Starbucks reports drop in customers...economic indicator

[Greg B]

So a top story in the news is that for the first time Starbucks has reported a drop in customers.

It's prices are up about a dime over last year but you have to admit, Starbucks is expensive.

You hit one major drink there a day and you're paying $4 . In a month that chalks up to $160 just for coffee or smoothie or whatever. making your own coffee and bringing it with you you can do for $20.

So if Americans can't afford it anymore what's that say? Gas is eating up Starbuck's money.

[msanchez]

news was saying they plan to only open 1600 new stores next year, they had to cut back from the 1700 new stores originally planned.

hard times indeed

[facialfreak]

The only indicator this is ... is that Americans are finally wising up that they can get much better bang for their buck at other coffee shops ....

I think it's about time Horny Tim's invaded the US of A

[Head Boy]

Is the drop just in the US, or is it worldwide?

[Krusty]

blah.. i've had a couple of Starbucks coffees in NZ and Melbourne but I gotta say they were pretty average.. I prefer to support smaller companies and just have theirs.. or thermos (travel mug) filled with my own brew.

Starbucks is so.. average. I don't know why ppl spend so much on it.

[Head Boy]

Originally Posted by Krusty

blah.. i've had a couple of Starbucks coffees in NZ and Melbourne but I gotta say they were pretty average.. I prefer to support smaller companies and just have theirs.. or thermos (travel mug) filled with my own brew.

Starbucks is so.. average. I don't know why ppl spend so much on it.

I guess people go there to be seen there, or for the company. Some of the worst coffee I've ever drunk was in the canteen at a private airfield. It was also possibly the most expensive, as you had to drag your plane out and fly off to the airfield. It was actually quite fun though, and people like Christopher Reeve used to drop in to be rude about other pilots landings.

[Varzi Network]

I mostly go to Dunken Donuts these days because Starbucks is a good distance from me. Prices are about the same and the problem for Starbucks is that Dunken Donuts is taking out some of its market. Mc Donalds also now offers WiFi so they lost a few of those who only went there because it was convenient.

I usually spend about $4 per day on coffee and to me that is not a whole lot of money for something i enjoy. Considering the value of the USD its about the same as paying $2 a few years ago. What people are are not understanding is that as our money becomes less valuable prices will increase even more. Minimum wage will stay the same and eventually we end up with more and more people who cannot afford the basic cost of living.

I do not believe Starbucks is all that worried about losing customers who would not pay for a superior cup of coffee. While some might not taste the difference i drink the stuff day and night. Some people prefer store brand cola for the price and others will only drink Coke which tastes better. Most consumer home coffee makers do not even heat the water enough to extract the full flavor. So even what most convenience stores offer will usually have more flavor then what you can make at home.

[Hentaikid]

I've only been in one twice, both times unimpressed by the experience.

[Greg B]

I only drink de-caf nowadays. I got spoiled growing up in NY where you could go to stores and get your raw coffee beans and teas right off the docs. Nothing like fresh ground. So I can tell the difference tween the good stuff and the bad stuff.

I like the cremes and some of the pastry/cakes they have. Blueberry oat bar rocks. They used to have a chocolate cake here at Starbucks but it was so good the company that made them got bought up by some rich guys and people got upset.

As far as the economy goes because of this, Varzi again is right. I'm seeing some real horror stories emerge out here in California. I can just imagine what the heck is going on elsewhere in the country. I'm seeing people here in Hollywood no longer able to afford living here. People are grumpy alot as the cost of fuel, the debts from homeownership are really taking their toll. Experts say at least 2 years of subprime fallout and lowering home prices due. I say more because we're just seeing the tip of the effects of the lousy management, greed, irresponsibility, legislation nonsense that's gone on for over a decade.

I've had to do major overhauls of business and trade and am doing quite well. Statistics are up across the board and opportunities rising. I've got a good foundation in both adult and mainstream and in a few weeks I'll be back to normal and can devote most of my time to pumping iron and producing more books and artwork for market.

I'm even liquidating all unnecessary assets even 80% of my cherished toy collection because as much as I love the things if some shit happens I want to be able to be mobile and quick to get out of dodge and have liquid cash available. Also it will be wise to by gold and platinum. We're only a few disasters and instabilities in global security away from economic upheaval. Being in a secure place with fresh water, fresh produce and medical facilities is a wise decision.

[freechess]

Originally Posted by Greg B

So a top story in the news is that for the first time Starbucks has reported a drop in customers.

It's prices are up about a dime over last year but you have to admit, Starbucks is expensive.

You hit one major drink there a day and you're paying $4 . In a month that chalks up to $160 just for coffee or smoothie or whatever. making your own coffee and bringing it with you you can do for $20.

So if Americans can't afford it anymore what's that say? Gas is eating up Starbuck's money.

maybe people are just getting sick of starbuck's i ain't impressed with

them myself

[Dupont]

There's a lot of competition these days. Blenz seems to be the major competitor around these parts.

[facialfreak]

Originally Posted by Varzi Network

I mostly go to Dunken Donuts these days because Starbucks is a good distance from me. Prices are about the same and the problem for Starbucks is that Dunken Donuts is taking out some of its market. Mc Donalds also now offers WiFi so they lost a few of those who only went there because it was convenient.

I usually spend about $4 per day on coffee and to me that is not a whole lot of money for something i enjoy. Considering the value of the USD its about the same as paying $2 a few years ago. What people are are not understanding is that as our money becomes less valuable prices will increase even more. Minimum wage will stay the same and eventually we end up with more and more people who cannot afford the basic cost of living.

I do not believe Starbucks is all that worried about losing customers who would not pay for a superior cup of coffee. While some might not taste the difference i drink the stuff day and night. Some people prefer store brand cola for the price and others will only drink Coke which tastes better. Most consumer home coffee makers do not even heat the water enough to extract the full flavor. So even what most convenience stores offer will usually have more flavor then what you can make at home.

I dont know about south of the 49th, but here in Canuckistan, Mickey D's coffee has REALLY IMPROVED - AND I MEAN REALLY!! - in the past year or so ...

I am a coffee addict/connoisseur, and I have to admit that Ronald and Co. have really done something right with this new line of coffee ...

Never in a million years would you catch me in the drive-thru at Mickey D's getting my morning fix ... but now if the lineup is shorter than Timmy's you bet your ass I will!

[Wiggles]

i had star bucks last night, its considered a treat for us due to it being stupidly expensive for something that i consider 2nd to tim hortons

[facialfreak]

Originally Posted by Wiggles

i had star bucks last night, its considered a treat for us due to it being stupidly expensive for something that i consider 2nd to tim hortons

HEAR HEAR !!!!

Although I don't think I would even put them second ...

[Nicky]

Starbucks / Costa / Nero, they're all too damn expensive anyway and the coffee ain't that great. Can't see myself going in there day after day forcing that stuff down my throat! Nope.... the vending machine at work has much better coffee....

[tolik]

well. i does not think what coffee are indicator. i spending about $1.5 usd per small pack (50gr can) for 2-3 days. yes sure it been less then $1 per same pack but we have some local prices raise same as euro exchange rate raise. (about 15% up).

[BoneroftheWeek]

I get the flavored beans from Costco and grind them fresh each morning, and have converted my room mate from being a strict anti-coffee drinking person to being dependent like everyone else just because of the smell of the coffee in the morning.

[gecko]

Simply it just isn't worth the price.. as there are other shops around that sell for half the price and just as good.