New Delhi, Feb 20 : Buoyed by the reception of its espresso coffee retail chain, Barista Coffee Company Ltd is contemplating to take the Indian-grown brand to other Asian markets like Dubai and Jakarta. "Our business model is replicable in other markets also," says Mr Ravi S Deol, president and CEO, Barista. "We're already following the best practises and employee training modules that have made the US-based Nordstrom one of the best global retailers."The coffee chain will also launch a comprehensive loyalty programme for its customers by March-end this year. The company has already initiated a CRM model for customer interface programmes.
The one-year old Barista has proposed to invest Rs 50 crore to establish a network of 100 stores in the first phase of expansion by the year-end. Says Mr Deol, "We hope to get a turnover of Rs 50 crore in the year 2001-02. We'll break even by the third year of operations."
Barista has already set up a chain of 20 company-owned stores in five cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chandigarh. This also includes alliances with like-minded establishments like Planet M, Crosswords, Art Today and Arcus.
As per its tie-up with Ebony, Barista will be shortly opening coffee shops in all the five Ebony outlets in Delhi, Ludhiana and Chandigarh.
Copyright © 2001 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
