Keurig at Home

Green Mountain Coffee Roaster’s Keurig Single Brew system is dominating the U.S. market with an overwhelming market share. Analysts expect sales of single-cup brewing systems to continue to grow in the U.S. and competitors are eyeing a piece of the pie. An analysis of Keurig’s current position, based on Michael E. Porters 5-Forces, highlights a number of key areas of opportunity and risk for the company. Handled correctly, the Keurig product line should continue its growth, however, a number of significant pitfalls threaten its dominance.

Starbucks uses price targeting to identify customers willing to pay more by charging different prices for products that cost essentially the same to produce. Starbucks’ menu has products ranging from $2.20 to $3.40. This price difference stems not from a $1.20 difference in production cost, but rather a subtle way of encouraging customers to signal their willingness or ability to pay higher prices, and therefore allow Starbucks to increase its profits.

The specialty coffee industry had seen steady growth for years and the trend was expected to continue until at least 2015. Of the various segments within the specialty coffee industry, most of the growth was attributable to beverage retailers “Coffee and kiosks”. In 1979 there were approximately 250 specialty coffee retailers. The number quadrupled by 1989 to approx 1000 outlets, and it exploded to roughly 15000 by 2002. Nationally, specialty coffee sales totaled over $ 10 billion in 2005.

A recent primary research survey has found that 70% of occasional coffee drinkers view the Mr. Coffee brand as an inferior or budget coffee brewing device that does not make a superior cup of coffee (Appendix, Opinion survey). Brands such as Keurig, Cuisinart, and DeLonghi inspire more thoughts of quality coffee than Mr. Coffee. Other consumers are opting to spend several dollars per cup of coffee at coffee houses such as Starbucks, Caribou Coffee, Dunkin Donuts, and even McDonalds (Appendix, Opinion survey).

As a shopping product, we can expect considerable planning time involved – as it could be considered a “big ticket item” when compared to the everyday coffee brewer, however with price being part of the marketing mix, we plan to price it competitively with its sister-like products, taking in its additional conveniences and manufacturing costs into pricing and revenue management. Introductory cost projections are in the $220-$250 range. With our image already defined in the small electronics industry, we plan to market heavily on the already in-place reputation.

The purpose of this research paper is to analyze Sam Adams and the global craft beer market. I will apply microeconomic models to analyze the supply and demand conditions for Sam Adams, its price elasticity of demand for products, cost of production and the overall market. There will be recommendations to maximize future profits and sustain success for Sam Adams. In this paper I will also analyze the craft beer industry and recommend actions for better management of supply and demand, improving the cost of production and the different barriers of entry that Sam Adams can utilize to impact its future in the craft beer industry. Applying the concepts of variable and fixed costs, I will make recommendations for its output decisions and profitability that will help them succeed in a monopolistically competitive market structure. In the conclusion of this paper I will make recommendations to manage future production and sustain its success, as well as evaluate the business structure and effective decision-making strategies. The craft beer industry is a monopolistic competition because it has the ability to allow many firms to produce similar good or services, but it at the same time allows each firm to make independent production decisions and differentiate their product from the competition by creating its own pricing.

When it comes to price, I do agree you get what you pay for, but I do feel it should not cost you an arm, and a leg for a single cup of coffee. Regardless where you get your coffee from your going to have to pay for it, some places are just priced more then others With that being said let's discuss, Dunkin’ Donuts extra large coffee before tax sits at $2.09 per cup, and their large ice coffee at $2.79. Starbucks large coffee before tax starts at $2.45 per cup, and their large ice coffee at $2.95. Although, Starbucks prices may not seem to be to much higher, if you are like me, drinking these coffees every day, and are not made of money, that change difference can definitely add up.

Although the company is known for their coffee, they also drive a great portion of their revenue from baked good sales, which differs greatly from the Keurig Green Mountain strategy. Dunkin does compete against Dunkin intensely in the New England market, as both companies were founded and based in the area.

The Keurig coffee brewer is the leader in the retail market for single serves coffee brewers but it can do better. Keurig has been slowly losing some of its share of the retail market in recent years. In 2011 Keurig controlled 54 percent of the market which is down from its 2010 number of 60 percent and 2009 number of 63 percent (Geller). Keurig needs to take its product and it has to offer and enter into new markets and segments. It mainly needs to focus on the younger and lower income level of its

They have focused on building brand recognition and profitability by growing the business gaining assets to grow the company and products for greater customer satisfaction (About GMCR, 2004-2009). GMCR’s strategy to incorporate current large brands, such as Tully’s, Diedrich, and Keurig has helped to expand their customer base and satisfaction as well as the markets for their products (Phillips, 2011). Their focus on increasing their market shares in other companies will facilitate their expansion into new geographical markets and promote the brand. GMCR’s partnership with Keurig creates a larger consumer choice and the addition of agreements to create portion packs for the Keurig with companies such as Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and Newman’s Own helps set them apart from the competition (Invest in the Markets, 2011).

There are many sellers in the market heating up pricing competition. Competitors like McDonald’s, Dunkin Donuts, Peet’s Coffee and other specialty coffee companies incentivize price wars. Furthermore, coffee’s demand is elastic which makes it difficult to increase prices without greatly reducing the demand. This makes differentiation and positioning very important. Also, it is easy for customers to switch from coffee vendors. Whichever company is most convenient for the customer will likely win the business. Competition is a top priority in the industry.

The system allows consumers to buy a variety of coffee and make a cup of coffee that has the quality like the one you would buy in a gourmet coffee house for upwards of $3 to $5. Based on the surveys and focus groups that had been conducted people were looking for convenience, minimal clean-up, and great taste. Keurig made its decision to promote the system based on those factors and with units succeeding in local businesses now was the time to strike, while the “iron is hot”, a large percentage of survey takers said they would gladly buy the units that were proposed based on the information they were given.

Statistics show that over half of the American population consumes coffee on a daily basis. You may drink coffee hot, cold, mixed, or even in a frappuccino. Individuals are able to make coffee at home, or buy it on the go. Coffee provides people with caffeine, which ultimately gives energy for hardworking people all around the world. The main focus for this paper will cover the following topics, with coffee as the basis: causes for shifts in supply and demand, how coffee supply and demand influence price, quantity,

As for other beverages, they should be in the same or lower price range compared to the specialty coffee.)

Nothing like the fresh scent of brewed coffee in the morning – “Starbucks” a well-known coffee house that is still growing and expanding their operations today is considered the number one specialty coffee retailer around the world and abroad. Therefore, the supply and demand for coffee is on the incline and is regarded as one of the most rapid growing organizations in the world. According to the National Coffee Association, adults between the ages of 18 and 39 are more likely to purchase coffee out-of-home, then older consumers (2016). Even coffee statistics conducted in 2016 indicates “50% of the population, equivalent to 150 million Americans, drink espresso, cappuccino, latte, iced/cold coffee” (E-Imports, 2016). Other statistics numbers show that an estimated of total Americans consuming coffee would be up by 1.5% and specialty coffee up from 20% in this year alone. Even the global consumption will increase by 12% over the next years. Therefore, a key question is how will the “law of demand” predict how the consumers will behave (Lorenzetti, 2016)? Namely, will the higher demand for coffee beans impact what the consumer at Starbucks will pay for a cup of coffee? Therefore, companies such as Starbucks should analyze and understand the microeconomic model to get a clear picture of the price elasticity, cost to produce, and the overall market to make the most effective business decisions and recommendations that will have an