Coffee chain woos China with taste of Italian style

By Harry Wallop and Caroline Muspratt (Filed: 21/06/2006)

Costa, the coffee bar chain owned by Whitbread, is moving to China next year in an attempt to wean the Chinese off their favourite tipple of tea in favour of cappuccinos.

Costa already has a small presence in Asia, with 13 stores in India, but plans to move into Shanghai and eastern China through a joint venture and aims to have 300 stores throughout China within a couple of years.

Alan Parker, the chief executive, said: "Three hundred is a very reasonable target; 300 is a target to be beaten."

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