Unilever may be planning foray into tea retailing
Anglo-Dutch food and beverage giant Unilever, owner of brands such as Lipton and PG Tips, may be on the verge of entering the tea retail sector. According to a job specification issued by the company, Unilever is looking for a global manager to launch a new concept of branded tea cafes to drive growth of its tea brands. It hopes to replicate the effect Starbucks and Nespresso had on the coffee industry over the last few years, changing how customers perceive the beverage and how they consume it at home and on the go. Unilever did not provide any further details on the project, but it is expected to be launched in selected countries this year and in many others in 2013. It should be fully developed by 2017.