Starbucks: not so Seattle, not so subtle

US coffee chain Starbucks is preparing to take the UK by storm with the opening of its first branches here. – Staff confirm that only minimal interior design changes are needed to bring outlets of Seattle Coffee Company, which Starbucks recently acquired,

US coffee chain Starbucks is preparing to take the UK by storm with the opening of its first branches here.

Staff confirm that only minimal interior design changes are needed to bring outlets of Seattle Coffee Company, which Starbucks recently acquired, into line with the Starbucks format.

But will the customer service initiatives on show during the opening of the King’s Road branch in London’s Chelsea scare away shy and retiring British customers? Shortly after ordering, coffee drinkers were called back by name to collect their beverages.

If the prospect of having ‘tall skinny latté for John,’ or ‘diet decaff cappuccino for Lucy,’ shouted around your local café first thing on a Monday fills you with dread, beware.

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