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.

Not only is Starbucks (SBUX) developing growers of high-quality coffee crops as we discussed here earlier, the Financial Times is reporting that the Seattle coffee giant is helping to develop a retail skills program for teens within the British schools. I've heard of high tech companies having difficulty finding qualified candidates from the public primary and secondary education systems, but never this. If Starbucks is taking this step I can only conclude they are having trouble finding enough soldiers qualified to don the green apron. To see the company put money and effort in this direction is an indicator that they are committed to continued improvement in their service and workforce. Many commentators here insist that Starbucks is a fad. I heard that five years ago, I heard it ten years ago, and I expect to hear to be hearing it still -- ten years from now.

And don't forget: caffeine's addictive.