David Biernbaum

BrainTrust Query: Lessons From the Starbucks Turnaround

February 3, 2010

FROM RETAILWIRE:
Who would have wanted to be in Starbucks' shoes a year ago? McDonald's had launched low priced alternatives, the economy had stalled and consumers were balking at spending $4 per drink.... Fast forward a year later. What do you think of My Starbucks Idea?      [more...]

Okay; first off, I have to offer full disclosure: I am a Starbucks addict and there is a Starbucks downstairs in my office building that I frequent two or three times every day, not to mention that the employees are like "family." In addition, I usually stay at hotels on the road that have Starbucks in the lobby and I hardly ever pass by a drive-through Starbucks without getting my "fix." And by the way, my clients also love Starbucks because they know how well Starbucks impacts the great quality of work I do for them at all hours of the day and night!

All that said, I might be the typical Starbucks consumer. You see, I did try McDonald's and other establishment's lattes but as a loyal--uh addicted--Starbucks consumer, I know that there is no real replacement!

Starbucks is a lot of things that other places simply are not: aroma, experience, personalization, clean, smart, consistent, and now even very convenient. The drive through stores are wonderful.

The Starbucks recovery is not surprising. Long live Starbucks. Long live my green paper cup. Long live my expensive Skinny Vanilla double shot Venti Latte!