Starbucks plays down British economy row

The Starbucks coffee chain sought to mend fences in Britain on Wednesday after Business Secretary Peter Mandelson slammed its chief executive for talking down the British economy.
On a one-day trip to New York this week, Mandelson launched a tirade against Starbucks chief executive Howard Schultz after he heard him say on US television that Britain was in an economic "spiral".
Asked about Schultz's remarks by reporters at a diplomatic cocktail reception, he said: "Why should I have that guy running down the country?" Mandelson then used an expletive to describe Schultz.
He added: "How the hell are they doing?" -- an apparent reference to Starbucks' own troubles which have seen the company announce the closure of nearly 1,000 stores.
Starbucks issued a conciliatory statement insisting it "has no intention of criticising the economic situation in the UK" and stressing its commitment to Britain, one of its biggest markets.