Starbucks: Trouble in Latte Land

[SB]

"The company responsible for the ubiquity of coffee shops finds itself
struggling with flagging growth, increased competition, and a declining
stock price..."

Business Week: http://easyurl.net/4e9

[John S.]

On Nov 17, 10:38 pm, SB

Post by SB
"The company responsible for the ubiquity of coffee shops finds itself
struggling with flagging growth, increased competition, and a declining
stock price..."
Business Week:http://easyurl.net/4e9

They are experiencing flagging growth because they are so big there
are few new markets to expand into. Not at all surprising for the
company that pretty much led the way to better coffee.

[hanknj1]

According to what I have read it was mainly MacDonalds' concentrated efforts
to cut into Starbucks market that was responsible for Starbucks' recent
financial woes. I know that MacDonalds and Dunkin Donuts have both decided
to go after Starbucks' clientel but I can't see how anyone buying coffee
from either MacDonalds or DD would ever give up being a Starbucks client.
But, then again, I never buy just coffee from Starbucks; it's usually an
espresso or cappuccino. I guess the majority of Starbucks' clients must be
"plain" coffee drinkers. Even considering that, I find MacDonalds "improved"
coffee to be barely drinkable and the new DD coffees to be swill. I choose
Starbucks only if I am on the road and can't brew my own coffee and would
only hit MacDonalds or DD if there was absolutely no alternative caffine
supply; I'd rather go to a 7/11.

Post by John S.
On Nov 17, 10:38 pm, SB

Post by SB
"The company responsible for the ubiquity of coffee shops finds itself
struggling with flagging growth, increased competition, and a declining
stock price..."
Business Week:http://easyurl.net/4e9

They are experiencing flagging growth because they are so big there
are few new markets to expand into. Not at all surprising for the
company that pretty much led the way to better coffee.

[Flasherly]

Post by hanknj1
According to what I have read it was mainly MacDonalds' concentrated efforts
to cut into Starbucks market that was responsible for Starbucks' recent
financial woes. I know that MacDonalds and Dunkin Donuts have both decided
to go after Starbucks' clientel but I can't see how anyone buying coffee
from either MacDonalds or DD would ever give up being a Starbucks client.
But, then again, I never buy just coffee from Starbucks; it's usually an
espresso or cappuccino. I guess the majority of Starbucks' clients must be
"plain" coffee drinkers. Even considering that, I find MacDonalds "improved"
coffee to be barely drinkable and the new DD coffees to be swill. I choose
Starbucks only if I am on the road and can't brew my own coffee and would
only hit MacDonalds or DD if there was absolutely no alternative caffine
supply; I'd rather go to a 7/11.

Recent recipient of the "1st Zine Award for Responsible Capitalism",
Chairman Starbucks Howard Schultz apparently celebrated with the new
acquisition of a $30M condo at 950 Fifth Ave., N.Y.C. -- replete in
Italian-Renaissance deco and across from Central Park nearby
Metropolitan Museum of Art -- with a decided upscale ambiance from
Brooklyn housing projects where he grew up. Although the company is
experiencing a 35% decline on shares since 2007, its largest ever
loss, prompting some analysts to project a shareholder takeover,
appearances aren't lacking. There is holiday help from the corporate
going out to needy families in Michigan, baskets of select coffees for
U.S. servicemen stationed overseas, as well as an upscale seasonal
goodwill advertising campaign, such an encounter with man and reindeer
on a ski lift to "pass the goodwill." There's also nationally
syndicated TeeVee, now no longer considered declasse and off bounds,
besides gala plans for a cross-cultural programme, Starbucks biggest,
of store openings across Britain in 2008. That should help offset
U.S. concerns. Starbucks really wants to become the Third-Place for
Americans. See, it's pretty simple: first, there's your work, second,
there's home, and third, well of course, there's Starbucks. We love
what we do. We don't want you for a customer. . .come be our special
friend.

[John S.]

