Starbucks Corp, the world's biggest coffee-shop chain, bought out a partner in more than 60 retail stores in China, gaining more control of its brand as the US company prepares to accelerate expansion in the nation.

Starbucks bought 90 percent of Beijing Mei Da Coffee Co, a licensee and owner of stores in Beijing and nearby Tianjin, from H&Q Asia Pacific and other owners, Starbucks said in a statement.

Starbucks aims to more than triple its outlets around the world to 40,000 to challenge Yum Brands Inc and McDonald's Corp as the world's biggest restaurant company. The acquisition will help the Seattle-based company improve efficiency and accelerate expansion in China, the country expected to become its biggest market abroad, Starbucks said.

Starbucks has 190 stores in 19 cities in the Chinese mainland. "China will eventually be the largest international market," Martin Coles, president of Starbucks Coffee International said. Starbucks has said the company may ultimately have as many as 6,000 or 7,000 stores in China.

Starbucks' global target, announced this month, supplanted the previous goal of 30,000 stores. The company had 12,440 stores as of October 1, including 8,800 in the US and 3,600 international locations.

China's 1.3 billion people may spend more than 1 trillion Yuan (US$126 billion) dining out this year, the Ministry of Commerce said October 20.

Starbucks may exercise a right to increase its stake in a second venture, which includes Taiwan's Uni-President Enterprises Corp and covers about 100 outlets in Shanghai and surrounding cities, Coles said.

Starbucks agreed in July 2003 to pay US$21 million to buy 45 percent of the Shanghai chain from President Chain Store Co and Uni-President.

French questions the strength in China: "Many Chinese have been to Starbucks, but they're not regular coffee drinkers. In the US, people buy takeout coffees, but most Chinese stay in the shop so the turnover is not good."

Source:佚名