Coffee rivals square off in Italy ahead of Starbucks invasion

Milan

TWO of Italy's biggest coffee houses are reinforcing their brands with flagship cafes in Milan near the spot where US rival Starbucks is set to begin an invasion next year.

Lavazza was set to open its first flagship cafe in the coffee-obsessed city on Tuesday, not far from the renovated 19th century palazzo where Starbucks will open its first Italian store, a "Reserve Roasteries" outlet offering speciality blends and fine food. Another top Italian brand, illycaffe, opened its own luxury cafe close to the Starbucks site in May, in a cosy courtyard in Milan's most fashionable street.