Editorial: Wait, how much for a latte?
Even high-flying Starbucks is suffering.
Chicago Tribune,
by
Staff
Original Article
Posted By: OhioNick,
5/1/2024 11:47:59 PM
The U.S. consumer is increasingly tapped out, and the effects are being felt in even the strongest, most resilient brands out there. Exhibit A is Starbucks.
The Seattle-based coffee chain, ubiquitous in the U.S. and increasingly a truly global franchise, on Wednesday laid one of the biggest eggs it ever has on Wall Street with a first-quarter earnings report that sent many investors running for the exits like their caramel frappuccinos were on fire. The stock closed down nearly 16% on more than eight times the average trading volume.
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Reply 1 - Posted by:
DVC 5/1/2024 11:55:24 PM (No. 1710285)
I once went into a Starbucks with friends on a road trip to hunting camp. I don't drink coffee, so I got a hot chocolate.
The packets of powdered Swiss Miss mixed with hot water are a better hot chocolate than that Starbucks crap, which cost something ridiculously high.
Never been back, probably never will.
8 people like this.
Reply 2 - Posted by:
texaspast 5/1/2024 11:58:25 PM (No. 1710287)
Starbuck's problem is two-fold: first, it's product is WAY over-priced, if what you want is just COFFEE, not just a coffee flavoring added to all the other carp you order. Second, the competition is beating them. In our little town we have three other new chain coffee drive-throughs which beat SB on price AND quality of product. Seriously, why would I, a coffee-with-sugar drinker, pay SB's price for burned coffee? My opinion for years has been that SB started off its life by buying burned coffee beans from legitimate coffee makers and convincing the stupid consumers that burned coffee was the really in thing!
6 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
jalo1951 5/2/2024 12:02:28 AM (No. 1710289)
I have never been to a Starbucks. I also don't have a smartphone and have never taken or been in a selfie. Yes, a dinosaur but I am capable of making a good cup of coffee and I can actually eat a meal out or stop at a stoplight without having to grab my phone and do whatever it is these people need to do. $10 cup of coffee, $20 McDonald's meal. No thanks.
10 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
Trigger2 5/2/2024 3:01:41 AM (No. 1710337)
Who cares? It was too expensive to begin with.
3 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
DiegoDude 5/2/2024 4:21:16 AM (No. 1710344)
We figured this out many years ago. Starbucks is bad coffee, camouflaged with a lot of crappy additives.
4 people like this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
chumley 5/2/2024 5:36:00 AM (No. 1710349)
I used to go there with a friend who liked it. I thought the coffee was pretty good, though not worth what they were charging (and then expecting a tip). Spending time with my friend made all the man buns, pierced faces and tattoos a little more tolerable. I would not go on my own.
5 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
mifla 5/2/2024 6:08:32 AM (No. 1710366)
Starbucks started out as successful for whatever reasons, but like all businesses, they can't rest on their laurels and have to keep up with the competition.
4 people like this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
SweetPea3 5/2/2024 6:08:53 AM (No. 1710367)
Years ago, while flying cross country to visit family, I was laying over,awaiting my connecting flight. Killing time, I was walking around the concourse and decided to get a coffee. The only place available was a Starbucks. Never having been to one, I joined the line in front and frankly was curious to see what all the hubbub was about their coffee. Shocked at their price, I ordered a small regular coffee, light n sweet. I took one sip, spit it back in the cup, and tossed the whole bitter brew in the nearest trash bin. An expensive lesson learned.
6 people like this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
Strike3 5/2/2024 8:01:18 AM (No. 1710446)
Getting coffee at Starbucks is like shopping for an apple at Whole Foods. You try to tell yourself that what you overpaid was worth it but your taste buds tell you that you just got screwed but you felt like a cool dude holding that fancy cup for a little while.
0 people like this.
Reply 10 - Posted by:
privateer 5/2/2024 10:34:48 AM (No. 1710571)
If you're selling bilge water, be sure to add some molasses.
0 people like this.
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