While stock in what Brits refer to "Starbuck's North American parent company" (SBUX) plunged last week and we mull the possible reasons for that here (Gilbert) and here (Kretzman), Starbucks UK sales rise 20% to about 462 million dollars U.S. This resulted in after tax profit just over $14 million. Last year the company reported near $1 million after-tax loss. The Seattle gourmet coffee retailer operates 500 stores in the UK, which has a population around 60 million, making it the clear industry leader ahead of Costa Coffee, with 400 stores, and other competing chains.

A common complaint heard in the States is also heard in Britain. Aren't the "High Streets" (retail districts) saturated with fancy coffee shops by now?

Nope. According to the UK subsidiary's new CEO, Phil Broad, the British are still behind the rest of Europe in premium coffee consumption, and he sees -- as Starbucks execs in all national and international markets tend to -- plenty of room to keep adding stores.