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Starbucks intended competition = coopetition?

January 3, 2008 · Filed Under Coffee, Coffee Industry, Community, Controversy, Culture, Espresso, Industry Insight, Retailers, Texas Retailers · Comment

SLATE presents,
Don’t Fear Starbucks
Why the franchise actually helps mom and pop coffeehouses. (click)

It appears that having Starbucks move down the road from your coffee retailer may not be such a bad thing afterall.

I’ve been saying for a long time that Starbucks has done more good by “enlarging the pie” than they have harm by misleading customers with drink titles. For many people, Starbucks is their first experience with Specialty Coffee. Starbucks is common enough to not seem overly intimidating for the average consumer, but is socially elevated enough to give the impression of being something above average.

With their marketing success, and exponential growth rate, having a new store moving in near your retailer can be a scary thought. This article gives a brief insight as to why it may not be such a scary thing.

I do, however, feel that it is important to point out that the focus is on quality, and only quality.

Perhaps the Barista Guild of America is right. “Quality as the primary means of success.”

SLATE: Why Starbucks actually helps mom and pop coffeehouses by Taylor Clark