The Nero Group has announced a strategic partnership with Trent Limited, the retail and lifestyle business of Tata Group, to introduce its Caffè Nero coffee house brand to India.
The agreement will see the British coffee group establish its first location in Mumbai, with additional openings planned alongside Trent’s existing retail formats in the coming months.
The expansion will make India the 12th territory in which The Nero Group operates and represents its furthest move east to date.
The partnership provides Caffè Nero with an opportunity to enter one of the world’s largest consumer markets through an established Indian retail business.
Trent Limited operates a portfolio of retail formats within Tata Group, providing an existing network through which the coffee brand can develop its presence in India.
The first Caffè Nero location will introduce the company’s Classico espresso blend alongside a food offering incorporating locally inspired products.
The move forms part of The Nero Group’s continuing international development strategy, which has included investment in its existing coffee house estate and acquisitions to broaden its portfolio.
The company recently reported record sales of £670 million for the financial year ending 31 May 2026, representing an 8% increase on the previous year.
Like-for-like sales increased by 4.1%, reflecting continued growth across the group’s operations.
According to the latest announcement, The Nero Group now operates more than 1,200 coffee houses internationally and employs approximately 12,000 people.
Its portfolio includes Caffè Nero, Coffee#1, 200 Degrees Coffee and FCB Coffee, with the latter two businesses acquired in 2024.
The group has also expanded its presence in the United States through the acquisition of 16 Compass Coffee stores and a coffee roastery in Washington DC.
The agreement with Trent represents another stage in the group’s international expansion, extending its established European-style coffee house concept into the Indian market.
Gerry Ford, Founder and Group CEO of The Nero Group, said: “I’m delighted to be opening our first store in India, it’s a fantastic market with huge potential for us and I’m pleased to continue the sustained growth and expansion of our brand in this new territory. Trent, will be a great partner for us. They share our vision for premium, speciality coffee, and I’m looking forward to working with them to establish and grow our brand in India.”
The partnership also reflects the growing relationship between retail and hospitality operators, with coffee shops increasingly incorporated into wider shopping destinations.
For The Nero Group, working with Trent provides an established retail partner as it seeks to introduce Caffè Nero to Indian consumers and develop further opportunities across the country.
The first location is planned for Mumbai, although a specific opening date and the number of additional stores have not yet been confirmed.
Associated Articles
The Nero Group Reports Record £670m Sales as Global Expansion Continues
The group’s latest financial results provide important context for its international development strategy and expansion into the Indian market.
The Nero Group Reports Record £670m Sales as Global Expansion Continues
Caffè Nero Partners with MyProtein to Launch Protein Iced Drinks Across UK Estate
Caffè Nero’s recent product partnership highlights its continued development of its drinks offering alongside wider international expansion.
Caffè Nero Partners with MyProtein to Launch Protein Iced Drinks Across UK Estate
Black Sheep Coffee Signs 20-Store Franchise Agreement Creating 300 Jobs
Black Sheep Coffee’s franchise expansion provides further context on how coffee operators are using strategic partnerships to enter new markets.
Black Sheep Coffee Signs 20-Store Franchise Agreement Creating 300 Jobs
