Starbucks to sell Green Mountain-rival brewer this year

Starbucks Corp., the world's largest coffee-shop operator, plans to introduce a new single-cup brewer this year at a time when the Keurig coffee machines made by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. already face new rivals.

The Verismo machine will make espresso-based beverages and brewed coffee, Seattle-based Starbucks said Thursday in a statement. Starbucks said it will advertise and sell the machine and single-cup pods through a "strategic relationship" with closely held Krueger GmbH.

Chief executive Howard Schultz has sought to boost sales with single-serving beverages that customers can brew at home. Last year, Starbucks began selling Via instant-coffee packets in China and signed a deal with Green Mountain to sell K-Cup capsules for Green Mountain's Keurig brewer.

From: articles.boston.com