The prominent global coffee retailer and roaster, Starbucks, as per their plan to launch stores in Nordic markets has signed a venture with SSP, its operating associate to start its first store in Helsinki Airport, Finland next year in 2012.

SSP, a popular operator of food and beverage brands in international travel sites will manage and operate the Helsinki Airport Starbucks store. Of the two stores, one will be situated at the arrivals hall for easy access to commuters and visitors from the city and other will be positioned after the security terminal, says the company, allowing passengers to carry coffee onto the plane for their travel cup holder.

The partnership between Starbucks and SSP started in June 2008 and as a result 29 stores were launched in the UK, Spain, France, Germany and Switzerland. The first store in Sweden was also at the airport, at Arlanda in the year 2010.

Rich Nelsenope, president of Starbucks Europe, Middle East and Africa said that the expansion is coherent with the growth policy adopted by the company to expand its present retail establishment to encompass more of the international travel channel and that too with expert and proficient business partners like SSP. “We are delighted to further our expansion into the Nordics and looking forward to meeting our new customers in Helsinki, Gothenburg and Malmo”, he added.

Starbucks recently introduced Starbucks Iced Latte, Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso and Milk, and Starbucks bottled Frappuccino coffee drinks all across Denmark, Finland, and Norway at convenience stores and groceries. This announcement from Starbucks came soon after this profitable launch.

In recent times, the two giants have also made a declaration about opening a store at Gardermoen Airport in Oslo, Norway in the beginning of 2012. With the stores opening in Helsinki Airport, Starbucks officials state that they will gain complete existence in the Nordic markets. This is exciting coffee news for European residents and international travelers alike.