Starbucks

Reschsmooth

I have had a charbucks once - but as I said today, you can only know you have had the best when you have had the worst (and McCafe is in a totally different (and worse) ballpark) P ;D

admin

In reference to Lars' post on the subject (see Aroma thread under 'Trade page') I checked out the issue of Hospitality he refers to, and Mr Schirato has something else to say: 'our cafe culture, originally built on a strong Italian heritage, is under threat from the likes of US-based Starbucks' - do we think this is a serious concern, or is it simply a case of the old fox 'crying wolf'? Admin.

FreshCoffee2

It's a serious concern for Les because the more retail clients go to these American Johnny Come Latelies (thank you G for this great descriptive phrase), the less go to regular cafes where his brand might be. Then of course that also makes it a concern for the rest of us that also roast / sell coffee beans. Then again, how is it that the paying public think that a chain store cafe can be such a good thing...is it the old "lifestyle" thing rearing it's ugly head again...such as is given a thorough reaming in the starschmucks cartoon? Are people that gullible? Honestly, a star somethingorother chain cafe is just another cafe in a line of cafes and if retailers (rather than roasters) are worried by their competition, then it's simply up to the cafes to present themselves in a way to be able to compete well within that line of cafes, no? It so happens I dont think that they are all that big a threat as they only "specialise" in coffee...reguler "cafes" do food, and I know where I go if I want something to eat followed maybe by a cup of coffee...it is rare that I would go out for a coffee only...

Reschsmooth

There was an article in the weekend AFR about Starbucks and whether or not their venture into Australia had failed. Obviously, the MD of *$ Australia denied that the model didn't work here and defended the failed attempt at a relationship with Borders (which in itself is to bookshops what *$ is to coffee shops), etc. They still have very strong growth plans in Australia, but focusing more on suburbia rather than the CBDs. P

admin

so, a second-rate, suburban, shopping-mall kind of setup?... not exactly the image the US head office would be happy with, I would have thought! Sounds like a bit of a come-down for the mighty Starbucks - has to make you wonder why they would bother. -A

askthecoffeeguy

As far as I know, coffee consumption in an area where Star****s is located actually dramatically increases, and not just for Star****s alone, but for local custom in the area. I went to Star**** once years ago, in New Zealand, before they hit our shores (I believe) and couldn't see what all the fuss is about. Have been to Gloria Jeans a couple of times though (though NEVER again), and the coffee has been UNIVERSALLY BAD!!! Why is this? It's not just that the coffee's were badly made by pimply youths who I wouldn't let scratch my butt, but (no pun intended), the underlying cofee flavour (if that is what it can be said to be) tasted like REALLY poor quality coffee ingredients. I assume its the same for Star****s, but then, you gotta hand it to anybody who can charge top dollar for inferior quality, and still get away with it. Me, if I make one cofee during the day that I think is less than 100 per cent, I can't sleep at night. How do those guys get away with it? ACG

admin

Hi guys - a bit of a wet old Easter weekend here in Sydney... was thinking about Starbucks and why they haven't done very well in this country [see earlier posts on this thread]. Could it be that in spite of the comments about bad coffee [mine included] that we often encounter in cafes, the main reason that Starbucks is pretty much stuffed in Australia is that we have such a vibrant, and on the whole, pretty good, espresso culture here? Or is it just that their product is so inferior? -A

Lovey

There's so many other great cultures that have an influence on us here in Australia, maybe we're sick of having everything American rammed down our throats and told that its great. Starbies may well have been the last straw. It comes from a long line of culinary 'delights' that have been served up from the USA, like macca's, burger king, KFC, pizza hut, coke, pepsi, etc. Its just another mass produced, soul less, taste less product

Ross_Quail

here's my take on the starbucks thing; Coffee in the us grew in direct competition with the soft drink market, the concept of bigger sizes, variety of flavours and everything else was shaped in no small part by the competition it faced on its home soil. It is not at all uncommon for people on holidays in a foreign country to go to a starbucks because there simply is nothing else, or nothing else recognisable. It's a last resort, we know it's going to be a let down but we needed the damm coffee ! So based on this rough hypothesis, is it any wonder as to why starbucks are under performing here ? We already have a thriving coffee culture and it will be quite obvious that they will move out of the city areas and into the suburbs, but that is still good ! More people will start drinking coffee out there, it will allow more cafes to compete and the cycle will continue. I say thankyou starbucks for being the carpet that the rest of us can walk over, at the end of the day the consumer will rule and bad coffee is just bad coffee. Let's drink to it !

nico123

there is a fantastic cafe chain out there that I believe is australian owned and operated and exisits in both australia and NZ called bb's cafe. It has the best food and coffee and is reasonably priced.