Post by hanknj1
According to what I have read it was mainly MacDonalds' concentrated efforts
to cut into Starbucks market that was responsible for Starbucks' recent
financial woes.

Well, their woes are really a declining growth rate more than anything
else.

Post by hanknj1
I know that MacDonalds and Dunkin Donuts have both decided
to go after Starbucks' clientel but I can't see how anyone buying coffee
from either MacDonalds or DD would ever give up being a Starbucks client.

Actually it is thinking that one's are so much better that they are
above competing with riff-raff coffee purveyors like McDonalds and
Dunkin Donuts that will get Starbucks or the local espresso shop in
trouble quickly. Coffee is taken many times by impulse, and a
competitor moves in closer to where the customers are with a drink
that is a reasonable substitute then that's where the business will
go.

Post by hanknj1
But, then again, I never buy just coffee from Starbucks; it's usually an
espresso or cappuccino. I guess the majority of Starbucks' clients must be
"plain" coffee drinkers. Even considering that, I find MacDonalds "improved"
coffee to be barely drinkable and the new DD coffees to be swill.

There are appparently a lot of people who think otherwise. And those
people are the ones who will make or break a coffee business,
especially the bigger guys.

Post by hanknj1
Starbucks only if I am on the road and can't brew my own coffee and would
only hit MacDonalds or DD if there was absolutely no alternative caffine
supply; I'd rather go to a 7/11.

Post by John S.
On Nov 17, 10:38 pm, SB

Post by SB
"The company responsible for the ubiquity of coffee shops finds itself
struggling with flagging growth, increased competition, and a declining
stock price..."
Business Week:http://easyurl.net/4e9

They are experiencing flagging growth because they are so big there
are few new markets to expand into. Not at all surprising for the
company that pretty much led the way to better coffee.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

[631grant]

'''Not at all surprising for the company that pretty much led the way to
better coffee.''' !!!!!!
Have you ever tasted BETTER COFFEE, or do you just think paying $5-7 for a
cup of coffee makes you better than a McD patron? *$ coffee is the worst
crap ever made.

Post by John S.
On Nov 17, 10:38 pm, SB

Post by SB
"The company responsible for the ubiquity of coffee shops finds itself
struggling with flagging growth, increased competition, and a declining
stock price..."
Business Week:http://easyurl.net/4e9

They are experiencing flagging growth because they are so big there
are few new markets to expand into. Not at all surprising for the
company that pretty much led the way to better coffee.

[lockjaw]

Post by 631grant
'''Not at all surprising for the company that pretty much led the way to
better coffee.''' !!!!!!
Have you ever tasted BETTER COFFEE, or do you just think paying $5-7 for a
cup of coffee makes you better than a McD patron? *$ coffee is the worst
crap ever made.

Post by John S.
On Nov 17, 10:38 pm, SB

Post by SB
"The company responsible for the ubiquity of coffee shops finds itself
struggling with flagging growth, increased competition, and a declining
stock price..."
Business Week:http://easyurl.net/4e9

They are experiencing flagging growth because they are so big there
are few new markets to expand into. Not at all surprising for the
company that pretty much led the way to better coffee.

5 to 7 DOLLARS?? really!

No topic is MORE subject to vast exaggeration than Starbucks

LOL
LOL

dave

[631grant]

It depends on how much stuff you put in to hide the taste of the awful
coffee...............

Post by lockjaw

Post by 631grant
'''Not at all surprising for the company that pretty much led the way to
better coffee.''' !!!!!!
Have you ever tasted BETTER COFFEE, or do you just think paying $5-7 for a
cup of coffee makes you better than a McD patron? *$ coffee is the worst
crap ever made.

Post by John S.
On Nov 17, 10:38 pm, SB

Post by SB
"The company responsible for the ubiquity of coffee shops finds itself
struggling with flagging growth, increased competition, and a declining
stock price..."
Business Week:http://easyurl.net/4e9

They are experiencing flagging growth because they are so big there
are few new markets to expand into. Not at all surprising for the
company that pretty much led the way to better coffee.

