Starbucks is to move the regional headquarters of its Europe, Middle East and Africa business from Amsterdam to London, effective end of 2014.
This move will concentrate a modest number of senior executives in the London operation, some of whom are currently based in Amsterdam.
By making this move, senior leaders will be better able to oversee the UK market in which over half of Starbucks’ European stores – with more than 7,500 employees (called partners) – are located.
Announcing the move, Kris Engskov, President, Starbucks EMEA said: “Closer proximity to our biggest market will be critical to our success as we grow our business across Europe and the globe.”
UK is largest and fastest growing European market
Since Starbucks opened its first stores in Europe in 1998, we have grown to over 2,000 stores in 35 countries. Today, our largest and fastest growing European market is the UK. As the coffee industry has grown, the UK and London specifically has become one of the most competitive coffee markets in the world.
In the UK alone, Starbucks plans to open over 100 retail stores across the country in 2014, creating 1,000 new, permanent jobs. Continued growth is expected in other European markets as well. This move will mean more tax is paid in the UK.
Over 200 partners will continue to be employed in the Amsterdam hub to support the EMEA business. This is the site where Starbucks roasts and distributes all of the coffee for the whole of Europe, and that will not change with the European Head Office move.
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