By 2015 Starbucks wants 1500 stores in China (triple its presence).  In the WSJ I read Starbucks believes China will be its biggest market.  And Starbucks is also buying out its local partner.

My take:

1. China has a huge middle class that can afford Starbucks, and its growing.
2. Coffee prices have been increasing due to growing problems.
3. Chinese are big into status symbols, and drinking Starbucks is a huge status symbol.

Foreign companies ready to fly solo - China Daily

Lifestyle Coffee drinkers to keep demand growing in China - Reuters

Labels: china's future