5 to 7 DOLLARS?? really!
No topic is MORE subject to vast exaggeration than Starbucks
LOL
LOL
dave

[Anthony Ferrante]

On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 12:06:05 -0500, "631grant"

Post by 631grant
It depends on how much stuff you put in to hide the taste of the awful
coffee...............

Come on, be fair. It is really not that bad. It is better than a lot
of coffee that I have gotten in some restaurants. Yes, it is costly,
too costly really, and probably not as good as some specialty coffee
shops, but I have worse.

Anthony

[George M. Middius]

Post by Anthony Ferrante

Post by 631grant
It depends on how much stuff you put in to hide the taste of the awful
coffee...............

Come on, be fair. It is really not that bad. It is better than a lot
of coffee that I have gotten in some restaurants. Yes, it is costly,
too costly really, and probably not as good as some specialty coffee
shops, but I have worse.

Maybe he meant the Starbucks "experience" as a whole is awful. There's
good gestalt and bad gestalt, and then there's gestalt you don't put in
your coffee no matter what.

[Ken Blake]

On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:08:55 -0500, Anthony Ferrante

Post by Anthony Ferrante
On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 12:06:05 -0500, "631grant"

Post by 631grant
It depends on how much stuff you put in to hide the taste of the awful
coffee...............

Come on, be fair. It is really not that bad. It is better than a lot
of coffee that I have gotten in some restaurants. Yes, it is costly,
too costly really, and probably not as good as some specialty coffee
shops, but I have worse.

We all have different tastes, of course. But to my taste, yes, it *is*
that bad. I'll grant you that there may be places that are worse, but
to me Starbucks coffee is simply awful. It's not even a matter of
price or value. Even if it were free, I'd rather have no coffee than
Starbucks coffee.

[Johnbo]

IMO if you want a thick syrupy milk drink, go to *$ and you will probably be
happy. If it is coffee/espresso you want go some place else... almost any
place else!

Post by Ken Blake
On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:08:55 -0500, Anthony Ferrante

Post by Anthony Ferrante
On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 12:06:05 -0500, "631grant"

Post by 631grant
It depends on how much stuff you put in to hide the taste of the awful
coffee...............

Come on, be fair. It is really not that bad. It is better than a lot
of coffee that I have gotten in some restaurants. Yes, it is costly,
too costly really, and probably not as good as some specialty coffee
shops, but I have worse.

We all have different tastes, of course. But to my taste, yes, it *is*
that bad. I'll grant you that there may be places that are worse, but
to me Starbucks coffee is simply awful. It's not even a matter of
price or value. Even if it were free, I'd rather have no coffee than
Starbucks coffee.
--
Ken Blake
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

[631grant]

Yes, I was referring to the coffee and not the brew with all sorts of stuff
mixed in. My 'problem' is that I always have preferred my coffee black with
nothing to adulterate it. Even my espresso has to be black with nothing
more than a possible twist of lemon rind. Therefore, Starbucks IS awful to
my taste. I'm not a professional taster but enjoy good black coffee.

Post by Johnbo
IMO if you want a thick syrupy milk drink, go to *$ and you will probably
be happy. If it is coffee/espresso you want go some place else... almost
any place else!

Post by Ken Blake
On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:08:55 -0500, Anthony Ferrante

Post by Anthony Ferrante
On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 12:06:05 -0500, "631grant"

Post by 631grant
It depends on how much stuff you put in to hide the taste of the awful
coffee...............

Come on, be fair. It is really not that bad. It is better than a lot
of coffee that I have gotten in some restaurants. Yes, it is costly,
too costly really, and probably not as good as some specialty coffee
shops, but I have worse.

We all have different tastes, of course. But to my taste, yes, it *is*
that bad. I'll grant you that there may be places that are worse, but
to me Starbucks coffee is simply awful. It's not even a matter of
price or value. Even if it were free, I'd rather have no coffee than
Starbucks coffee.
--
Ken Blake
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

[Johnbo]

I agree right down to the twist of lemon rind!

