet in Kochi at the Lulu mall. According to the company officials, the store will serve over 25 varieties of hot and cold coffee and flavoured drinks along with snacks and food items from both international and customised range.
Speaking on the occasion, Santosh Unni, CEO, Costa Coffee, India, said: “We are delighted to have finally come to Kochi. This is our third city of presence in the South after Bangalore and Chennai and it will be a privilege to serve the discerning coffee drinkers of Kochi. We are sure they will love the taste of our internationally celebrated coffee.”
Costa plans to triple its global footprint by 2015-2016 through expansion in the emerging markets like China, Russia, North Africa and India.
“Costa has been well accepted by the Indian consumers from the day it was launched. We have had a great run so far and some of our learning here makes for a stronger pitch for Costa in emerging markets. We plan to continue our expansion strategy and build a pan India presence to make Costa the first choice for coffee amongst the consumers,” said Judd Williams, Director, Middle East, India and South East Asia, Costa Coffee.
Costa Coffee claims to be the first international coffee chain to set up business in India in September 2005 partnering with Devyani International. Beginning with its first store opening in Connaught Place in New Delhi, the coffee chain now has stores in Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Pune, Jaipur, Ludhiana, and Agra and serves over 4 million cups of coffee a year.
