Starbucks to open 400 stores in Asia

The new coffee shops will open in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Starbucks plans to invest in the Asia-Pacific region. Having recently marked the opening of its 5,000th location in Asia, the coffee giant said it intends to continue strengthening its position in the market.

The company's press office said the new coffee shops would open in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, focusing on smaller cities. Last November, Starbucks officially entered the Laos market by opening its first outlet in Vientiane.

"The Asia-Pacific region is a dynamic and diverse growth engine for Starbucks worldwide. As the economy recovers, the region has achieved more than 20 percent year-over-year sales growth, demonstrating the strength and relevance of the brand," Starbucks commented.

The Seattle-based company will also expand in India. Starbucks plans to open more than 300 stores in 40 cities nationwide. As for the anniversary opening in Asia, the 5,000th was a coffee shop in Gwangyang-si, a city in Gyeonggi-do province.

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