Starbucks or Megabucks

Starbucks that established its first retail outlet in India - in Elphinstone Building, Horniman Circle, Fort provides a preview of the Government’s efforts to rope in the much touted FDI (Foreign Direct Investment). It rings a bell and I am reminded of the CCD slogan – A lot can happen over coffee.
Indians are more of tea lovers; more so because coffee doesn't suit their pocket hence palette too – exceptions being Tamilians. It’s a mere co-incidence that the fin min PC hails from Tamilnadu bears the flagship of initiating FDI in single brand retail in the world’s largest coffee chain – Starbucks.
For over a year the ruling party and the opposition have locked horns on allowing a 100% FDI in single brand retailing. The notification by the Indian Government has been welcomed globally and is a step towards decreasing the foreign exchange deficit. These measures are a desperate attempt to revive our sagging economy, and what better way to tempt the Indian consumers to loosen their belts and purse than through the stomach to enlarge India’s share in the emerging markets.
Starbucks has tactically priced its most expensive coffee at Rs 200/- and selected the locale of its stores with care. Coffee shops are shortly being inaugurated either in SOBO or the recently opened Oberoi Mall which are bound to attract customers willy-nilly. The long queues formed last Friday with people eager to be the first to flaunt the Starbucks experience substantiates both the Governments and Starbucks clever strategies. Both aim at attracting megabucks to its respective coffers. A lot does happen over coffee.:coffee