Comments on: The New Coffee Wars: Who will prevail?

By: Branda | Trade Marks

Branda | Trade Marks — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:44:31 +0000

For us here in S Africa, we don’t have coffee brands like there but I think that Star bucks would win hands down here.

By: Comparitive advertising: Love it or hate it? | The Responsible Marketing Blog

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:53:12 +0000

[...] Lite v. Bud Light, Whopper v. Big Mac, Campbells v. Progresso and Dunkin’ Donuts (or McDonalds) v. Starbucks all immediately come to [...]

By: Beth Bean

Beth Bean — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:01:15 +0000

I totally agree with Rob, its so much the coffee that I go to Starbucks for its the setting and the locations of them, the coffee isnt bad but you can get better.

By: SumatraLover

SumatraLover — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:36:18 +0000

If Starbucks continues to brew only Pike Place Roast, they will lose. PPR is clearly an attempt to compete with the blander coffees that McDonalds and Dunkin make. The coffee lovers who are the Starbucks loyalists buy Starbucks because no one else makes a cup of coffee like it. If Starbucks sticks with its “only PPR” campaign, it will lose those people. In return, they will be fighting the marketing magicians with massive budgets (McD, Dunkin) in the coffee-is-caffeine market (plus, McD and Dunkin is faster, and they have lots of drive-ins).

My prediction: Starbucks will have a very short stock price boost from the hype, then will continue to fall. In 6 to 12 months, the CEO will have a huge press conference to say “now we are REALLY returning to our roots by giving our customers a choice of what they like to drink, PPR or something else.” As someone else said recently, PPR is like New Coke – only a return to Classic will save the company.

By: Teddy Bass

Teddy Bass — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:30:27 +0000

The media have been claiming some “great coffee war” scenario for two years now. This isn’t new at all. Just large conglomerates desperate for attention who want you to think that they’re in some kind of life-or-death struggle.

As we learned decades ago from Burger King and McDonald’s, so what? Especially when eventually someone like a Subway swoops by and steals both of their lunches while they’re busy posturing and whining.

By: Shel Horowitz

Shel Horowitz — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 10:54:08 +0000

As a supporter of local economies, I support local independent businesses when practical. For coffee, that’s easy. I have my choice from dozens of local joints, including some that serve only fair-trade organic.

Shel Horowitz
http://www.principledprofit.com

By: Alvalyn Lundgren

Alvalyn Lundgren — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:49:58 +0000

I am a purist and prefer a simple dark roast to the fru-fru menus at barista shops. I brew at home and use my geeky blue Thermos for on-the-go refills. It’s just more economical.

People give me Starbucks cards as gifts, and I’ll use them. Really, though, I’m a Peet’s fan. I prefer their brews and ambiance over Starbucks.

Even so, I think Starbucks will prevail because they’ve achieved the established position in the marketplace and will maintain it. Schultz appears to be making some wise moves to reaffirm existing loyalties and entice new customers. I don’t think either Dunkin or McDonalds appeals to the same customer base as Starbucks. I could see those two competing mostly against each other for position while Starbucks will remain out of reach. Starbucks has the atmosphere and the “culture” those two lack.

By: Rob Williams

Rob Williams — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:07:57 +0000

Starbucks. I dont’ like paying more for drip coffee, but I like the coffee a lot. It has a strong flavor and I know what I’m getting each time. But the thing is, I’d say 80% of the time I drink Starbucks is because I’m meeting someone or need my own break to read, etc. It’s a better atmosphere than my local McDs and DD.