Post by 631grant
Yes, I was referring to the coffee and not the brew with all sorts of
stuff mixed in. My 'problem' is that I always have preferred my coffee
black with nothing to adulterate it. Even my espresso has to be black
with nothing more than a possible twist of lemon rind. Therefore,
Starbucks IS awful to my taste. I'm not a professional taster but enjoy
good black coffee.

[Ken Blake]

On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 18:56:37 -0500, "631grant"

Post by 631grant
Yes, I was referring to the coffee and not the brew with all sorts of stuff
mixed in. My 'problem' is that I always have preferred my coffee black with
nothing to adulterate it.

Same here.

Post by 631grant
Even my espresso has to be black with nothing
more than a possible twist of lemon rind.

By the way, despite how often you see lemon peel in American "Italian"
restaurants, I've never seen this *anywhere* in Italy (and I've
traveled there extensively over the last 20-25 years).

Post by 631grant
Therefore, Starbucks IS awful to
my taste. I'm not a professional taster but enjoy good black coffee.

If Starbucks is awful to your taste, you clearly have excellent taste.

Post by 631grant

Post by Johnbo
IMO if you want a thick syrupy milk drink, go to *$ and you will probably
be happy. If it is coffee/espresso you want go some place else... almost
any place else!

Post by Ken Blake
On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:08:55 -0500, Anthony Ferrante

Post by Anthony Ferrante
On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 12:06:05 -0500, "631grant"

Post by 631grant
It depends on how much stuff you put in to hide the taste of the awful
coffee...............

Come on, be fair. It is really not that bad. It is better than a lot
of coffee that I have gotten in some restaurants. Yes, it is costly,
too costly really, and probably not as good as some specialty coffee
shops, but I have worse.

We all have different tastes, of course. But to my taste, yes, it *is*
that bad. I'll grant you that there may be places that are worse, but
to me Starbucks coffee is simply awful. It's not even a matter of
price or value. Even if it were free, I'd rather have no coffee than
Starbucks coffee.
--
Ken Blake
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

[631grant]

'> By the way, despite how often you see lemon peel in American "Italian"

Post by Ken Blake
restaurants, I've never seen this *anywhere* in Italy (and I've
traveled there extensively over the last 20-25 years).

I never been to Italy but I've been to France, Germany, and Luxembourg often
and the twist is used there a lot along with a big block of sugar or raw
sugar, which I don't use. I don't remember if they served it in England or
not. Usually, the Guinness or Bass got the nod over the espresso there!

[Anthony Ferrante]

On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 13:24:59 -0700, Ken Blake

Post by Ken Blake
We all have different tastes, of course. But to my taste, yes, it *is*
that bad. I'll grant you that there may be places that are worse, but
to me Starbucks coffee is simply awful. It's not even a matter of
price or value. Even if it were free, I'd rather have no coffee than
Starbucks coffee.

I certainly respect your opinion as well as others within this NG. No
doubt you and others here have had more experience with good and bad
coffee(s) than I have had.

One thing I do know. It was in this NG a year or two ago that someone
mentioned I should try and find a good roaster to buy beans from as I
was buying coffee off the store shelves in bean form (Folgers, Maxwell
House, etc). I did and have not turned back since (check out this link
and let me know what you know about this organization that voted this
roaster/cafe as one of the top in the country and it is within a short
drive of my home and I did not even know it existed:
http://www.groundsforthought.com/indexcafe.html ) In fact, I was
directed to this shop by someone in this NG. I have been buying from
them ever since.

When I open the bag, the beans shine, quite dark in appearance, the
smell is unreal and beautiful, and the taste...well, buddies come over
on a regular basis to have what they call, "a great cup of coffee..."

I pay about $7 per pound (which lasts me about a week). How many
coffee drinks could I get from Starbucks for the same money?

