Starbucks plans to open 100 new stores across the UK this year, while investing millions of pounds in upgrading existing cafes. It comes as the world's largest coffee chain reported a big jump in sales in the UK for 2022, continuing its recovery from the hit of the pandemic. The chain has 1,066 UK outlets, around 70% of which are franchises with the remainder owned by the company. Its UK expansion comes despite inflation - the rate at which prices rise - being near a 40-year-high, pushing up the cost of ingredients for the firm and eating into its profits. Duncan Moir, president of Starbucks in the UK, Europe and Middle East, said the firm also planned to open 300 new stores in the rest of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. However, he said he remained "cautious" about economic environment, and that "like many other businesses" Starbucks had faced challenges including shortages of HGV drivers, rising supplier costs, and shipping delays. The firm is also struggling with higher energy costs and demands for higher wages from workers.
