STORY OF THE WORLD'S COFFEE GIANT- STARBUCKS
- harshita sharma
- Jun 7, 2022
- 5 min read
Starbucks sells hot and cold coffee drinks, La Boulange baked products, and snacks (such as chips and wafers), as well as drinkware such as mugs and tumblers. Some items, such as the Pumpkin Spice Latte, are specific to the store's region. Additionally, there are a few "Starbucks Evenings" locations that serve beer, wine, and canapés.
THE MAKING OF STARBUCKS
The three friends, Jerry Baldwin, Gordon Bowker, and Zev Siegl, who came up with the first Starbucks business in Seattle's iconic Pike Place Market in 1971, were taught by Alfred Peet, who was responsible for bringing specialty coffee to the globe.
Starbucks' early focus was on supplying high-quality beans to consumers who were used to instant or canned coffee, but that changed when Howard Schultz, the company's professional head of marketing and sales, arrived. He traveled to Italy and devised the concept of converting coffee bean businesses into cafés. Starbucks' phenomenal success is solely due to this initiative. As a result, coffee evolved from a beverage to an experience worth paying for.
THE PHASE OF EXPANSION
Howard met with investors and paid 3.8 million dollars for Starbucks. By the age of 34, he had adopted an ambitious growth plan (With 1500 stores opening up per year, it expanded voraciously).
Howard Shultz stepped down as CEO and was reduced to the chairman.
During the Great Recession of 2007, customers stopped buying expensive coffees and resorted to their old habits of merely buying beans and equipment, and Starbucks' stock plunged by 42%.
In his book, Onward, Schultz writes, "The damage was slow and quiet, incremental, like a single loose thread unraveling a sweater inch by inch."
Howard was rehired as CEO of Starbucks. The stock jumped by 9% as a result of the announcement. He halted growth and focused on customer experience.
Because it became concentrated in a particular urban region, even though overall sales grew, individual same-store sales didn’t reflect it. Another problem was the excess sugar content, average Starbucks Frappuccinos contain 57 gms of sugar, which is double the daily recommended limit of sugar consumption.
The company is combating this by experimenting and creating lighter drinks like cold brews and fruity refreshers for calorie-conscious adults. He shuttered a thousand stores in the next years and laid off 6700 baristas. He reminded people of the Starbucks stores as an experience, not just a place to get a quick coffee, They brought back in-house grounding, and once again the cafes rose with fresh coffee aroma. He removed automatic espresso machines since they took away the romance of handcrafted personal coffees that customers enjoyed. Sales grew by 143% and Starbucks has had positive sales ever since.
As of yet, Starbucks’ biggest undertaking is its new lines of upscale stores- Starbucks’ reserve roasteries, these massive 20,000 square foot stores are designed to be a tourist destination. Starbucks baristas experiment with different brewing methods and craft new handmade beverages. They are ever so focused on recreating and reinventing the coffee experience, innovating with such a pace that makes it almost impossible for competitors to replicate.
STARBUCKS’ ENTRY INTO INDIA
Starbucks' decision to collaborate with India's TATA Global Beverages displays a commitment to maximizing various benefits.
Because India is traditionally a tea-drinking country, espresso businesses have focused on creating an environment where people can relax and spend time with one another. This configuration necessitates a greater initial investment. It differs from the United States, where espresso is enjoyed by the great majority. In the last decade, the Indian buyer base has grown as well.
The TATA Group is one of India's ethically conscious brands, which is also true of Starbucks India.
Its rival, CCD (Cafe Coffee Day), has launched a few premium locations based on the client profile of the region. It has also targeted non-store businesses such as takeout booths and confectionery shops. Regardless, Starbucks may be concerned that non-store layouts may tarnish its brand.
Starbucks took as long as it took to enter the market (6 years), realizing that India was a huge market that required careful planning. The outlets were designed to provide a unique, premium café experience.
Having Tata as a partner is extremely beneficial, not because of the legitimacy and strength it provides, but because it helps Starbucks coordinate its scale and stature.
The Tata group has a retail presence, as well as a great track record of pursuing new ventures.
Starbucks also has its own international community. Customers will not be unfamiliar with Starbucks because they have maintained its consistency in some areas. Tata Starbucks Pvt. Ltd. is aiming to make a strong impression in the Indian market, focusing on the rapidly spreading "espresso culture" among the twenty to thirty-year-olds and upwardly versatile customers, which was started by recent college grads, upwardly versatile customers, and people who travel and get brand.
COMPETITION
Quick-service eateries and specialized coffee shops are its major competitors. Whole bean coffees from Starbucks compete directly with specialty coffees available in supermarkets, specialty merchants, and an increasing number of specialty coffee shops. Former coffee addicts are now turning to energy drinks like Monster, Soda, and Red Bull for their caffeine fix. Starbucks just launched a 99-cent cup of coffee to fight with lower-cost competitors and a weakening economy.
One of the key reasons for Starbucks' success is its emphasis on quality and experience. Consumers have been prepared to pay a premium for what they perceive to be an elite lifestyle. Coffee is a price-sensitive product whose demand is influenced by its price. Starbucks may want to consider lowering its prices in order to boost demand. This will boost income and put them in a better position to compete with McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts. It also functions as a company's marketing tool. Starbucks became a key rival because the company's atmosphere was unlike any other and it was centered on the customer's advantage. The atmosphere is friendly, casual, and arguably more trendy than most people's living rooms, while yet being fast-paced if you want it to be.
WORK CULTURE AT STARBUCKS
The necessity of handcrafting each drink appears to outweigh the customer's out-the-door time. Most Starbucks locations have been updated to offer more ambient lighting, welcoming colors, sofas, quieter music, and more tables to encourage customers to remain and use the free Wi-Fi for school or business. Outside sitting spaces encourage guests to gather and enjoy one other's company in a warm ambiance, adding to the distinctiveness of the space. Employees are referred to be partners rather than workers or baristas in Starbucks outlets, which is important to the company's philosophy and culture. 'Beanstalk' stocks are available to them.
STATEMENT OF STARBUCK'S
Starbucks claims that its past, present, and future success is based on how they collaborate with one another, always keeping their goal and values in mind. They've been clear from the start that they're better together as partners, even if they don't work together at Starbucks, and that stance hasn't altered.
They must keep the fundamental focus, which is to connect consumers and foster community. Starbucks' success may be attributed in large part to its community-building efforts.
Coffee that inspires. It's not just coffee. It's Starbucks. Brewed for those who love Coffee.

-Harshita Sharma
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