British coffee chain makes its 12th market entry, with Mumbai selected for its first location and further expansion planned through Trent’s retail network.
British coffeehouse chain Caffè Nero is entering India through a strategic partnership with Tata Group’s retail arm, Trent Limited, marking its 12th international market entry. The first café is planned for Mumbai, with additional locations expected alongside Trent’s existing retail formats in the coming months.
Announced on November 2, 2026, the partnership gives The Nero Group, the parent company of Caffè Nero, an entry into India’s expanding coffee market through an established domestic retail operator. Trent operates several retail formats, including Westside and Zudio, providing the British brand with access to an existing network of retail locations.
The first Indian outlet will introduce Caffè Nero’s signature Classico espresso blend, alongside a food menu incorporating locally inspired products. While the companies have indicated plans for further openings, they have not disclosed the total number of cafés, investment involved or a detailed expansion schedule.
The partnership follows reports that Trent had signed a licensing arrangement with Caffè Nero to introduce cafés within its Westside and Zudio stores. According to sources, the commercial terms and rollout plans were not disclosed. The latest announcement confirms the strategic partnership although its precise contractual structure has not been publicly detailed.
Founded in London in 1997 by Gerry Ford, Caffè Nero has established an international presence with its European-style coffeehouse concept. India represents the group’s furthest expansion east and adds another significant consumer market to its international portfolio.
“I’m delighted to be opening our first store in India. It’s a fantastic market with huge potential for us and I’m pleased to continue the sustained growth and expansion of our brand in this new territory. Trent will be a great partner for us. They share our vision for premium, speciality coffee, and I’m looking forward to working with them to establish and grow our brand in India,” said Gerry Ford, Founder and Group CEO of The Nero Group.
The India expansion comes as The Nero Group reports continued growth across its international operations. For the financial year ended May 31, 2026, the group recorded sales of £670 million, an increase of 8% year-on-year, while like-for-like sales grew by 4.1%.
The group operates more than 1,200 coffeehouses internationally and employs approximately 12,000 people. Its portfolio includes Caffè Nero, Coffee#1, 200 Degrees Coffee and FCB Coffee. It has also strengthened its US presence through the acquisition of Compass Coffee locations and a roastery in Washington, DC.
For Trent, the partnership adds an international speciality coffee brand to its retail ecosystem, while giving Caffè Nero an established local partner to develop its presence in India. The move also comes against the backdrop of growing competition in India’s organised coffee market, where domestic operators and international chains are expanding through new store formats and strategic partnerships.
With Mumbai set to host the first location, the pace and scale of Caffè Nero’s Indian expansion will depend on the rollout of its partnership with Trent.
