Comments on: Starbucks: Good Move Or Poor Brand Management?

By: FreshNetworks Blog » Blog Archive » Product innovation and co-creation at MyStarbucksIdea

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:32:37 +0000

[...] Starbucks: Good Move Or Poor Brand Management? [...]

By: Michelle Sullivan

Michelle Sullivan — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:30:29 +0000

My impression? Those responsible for the brand didn’t come up with this. A young ‘barista’ did, trying to find a solution for a difficult situation. Good improvisation, poor execution.

By: Dave Fleet

Dave Fleet — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:44:48 +0000

Chris – that doesn’t improve my perception. Renovations don’t happen suddenly. I would have thought that they would have had time to prepare something a little more fitting with their brand.

By: Bob LeDrew

Bob LeDrew — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:50:44 +0000

If you want an experience, you should go HERE:

http://consumerist.com/5025306/coffee+shop-threatens-to-punch-customer-in-his-dick

I think that if they’re doing renos and this is the best you can do, then you say so, or you do it as a fundraiser or something. But if this is this Sbux’s idea for a more permanent thing, I call FAIL.

By: Chris Clarke

Chris Clarke — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:48:25 +0000

I walk by that Starbucks every morning, and noticed it yesterday. I thought it was some kind of special event, too. Then I noticed it this morning, took a closer look, and realized they’re renovating. Just something to consider…

And to anyone who thinks they’re getting an “experience” for a $5 coffee, I’d say you’re just getting overpriced coffee.

By: newmediaMike

newmediaMike — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:43:01 +0000

I used to think of Starbucks as a luxury brand, just as I used to think of Jaguar as a luxury brand. Now Jaguar to me is just another division of Ford that makes fancy overpriced cars. Starbucks is just a coffee chain that sells fancy overpriced coffee. There is no more unique user experience.

By: Dave Fleet

Dave Fleet — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:51:40 +0000

I walked past the store again this morning. Same scene. Looks like it wasn’t a special event.

By: Kerri Birtch

Kerri Birtch — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:17:03 +0000

Hmmm I may raise some eyebrows here, but I’m not sure it makes any difference. I don’t think Starbucks portray’s a luxury brand anymore. If that’s what they’re going for, they’ve haven’t been consistent in that message the past few years. By opening one on every corner (and in the basement at Ryerson?) they’ve lost some of the exclusivity that people used to associate with the name. So why not have a coffee cart out – but I agree it looks pretty sloppy. Regardless, to me it’s just over priced coffee.

I like Tim Hortons better anyway.

-Kerri

By: Brett Boyko

Brett Boyko — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:28:26 +0000

They’re making Tim Horton’s look elegant by comparison. One of the crucial factors for having a brand that works is “consistency.” Some how this doesn’t seem to gel with the ‘urban oasis motif’ that I’ve expected from SB. From this angle it looks more like an eviction.

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:22:36 +0000

I’m trying to reconcile that sight with the Starbucks Gold membership they gave me. When I pay almost $5 for a coffee, I want an experience.