Starbucks planning big annoucement on February 17, the suggestions box is open
Filed under: Bargains, Food, Shopping
A curious invite dropped into my inbox, to come meet Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz at an event in New York on February 17 for "a special announcement regarding innovation, competition and value." The invitation is not transferrable, so I'm going to hop on down there myself to find out what the big secret is all about, because the PR spokesperson would not elaborate when I asked for more details.
So what is coming next from Starbucks? They already have announced the value menu deals for breakfast sandwiches, souped up new coffee creations, given away goodies for election day and other special events and done everything possible to try to get customers in the door.
UPDATE: Could the new innovation be a soluble coffee product called "Via"? That's what AdAge is reporting. What exactly is a "soluble coffee product"? Think instant coffee granules.
If Schultz and his team are still sorting out what their next big idea is for saving the company, I've got a few suggestions.
For starters, Starbucks could start offering more programs for in-house services in their shops -- call it the Wal-Mart plan, where you can get everything under the sun done all day at your local Starbucks. You could tune up your resume with a career coach, have a therapy appointment, meet your investment counselor, have a date and so forth. And Starbucks could take a cut of each service provider for providing free wi-fi and coffee for them throughout the day.
What about you? Send in your grand plans for making over Starbucks and I'll compile them and pass them along to my contact!
So what is coming next from Starbucks? They already have announced the value menu deals for breakfast sandwiches, souped up new coffee creations, given away goodies for election day and other special events and done everything possible to try to get customers in the door.
UPDATE: Could the new innovation be a soluble coffee product called "Via"? That's what AdAge is reporting. What exactly is a "soluble coffee product"? Think instant coffee granules.
For starters, Starbucks could start offering more programs for in-house services in their shops -- call it the Wal-Mart plan, where you can get everything under the sun done all day at your local Starbucks. You could tune up your resume with a career coach, have a therapy appointment, meet your investment counselor, have a date and so forth. And Starbucks could take a cut of each service provider for providing free wi-fi and coffee for them throughout the day.
What about you? Send in your grand plans for making over Starbucks and I'll compile them and pass them along to my contact!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
2-11-2009 @ 3:43PM
kthblmfld said...
Free WiFi would be nice. It perplexes me that Starbucks hosts T-Mobile hotspot service while also requiring their users to make a purchase while using that service in their stores. It should be one or the other IMHO, either pay for the service, or purchase something while receiving the service for free (I always donate generous purchases and tips while using Tully's free wifi).
I worked for Starbucks for 6 years, but had to leave the company in order to fund my higher education. Starbucks does not offer financial support to their retail staff. A move like this would certainly not bolster immediate revenue, but it would improve their image amongst their target demographic. Considering how much the company claims to support community, I find it unacceptable that they barely support their own public-facing representatives. The stock investment incentive has been burning partners (and shareholding ex-partners such as myself) since 2006.
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2-11-2009 @ 3:51PM
kthblmfld said...
I should clarify: When I last checked, Starbucks did not offer any form of scholarship to their staff.
2-14-2009 @ 9:59AM
earl said...
it might help if they had a good cup of coffee to sell, not that bitter crap
2-11-2009 @ 4:07PM
Ken Ya said...
@kthblmfld-- SBux does (or has) offered tuition reimbursement for qualified coursework.
I'm guessing they will be unveiling the details of the spring promotion period (beginning in March) which may include a *NEW* and *IMPROVED* Frappuccino recipe. The drinks are currently made with a premixed base, combined with ice and other ingredients. The new recipe, which has been tested in parts of the country, is "made from scratch" with no premixed bases and includes options for completely sugar-free frappuccinos (both coffee and creme based) as well as soy-based ones (this was not an option up to now). This translates to zero waste as there is no premix to expire and enhanced customization options such as adjustments to the sweetness level and coffee strength.
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2-11-2009 @ 4:57PM
2slbt said...
Starbucks actually uses AT&T as their wifi supplier. It is a no-brainer that people want free wifi and can get it at other establishments...local coffee houses, coffee bean & tea leaf, peets, scooters, panera, paradise bakery, libraries, and even some McDonalds....etc.
This very issue show the stubbornness of the decision makers at Starbucks. People want it free and they don't want to have to jump through hoops to get it.
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2-12-2009 @ 10:02AM
ed said...
Yep...no charge WiFi and drop the cost of a cup of coffee.
Too many locations being subsidized by these high prices. On one street in Kennesaw, GA there are three Starbucks; a 4th about a mile away. By contrast: only 1 McDonalds!
They are over-saturated with locations...nutty-buddy business model !
2-11-2009 @ 6:20PM
AG said...
I think they will announce that they have... "secretly replaced the fine coffee they usually serve with Folgers Crystals."
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2-12-2009 @ 10:24PM
AG said...
Well I wasn't exactly right when I posted my comment yesterday but if you read the update I was realy close.
See the Advertising Age Magazine story;
http://adage.com/article?article_id=134582
2-14-2009 @ 11:35AM
Bobbie said...
