This is interesting, and I personally suspect that part of the reason for the "demise" of Starbucks Aust is not so much due to the better alternatives available, but more due to the jingoistic, anti-American view that has developed over the last decade or so. Macdonalds, Kentucky, etc, have been here for so long that the consumer experience is largely ingrained. Starbucks, however, landed here in the last 5-10 years (I think), at a time when we really started to develop this anti-American vibe - when Vegemite, Arnotts, etc were sold off to US interests. In addition, when Americans joke about the proliferation of Starbucks stores (remember that Simpsons episode?), the environment was ripe for Australians to turn their backs on Starbucks. The quality of their product didn't help. I would still argue that the average punter is not surrounded by quality, local, small business alternatives, and, further, the local punter wouldn't have a clue.
