The new store offers a selection of sixteen specialty coffees from around the world, along with an exclusive lineup of beverages inspired by Indian flavours from states like Kerala, Maharashtra, and Meghalaya.

Additionally, customers can personalise their coffee in various ways. For the first time in India, Starbucks will also introduce the AeroPress brewing method, allowing customers to experience coffee brewed using this technique.

“The launch of our first coffee experiential store in New Delhi, our first store among many upcoming similar stores in the country, represents our celebration of Indian coffee heritage through variety, artistry and food theatre, complimented by a host of international coffee offerings,” said Sushant Dash, CEO, Starbucks India.

The new store will be open to the public from 8 AM to 11 PM on all days of the week.

Starbucks-branded coffee chain in India is operated by a 50:50 joint-venture between Seattle-based Starbucks Coffee Co. and Tata Consumer Products Ltd. Today, it operates over 445 stores across the country. 

The coffee chain is aggressively expanding its retail presence in India, with plans to reach 1,000 stores by 2028 by opening one new store every three days, according to the company’s official website.

The beverage giant announced its intention to double its workforce, reaching around 8,600 partners from the current 4,300. This expansion plan involves venturing into tier 2 and 3 cities in India, as well as extending services to drive-thrus, airports, and 24-hour store formats to cater to customers’ diverse needs.

Starbucks is expanding its presence with more specialty stores in India. It recently opened its first pet-friendly store in India, located at Jaipur, first-ever store within a court in India at Delhi High Court and its first store in a metro station at the Western Express Highway metro station in Mumbai.

The company also unveiled its first certified Greener store in India located in Punjab, which was awarded the Greener Store of the Year in the Asia Pacific region.

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Positioned as a distinguished high-end concept store with an experiential essence, Foodstories transcends conventional supermarket paradigms, offering patrons a narrative woven through the tapestry of gastronomy.  Talking about the new venture, Avni Biyani, Founder, Foodstories, said, ‘’In every region of India, their food is being celebrated.There are numerous producers, growers, entrepreneurs, and farmers engaging in innovative practices, cultivating unique ingredients locally or foraging them from forests. Recognizing this diversity, we realized the necessity for a space and platform where these individuals could converge, and weave captivating narratives. Through Foodstories, we aim to offer consumers opportunities to delve deeper and explore food in ways that have never been experienced before.’’

Spanning an impressive expanse of 10,000 square feet, the establishment incorporates an inviting all-dining café accommodating 25 to 30 guests, enhancing the overall experiential ambiance. The store also has a Kitchen Studio that allows content creators, brands, and Chefs to host immersive experiences and food samplings. Apart from that, the store has a bakery with over 100 varieties of Freshly baked breads and other confectionery items. The store also has a cheese room that displays over 125 varieties of homegrown and globally sourced cheese and also provides cheese platters for pick-ups. Their dry fruits and spice gardens have premium quality nuts, seeds, dry fruits, and spices that are ethically sourced and bring forward an assortment of local regions and flavors.  

Additionally, Foodstories showcases an eclectic assortment of gourmet delicacies, encompassing an array of fresh produce, condiments, and packaged goods comprising oils, snacks, RTE, RTC, and meats sourced from both international and domestic brands. Additionally, plans are underway to initiate e-commerce operations in Delhi later this year, further expanding its reach and accessibility.

Distinctive sections within the store, such as Bake Break, Beverage Bar, Hydration Station, High Tea, Breakfast Club, Snack Shack, and Sauce City, unveil an array of premium culinary offerings and elevate the culinary exploration experience beyond conventional norms.

The store’s grand inauguration on March 15th and 16th featured an enriching panel discussion graced by prominent figures in the retail landscape including Avni Biyani herself, alongside Vasuki Punj, Yahvi Mariwala, Naveen Patwal, and Amit Lohani. Their engaging anecdotes and insightful perspectives shed light on the evolving trajectory of culinary exploration in India, emphasizing the harmonious convergence of traditional shopping paradigms with gastronomic innovation. The event also showcased food stories by India’s top restaurant The Bombay Canteen, and gin crafters Stranger & Sons, giving a delightful experience to the food enthusiasts.

The event also showcased ways in which children can cultivate hydroponic herbs at home through Triton Food Works on Day 2, followed by an immersive coffee workshop conducted by Nandan Coffee. Following the workshop, the Baker’s Story segment featured Chef Heena Punwani from Maska Bakery, who shared her food story during a baking workshop held at the store’s Kitchen Studio. The event concluded with a brunch accompanied by captivating stories shared by other prominent figures during a wine pairing session.

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