Comments on: Additional Thoughts On Starbucks

by: Jeremy

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:56:18 +0000

Vitaly - Good analyis, it holds very true in China (been here for four years now).

You’d be amazed at how quickly Starbucks spreads in major Chinese cities. The first year I was in Shenzhen, there was a flagship store. One year later there were nine stores. Now there are probably about 20 plus.

And to many affluent Chinese people, Starbucks = the best coffee, the best brand, for better or worse.

I started getting in a bit ago, but not too long ago! It seems to be a good value at this level.

by: Tom L

Sun, 04 May 2008 02:32:24 +0000

This column is simple, elegant, and profound. Nice work.

by: Roman Y

Fri, 02 May 2008 13:18:42 +0000

Vitaliy,
You are right on the dot here. Starbucks has created a great brand. I also think that Starbucks is not necessarily the best coffee, I for example like Dunkin Donuts. But once again Starbucks is a brand and a STATUS!
Just an FYI: In terms of London, to be honest I notice that locals prefer Nero or Costa coffee, therefore Starbucks have been struggling a bit here.

by: Patrick

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:56:13 +0000

Great comments. Your Austrian reader is exactly right. Let me add as someone who lived in Prague for over a decade: SBUX will struggle in Central & Eastern Europe, too, not just in countries known for their coffee culture. The exceptions will be touristy areas, where a few stores may thrive.

Price is a huge factor. But more importantly, I think the concept of drinking a large cup of coffee out of a paper cup is just too foreign for Central Europeans, as well. It’s just not done. It’s like going to a posh dinner party in the US and having someone pour you wine from a plastic container into a paper cup.

Coffee is for socializing. Not for gulping down to stay awake as you run to your next meeting. SBUX will need to rethink its approach for most European countries (the UK is not a typical European country).

–JC