Mike Spencer

Chinese Discontent Only Minor Setback in Starbucks Growth Potential

I'm living in Hong Kong and frequently travel to Guandzhou, Shenzhen, etc. and I can tell you that the main problem Starbucks is facing here in Southern China is that there isn't enough places to sit. I constantly see Chinese customers enter stores and leave immediatly because they cannot find a place. Anyone in America couldn't believe such a thing as there are SO MANY Starbucks there.

But I have to say that Starbucks Management is failing miserably to capture this huge opportunity to offer a great experience to brand new customers in China. The experience here is in fact totally unpleasant and I can feel that many Chinese people are not willing to stick to the brand as a result.

Starbucks should definitey consider firing some of the Senior Management crew responsible for the Chinese market.

Why I Disagree With Bernanke

www.bloomberg.com/apps...;sid=aCwXROmfzckg&...

Why I Disagree With Bernanke

Living currently in China, I can easily see what is one of the biggest inflation threat to the market growth in the US is the fact that labor costs are increasing at an unprecendent pace here in Asia. Import goods, and higher currencies (RMB) should have a MAJOR impact within less than 6 months on the inflation level and the economy as a whole.

Get out of the market now. The Fed won't be able to hide the true inflation numbers any longer.