Berjaya to open 2 Starbucks outlets in Iceland
Berjaya Food has faced significant challenges due to the boycott of Starbucks Malaysia, which was sparked by the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
PETALING JAYA : A Berjaya Food Bhd subsidiary is set to introduce the first-ever Starbucks stores in Iceland next month under an operating licence granted by Starbucks.
Berjaya Food Group CEO Sydney Quays said the expansion marks the first entry of a Malaysian public-listed food and beverage company into Iceland's coffee market.
In a statement, Quays said Berjaya Food International (BFI) would be opening the first store at Reykjavik's main shopping street while the second outlet would be opened in the city's new harbour district.
The opening dates and exact locations will be announced in due course.
'As we introduce the iconic Starbucks experience and warm Malaysian hospitality, we are also committed to empowering the local community by creating job opportunities and sourcing from local businesses,' he added.
The boycott of Starbucks Malaysia, which was sparked by the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, has heavily impacted Berjaya Food.
In February, Bloomberg reported that Berjaya Food's hundreds of Starbucks' outlets across Malaysia contributed to the company's fifth straight quarterly loss after boycotts of US fast food brands caused by America's support of Israel's offensive in Gaza.
Berjaya Food reported a net loss of RM70.3 million for the six-month period that ended in December.
Berjaya Group founder Vincent Tan said Starbucks Malaysia was seeing an improvement in sales as the boycott had tapered off.
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