Starbucks Corp. (SBUX)

All Comments on SBUX

  • commenter
    five whys
    Aug 22 10:43 PM
    My Website
    Inflation a Huge Drag as Energy Costs Transform Consumer Behavior [view article]
    agree.. but aren't these things all already factored into the market? Reply
  • commenter
    RPK
    Aug 22 10:25 PM
    My Website
    Where Starbucks Went Wrong [view article]
    Starbuck's did the right thing in closing unprofitable stores and stores that were cannibalizing sales from other stores. SBUX expanded too fast and had too many stores leading to poor execution, a reduction in quality, a lack of focus on the customer, and a dilution of the brand. This is similar to the problems suffered by McDonald's several year's back. However, SBUX can recover as the problems the company suffers from are only operational in combination with a poor economy. Reply
  • commenter
    WaltMorre
    Aug 21 09:53 AM
    Inflation a Huge Drag as Energy Costs Transform Consumer Behavior [view article]
    Because of the tough economy and high gas prices instead of store hopping (save gas $$'s), I have stared shopping through bargains websites like Unodeals. The savings over the stores are big, shipping is mostly free and the icing on the cake is - generally no state tax. Reply
  • commenter
    billddrummer
    Aug 20 03:43 PM
    Inflation a Huge Drag as Energy Costs Transform Consumer Behavior [view article]
    Follow-on comment.

    I am a BBY sales associate, and I've seen people choose the less expensive alternative when faced with product choices. They're still buying, but not top line product.

    As far as food shopping, I've cut back on expensive cuts of meat, discretionary meals, and pack my lunch most of the time instead of buy it out. When I do eat out, it's for less than $5.

    But yesterday I saw a new restaurant that just opened near my office, selling grilled sandwiches (cheesesteaks, etc.). The cheapest item on the menu was $5.69 for a small sandwich. With a drink, that's an $8 meal.

    There's a TacoBell in the same shopping center (where CompUSA used to be before it closed). The TacoBell had lines. The sandwich shop had three customers, two of whom looked like the owners.

    I give them 6 months.     Reply
  • commenter
    billddrummer
    Aug 20 03:38 PM
    Inflation a Huge Drag as Energy Costs Transform Consumer Behavior [view article]
    I'm curious--you mentioned BBY losing market share. In what? Reply
  • commenter
    fatcat
    Aug 20 01:51 PM
    Inflation a Huge Drag as Energy Costs Transform Consumer Behavior [view article]
    I went to Foodlion here in N.C. yesterday and the Ramen noodle section was almost empty...tells me something. Reply
  • commenter
    AlexS
    Aug 20 11:35 AM
    My Website
    Inflation a Huge Drag as Energy Costs Transform Consumer Behavior [view article]
    Unfortunate that Congress hasn't thought of lowering taxes, or planning to keep the Bush tax cuts around longer than their expiration. Cutting taxes is a standard fiscal method of offsetting the kind of downturn we will have when consumers reign in spending, as in this article. Reply
  • commenter
    buyitcheap
    Aug 20 11:10 AM
    Inflation a Huge Drag as Energy Costs Transform Consumer Behavior [view article]
    Interesting - I also have done a substantial number of the things mentioned: netflix, storage, gym memberships, interesting to see where people are redirecting their spending. Reply
  • commenter
    User 245876
    Aug 19 11:05 PM
    Where Starbucks Went Wrong [view article]
    Bravo !!! Finally someone says it, as a former Starbucks loyalist - I too have moved on in search of that perfect shot in the morning.

    In addition to these super automated machines, there is ZERO consistency both within and between the different stores, they have forgotten there is a difference between cappucinnos and latte's - one is just milk foam and one is milk + foam, they have started over roasting their beans and all in all the experience is like drinking diluted dishwater. And worst of all the bathrooms reek - cardinal rule for QSR, clean bathrooms.

    As a dissapointed shareholder - I hope Shultz wakes up and brings it back it the old days where it wasn't a commodity but the bright spot in my day     Reply
  • commenter
    nolatte4me
    Aug 19 09:20 PM
    Where Starbucks Went Wrong [view article]
    I enjoy Starbucks, sometimes. I used to go to Dunkin Donuts almost ever morning as Starbucks was not as popular and not available on every corner as it now is. I found myself spending 40-60 dollars per month. Then, I started making coffee at home. Starbucks problem is not just what you ahveall mentioned but, greed. Their pricing was high and they were successful. Other companies want a piece of that success. More competition equals a smaller slice of the pie for Starbucks. And, a faltering economy tightens everyones belts. Think about how many people don't even go to work anymore so, no stopping at a Starbucks. Nope, what Starbucks needs to do is what Subway and Quiznos are doing, lower prices ,give quality and advertise those facts. People are quick to forget and forgive when they save a buck! Reply
  • commenter
    Former Sbux
    supporter
    Aug 18 11:55 PM
    Where Starbucks Went Wrong [view article]
    In addition to selling a commodity, senior leadership started treating employees as a commodity to be used and discarded. Product and environment can be replicated leaving employees as the only point of differentiation. Sbux recent layoffs were not made with who takes care of the customer the best but who made the most money. Those that had the employees best interest at heart knowing that would lead to better service, were let go. How is that a way to run a business? Mark my words, the employee experience is going to continue to be marginalized over the coming months all in hopes of keeping the stock price from really tanking. It is a self-defeating strategy in the long run. Welcome to the world of fast food Mr. Schultz. Reply
  • commenter
    notsosmart
    Aug 18 03:06 PM
    My Website
    Where Starbucks Went Wrong [view article]
    there are actually areas of this world where people arising in the morning dont know where their next drink of water or morsel of food will be found.whats that got to do with anything? you ask. Reply
  • commenter
    swagv
    Aug 18 02:29 PM
    My Website
    Where Starbucks Went Wrong [view article]
    When Peet's Coffee & Tea, Starbucks' initial mentor, posted a 59% increase in Q2 profits three weeks ago, you knew that the Emperor was exposed for its nakedness.

    No: it's not high prices (Peet's charges about as much). It's not gas prices or food prices making people tighten their belts.

    Starbucks, it's YOU.     Reply
  • commenter
    Wompus9
    Aug 18 01:08 PM
    Where Starbucks Went Wrong [view article]
    I've been a barista at Starbucks for over two years and have been there through the changes mentioned. The expediter thing really threw me when it first started. I actually didn't realize it was a company thing until reading this and just thought my supervisors didn't understand customers. I would see marked cups piling up for drinks to be made while a queue began to form at the pick-up. I told my manager that I thought people would be much happier to wait to place their order than wait for the drink they had already paid for and he agreed. The "expediting" continued, however.

    What I've seen from Starbucks leadership is a bunch of unfortunately typical business school nonsense applied to a business model despite the obvious detrimental effects. Starbucks is a ship without a captain and without a rudder; the company is reacting to its competitors and has totally lost its edge.

    There are still many people who come to my store out of habit but to a person they lament the loss of the experience it used to be. There may be no going back.     Reply
  • commenter
    User 244979
    Aug 18 11:29 AM
    Where Starbucks Went Wrong [view article]
    I never had been a Starbucks regular, but bought the buzz about the wonderful coffee they sold. My first cup of regular, not a latte, etc., Starbucks coffee, was my last. It was very bitter and strong, couldn't add enough cream and sugar to taste good. I guess that is why they sell the specialty drinks, to cut the taste. Reply
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