Thanks,
Anthony

[er]

Post by Ken Blake
We all have different tastes, of course. But to my taste, yes, it *is*
that bad. I'll grant you that there may be places that are worse, but
to me Starbucks coffee is simply awful. It's not even a matter of
price or value. Even if it were free, I'd rather have no coffee than
Starbucks coffee.
--
Ken Blake

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bingo!

I won't often turn down a cup of coffee ....unless I know it's *$.

Something about that char-broiled taste that can just ruin my day.

ds

[L Alpert]

Post by Anthony Ferrante
On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 12:06:05 -0500, "631grant"

Post by 631grant
It depends on how much stuff you put in to hide the taste of the awful
coffee...............

Come on, be fair. It is really not that bad. It is better than a lot
of coffee that I have gotten in some restaurants. Yes, it is costly,
too costly really, and probably not as good as some specialty coffee
shops, but I have worse.
Anthony

The best I've had

http://www.peets.com/

[E***@spamblock.panix.com]

Post by L Alpert
The best I've had
http://www.peets.com/

You need to get out more.

[lockjaw]

Post by L Alpert

Post by Anthony Ferrante
Anthony

The best I've had
http://www.peets.com/

NOT at any peets I've been to in the last 5 years

:(

[L Alpert]

Post by lockjaw

Post by L Alpert

Post by Anthony Ferrante
Anthony

The best I've had
http://www.peets.com/

NOT at any peets I've been to in the last 5 years
:(

I don't go to the storefronts, I get mine via mail order.

[B***@yahoo.com]

Post by L Alpert

Post by Anthony Ferrante
On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 12:06:05 -0500, "631grant"

Post by 631grant
It depends on how much stuff you put in to hide the taste of the awful
coffee...............

Come on, be fair. It is really not that bad. It is better than a lot
of coffee that I have gotten in some restaurants. Yes, it is costly,
too costly really, and probably not as good as some specialty coffee
shops, but I have worse.
Anthony

The best I've had
http://www.peets.com/

roasted just like Starbucks, owned by the founder of Starbucks, almost
a Starbucks.

[Brad]

<***@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:***@4ax.com...
: On Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:03:00 GMT, "L Alpert" <***@xxgmail.com>
: wrote:
:
: >
: >"Anthony Ferrante" <ferrante276-***@yahoo.com> wrote in message
: >news:***@4ax.com...
: >> On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 12:06:05 -0500, "631grant"
: >> <***@bellsouth.net> wrote:
: >>
: >>>It depends on how much stuff you put in to hide the taste of the awful
: >>>coffee...............
: >>
: >> Come on, be fair. It is really not that bad. It is better than a lot
: >> of coffee that I have gotten in some restaurants. Yes, it is costly,
: >> too costly really, and probably not as good as some specialty coffee
: >> shops, but I have worse.
: >>
: >> Anthony
: >>
: >
: >The best I've had
: >
: >http://www.peets.com/
: >
:
: roasted just like Starbucks, owned by the founder of Starbucks, almost
: a Starbucks.
:
: --
: bubba

I get the starbucks premium blend before starbucks ever lays eyes on it.
Roasted by experts for the sampling of the beans.

Tried to thank the exporter for it by offering a buck (male rabbit) as it
saved him having to remember to pick one up next time he was down, which btw
should be today. Won't be too many expat business men still standing
tonight, SCRUM, it's a union meeting. That'll confuse the yanks so I'll say
it involves jerseys and a ball, and not 15 layers of padding and a
motorcycle helmet.

OK so two of the owners of my company says it's floor sweepings (it is just
left over beans from the samplings) but it is mighty fine stuff.
The owners say this because they have 2 opposition exporting companies, I
drink theirs too, thanks Byrdie.
I have been using some "Pea beans" for the last week or so, different shape,
seems like the same good flavour, is there meant to be a difference.When you
see plain ziplock bags with roasted beans inside around here you usually
know Weipa has visited.