Starbucks to cut up to 12,000 jobs, close 600 stores

[JWS]

Starbucks is NOT losing money. They just over expanded into questionable locations...like suburban shopping centers. The senior management responsible for that is gone. Plus there are lots of competitors nearby like Coffee Bean and Peets, even 7-11. After the reduction Starbucks will still have around 7,000 locations.

[Richard B]

Finally some good news. Close them all.

[bucklind17]

Originally Posted by JWS

Starbucks is NOT losing money. They just over expanded into questionable locations...like suburban shopping centers. The senior management responsible for that is gone. Plus there are lots of competitors nearby like Coffee Bean and Peets, even 7-11. After the reduction Starbucks will still have around 7,000 locations.

It's interesting, in the city, the only main competitors of Starbucks are Dunkin Donuts and now those are popping up EVERYWHERE. And we didn't have very many at all a few years ago.

I personally hate Starbucks actual coffee but I like their sweet drinks. I remember reading somewhere that they purposefully brew darker roasts because they are less appealing and they hope that customers will choose to order the more expensive drinks (lattes, fraps, etc.) instead of just getting a cup of coffee.

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by bucklind17

It's interesting, in the city, the only main competitors of Starbucks are Dunkin Donuts and now those are popping up EVERYWHERE. And we didn't have very many at all a few years ago.

I personally hate Starbucks actual coffee but I like their sweet drinks. I remember reading somewhere that they purposefully brew darker roasts because they are less appealing and they hope that customers will choose to order the more expensive drinks (lattes, fraps, etc.) instead of just getting a cup of coffee.

Interesting. Coming from a heavy coffee background, (former barista and coffee house manager here! ) I will say that I am not fond of Starbucks brewed coffee. But their other products are pretty decent.

I've never really understood the hatred for Starbucks. It's my understanding that they are a great company to work for (part time employees, as well as same sex employees, are given full medical benefits) and the owner/CEO is also a philanthropist. Starbucks may not be your cup of tea (HA!) but I believe they paved the way for some truly excellent independent (and franchised) coffee houses.

[MacMan]

I think I've been to a Starbucks maybe twice in my life and bought just a regular coffe.... Can't wrap my head around spending $5 or more for all these fancy coffee's and drinks To me it's a waste!

[estranged4life]

Sucks to be a resident in Seattle - StarBucks losing jobs and now they have lost the NBA SuperSonics.

[Chrislit18]

Instead of putting so many in the huge cities, why not trying to expand more out here in rural areas.
I mean, there are two DDs in a 5 minute driving range from my house, and two more not too far from them.

I would kill for a Starbucks out here!! [There is a nice building for sale right across the street from my house on a nice major road....I would LOVE if one went in there!!!]. But the thing is, so many people hate the prices. We think DD is expensive, and I'm sure Starbucks would be outrageous.

It is over-priced, but the cold mochachino thing is sooo good.
It's just a shame so many people will be loosing jobs...

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by bucklind17

I remember reading somewhere that they purposefully brew darker roasts because they are less appealing and they hope that customers will choose to order the more expensive drinks (lattes, fraps, etc.) instead of just getting a cup of coffee.

Wow. I didn't know that. I am not a fru-fru, fluff coffee drinker. I like coffee and I like it black. Starbucks coffee is really bad, it always tastes burned.

Give me Peet's, give me Ma & Pa coffee shop, give me a bag to home brew. Anything but Star****s.

[Macfanforever]

After all thease years i have not tried Starbucks coffee, I better check the one across town., Anyway The small town I live in, has about 7 Dunkin' Donuts here. including the ones in B.J's and Stop and Shop anyway Dunkin' Donuts are alway packed with customers to the gills.DD are probably stealing customers from Starbucks all these years for cheaper coffee.DD is like Home Depot to the Ma Pa Hardware store.

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by Macfanforever

After all thease years i have not tried Starbucks coffee, I better check the one across town., Anyway The small town I live in, has about 7 Dunkin' Donuts here. including the ones in B.J's and Stop and Shop anyway Dunkin' Donuts are alway packed with customers to the gills.DD are probably stealing customers from Starbucks all these years for cheaper coffee.DD is like Home Depot to the Ma Pa Hardware store.

Dunks has also been expanding outside of the NE so they may be stealing business there unexpecedly. I am heading out to Dunks in a moment. I prefer their coffee over the darker roast and more expensive Starbucks coffee.

[Brwn_eyes0511]

I also know that, although they still have their HEAR music record label which has such artists as James Taylor, Carly Simon and Joni Mitchell signed to it.. they fired most of the heads of the label recently..

Don't know whats going on with them..

[stevierocks87]

Its their own fault for opening so many damn stores. Just here in Atlanta, there is a shopping center where you can stand at the Starbucks in Barnes and Noble and look into the Starbucks in both Target and Kroger. There are also places here too where they are literally blocks away from each other, and malls that have upper level and lower level Starbucks, in addition to the one in Barnes and Noble.

Their coffee is terrible- overroasted, burnt, like motor oil. I have to dose it with half and half. To me, the measure of really good coffee is if I can drink it black, which these days just seems to be at places like Waffle House, IHOP, etc.- There coffee is the best when it is fresh. Even since McDonalds started serving "premium" coffee, it is much too dark and I prefer the older cheaper kind!

As far as being a good place to work for, I worked there for about 3 weeks and I will say comparatively it is good with the health options, etc. but the reason I stopped working there is because I got terribly sick with mono, with a 103 fever, and couldn't find someone to cover my shifts after getting on the Starbucks store directory and frantically calling local stores to see if someone could cover my shift. I understand most retail outlets work like this- find your own replacement if you are sick- but I really don't think that is right. I understand if you just want to skip out of work, but if you are really sick or have had some kind of emergency and the manager knows you to be an honest person, they should find someone for you Also, I was surprised at just how DIFFICULT a job it was, esp. at the location I was at, in the Macy's at Lenox (super posh mall in Atlanta- Buckhead). There was no seating except for a few tables outside, so almost all the customers were in a hurry to shop or get to work- very few "chill" folks. Treat those kids nicely and patiently everyone , they are workin' hard!

I will say that I agree with paradoxically they HAVE been largely responsible for the mass interest in coffee, coffeehouses, and coffeehouse culture, which has in fact paved the way for the explosion of independent coffee places. If someone chooses a Starbucks with an independent place nearby, that is not Starbucks fault

So def. not a black and white issue- those are some of my feelings on Starbucks.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by Richard B

Give me Peet's, give me Ma & Pa coffee shop, give me a bag to home brew. Anything but Star****s.

I like Whole Foods 365 for $9.99 a pound. There is also a brand they sell called Royal Abyssinian that is the smoothest coffee I've ever had ( I drink it with organic half and half, nothing else).

[BombaySapphire3]

I loathe Starbucks and could care less if they all close I usually drink Nob Hill trading co. coffee on sale for %5.99 a bag...better than Starbucks IMO.