That's too funny! I was just wondering why on earth anyone would want to buy an over-rated cup of coffee at Starbucks when there is Folgers....the best cup of coffee IMO. :) That would be funny if folks are spending boocoodles of money on something they could be spending much less on and enjoying it at home.
2-12-2009 @ 12:45AM
Dana Louise Schultz said...
Howard could close stores in too close to other Starbucks locations. However, start more truck mobile units…
This could help to cater to a larger demographic.
Keep adding kiosk locations to grocery stores. Offer a “Starbuck” currency as coupon discount especially in the newer locations. Market the bucks in large office building, libraries, fitness centers, music related stores.
Release more music available online/cd, from actual employees of Starbucks.
Create a teabag size coffee/decaff/espresso single size package with honeystick sized flavoring sample packets. Also, for the Tazo teas…
Merge corporately with a company such as Jamba Juice. This would increase sales by getting more health inclined and youth customers.
Consider selling packaged pre-ground units to hotels.
Offer incentives for signing up for a online newsletter, especially for people 40+ in-order to get programs in place to host community events. (eg) bike races, golf tournaments, ski/snowboarding, car shows. Partner with the leading (in country) manufactures for demo of newest products and services.
Obtain supplies such as milk from the closest possible suppliers. This will help show you are building the local economies and dairy farmers.
Try producing a youth in school program similar to Campbell’s soup labels for education.
Place a code on the sticker already on hot cups. Inside the schools have Starbuck’s cup collection bins, but have a recycling bin for aluminum in each bin. Creating revenue and earthly conscientious to school districts.
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2-16-2009 @ 8:02AM
ses said...
A very simple cure, drop the price so the average joe can afford a cup of joe.
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2-14-2009 @ 9:39AM
Pat Jones said...
Maybe they could start serving good coffee. The Pike's Roast they insist on serving almost exclusively in my area tastes like an ashtray. I have stopped going to Starbuck's for that reason. What happened to the first days when they served a variety of roasts?
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2-14-2009 @ 8:24AM
Debra said...
Starbucks IMHO has bever made an effort to support the local community, i.e. carrying local newspapers, working with neighborhood small businesses in a win-win fashion. I have approached the local Starbucks near me in Dupont Circle to no avail. I have a non-profit school and students need aplace to hang out afterwards, just asked for some incentive coupons, so now they go to Cosi!!
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2-14-2009 @ 8:42AM
Howard Sucks said...
Get rid of Howard Schultz, he is driving CharBucks right into the ground in short order.
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2-14-2009 @ 2:39PM
Pam said...
I think they should support the community more, choose a organization and contribute to it (soup kitchens, food bank, etc). Maybe even start with a percentage of one day's profit to a local concern.
Sell the sandwiches for 1/2 price after a certain hour, I have been in a Starbucks just before closing and watched the employee count and throw away food.
Have specials of the week - pumpkin bread (or whatever) for 20 or 30 cents less this week.
A career discount with (employee ID) teachers, nurse, students, etc get to purchase items at a percentage off (monthly)
Buy twelve cups get one free.
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2-14-2009 @ 9:30AM
Eric said...
Why should teachers, nurses, or students get a special discount on coffee? Maybe we should just GIVE them stuff. Maybe we should give Wall Street CEOs a discount too!
Or instead of targeting groups of people who think they're special, they could just reduce the price for everyone. But, no, teachers, nurses and students must work harder than the rest of us...
2-14-2009 @ 9:30AM
Mariah said...
The now have laws that if you cannot really donate food anymore.
Due to health reasons and the many lawsuits of people that venture into soup kitchens as you call them.
Claiming illness from the items they received for free.
As for forcing them into giving their money away to charities, they do donate.
To many different organizations.
If you were to force companies right now to give out the majority of their profits what you are going to see are many more places closing.
Then you will have that many more people out of work.
Giving back to your community is always a good thing but you cannot rest it on the shoulder's of a company alone.
They have a lot more overhead than someone that is paying their personal bills.
2-14-2009 @ 9:27AM
Terry said...
Everyone has posted all these ideas to get people in the door - free wi-fi, meetings with professional services, etc. How about bringing back the cushy chairs, turning on the fireplace, bring back the 'brain' games, making it more welcoming so you WANT to come in and stay and chat or work on your pc or read. If I'm going to sit in a hard, cold environment, I'm headed to the local Dunkin' Donut shop. Good coffee, good service.
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2-15-2009 @ 12:23PM
Toni said...
I soooo agree!The former starbucks were so personal and comfortable! Sometimes our local one is so loud and the chairs are uncomfortable.
2-14-2009 @ 9:37AM
kjb said...
I agree that the business model could use some restructuring. In my area, there are 3 stores within a five mile radius. I am a frequent flyer... and I am always treated well by the baristas who serve me daily. While in an ideal world we should all slow down to take a smell of the freshly ground beans, many don't allow themselves the luxury. Banks have moved into the mobile banking industry; how about Starbucks? While texting is probably not the safest while driving, what about mobile ordering? I do also think that more community involvement is important. If large community stakeholders like Starbucks don't support the local economy, how can it survive? (the business or the community?)
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