Helsinki, Finland, May 14, 2012 – Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX), and  SSP, the leading dedicated provider of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide, today announced the opening of the first Starbucks store in Finland at Helsinki Airport, conveniently located in Terminal 2, Arrivals Hall 2B. The store will open its doors to the public on Tuesday, May 15. With today’s announcement, Starbucks further extends its presence across the Nordic markets.

SSP will operate two Starbucks stores at Helsinki Airport. The newly opened store is located in the Arrivals Hall where it will be accessible to passengers and visitors from the city. The other will be located in the Departures Hall beyond security and will open later this year. 

Commenting on the new openings, SSP Finland’s Managing Director Kalle Ruuskanen said, “We are delighted to build on our recent successful Starbucks store openings at Arlanda Airport in Sweden and Gardermoen Airport in Norway. It is a privilege to support Starbucks, one of the world’s most recognized coffee brands, in their European growth and we look forward to share the Starbucks Experience and meet the increasing demand for premium coffee in the travel channels in Finland.”

Arjan Oudejans, Director of Licensed Stores EMEA: “We are excited to open this store. Finns have been coffee drinkers for more than 250 years, and today coffee is considered the national drink. Finns have the world’s highest per capita consumption – about five cups of coffee a day.” Oudejans continued: “This expansion at Helsinki Airport is consistent with our European growth strategy to open stores where our customers want and expect us to be. We look forward to offer our Finnish customers Starbucks premium arabica coffee and innovative products in an inviting and relaxed atmosphere.”

This announcement comes on the heels of the successful launch of Starbucks® Iced Latte, Starbucks Doubleshot® Espresso and Milk, and Starbucks® bottled Frappuccino® coffee drinks in grocery and convenience stores in Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway. Oudejans: “Having experienced an enthusiastic response to our Starbucks® ready-to-drink beverages in Finland, we hope consumers will appreciate this extension of our unique Starbucks Experience, including our commitment to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world.”

The store at Helsinki Airport boasts a comprehensive product offering, including 100 % Fairtrade Certified espresso-based drinks, freshly-brewed coffees, teas and specialty beverages such as the popular Frappuccinos®. The range of food items includes a variety of breakfast, lunch and snack items like muffins and other pastries, sandwiches and Starbucks Petites. Moreover, the store will function as a community gathering place where travellers and visitors to the airport connect.