STARBUCKS Coffee International announced the departure of its Australian operation’s managing director this week, but its plans for WA are still on track.
Markus Hofer became managing director of the company after signing a joint venture with Starbucks Coffee Company (Australia) Pty Ltd, which opened its first Australian store in Sydney two years ago.
An official statement from Starbucks Coffee Asia Pacific president, Pedro Man, thanked Mr Hofer for his contribution and said Starbucks Coffee International was actively undertaking an international search for a replacement.
Starbucks Coffee Company (Australia) Pty Ltd director of operations Kathy White said the coffee company was still on track with expansion plans and, although there were no imminent plans to open a WA store, things may change in two to three years.
American coffee retailer Gloria Jeans has already penetrated the WA market, opening its first store in Karrinyup Shopping Centre in late January with a second store due to open in Murray Street in two weeks.
Sydney-based JamaicaBlue is looking to expand its operations and is currently looking for suitable sites.
