Market Analysis : Overnight Coffee Challenge Analysis Essay

Topic: An examination into the rise and fall of Starbucks Coffee Company and its relationship to certain microeconomic principles.

This marketing plan will show that the solution to Mr. Coffee’s problem is show that the features and technological improvements, specifically the Wi-Fi option, thermal carafe, and optimal brew temperature feature create a good value and great cup of coffee. The plan will rely heavily on channel and image differentiation. This device will be easier to get than pricey Italian entries and the Mr. Coffee brand will be shown to reestablish brand affinity by keying into pop culture references.

* Establish a positive image with the local university to create additional long term clientele.

Starbucks is known for their Frappuccino’s; unfortunately they are on a downward spiral in sales due to competitors such as McDonalds. In 2008 Starbucks admits to its losses due to their competitors. “Company executives now freely admit that such thinking is largely to blame for the woes that led to Tuesday’s announcement that Starbucks will close 600 U.S. stores and eliminate thousands of jobs. The coffee giant’s missteps have come at a spectacularly bad time, hitting as the economic slump deepens and consumers are seeing their discretionary spending eaten up by rising gas prices and grocery bills (Linn).”

In the UK, the three leading competitive coffee brands are Costa Coffee (with 1,992 outlets), Starbucks Coffee Company (with 849 outlets) and Caffè Nero (with 620 outlets). They enjoy a 3-firm concentration of 53%; (Market concentration measures the market share of the largest companies in an industry)

Genuine Thermos Brand has been satisfying their customers for more than 110 years across America with their vacuum insulating products. The company stood the test of time in their brand because the quality of their products paled in comparison with their competitors. Their double sealed, no-air coffee tumbler set them apart from other companies in a product that sold itself. As American’s love for coffee grew, so did the demand for hot coffee for the busy, on-the-go drinkers. Despite their well-known brand name, competitors were quickly gaining traction. Their plan was simple: to reinforce their timeless brand name with their unbeatable products that out-shined the competitors. Enlisting in the aid of

Coffee drinkers all have one thing in common; they want their coffee made to their specification. Most soft drinks, milkshakes, and draft beer are ready made. Coffee has many flavors and that can be an operational nightmare. Starbucks has 10 different types of coffee beans, 12 blends of flavors and loads of special toppings.

In this assignment, a savvy financial analyst researching companies in which to invest a U.S. publically-traded company that would be a good investment was chosen. After a lengthy search, a company that my family is unduly familiar with, Starbucks, was chosen and in the following pages a financial analysis will be described.

Imaging if there was no more coffee in this world, how would you feel? Nowadays, coffee becomes an important part of people’s life. People who often work overtime, they drink coffee because caffeine can make you awake; people who have to wake up early in the morning, they drink coffee because instead of making breakfast, coffee is more convenient; people drink coffee during the free time, because it also tastes good.

Keurig Inc has been founded on an amazing idea that coffee making systems that uses individual portion packs of freshly roasted and ground coffee with unique coffee maker designed to brew perfect cup of coffee at a time. At that time there are already established gourmet coffee houses like Starbucks, which is making coffee consumers to spend more money with an average of $ 1.50 or more for a cup of gourmet coffee. This change is consumer behavior created opportunity to Keurig to offer gourmet coffees by a single-cup in offices in 1998. Within a span of four years (1996-2000), Keurig have noticed sales increased by 40% in US at home coffee market. With these facts Keurig´s management got convinced, to develop an at home one-cup coffee brewer especially for gourmet coffee lovers.

Market speculation would also drive the price of coffee up or down. For instance a study issued by the Harvard medical school in August 2004 states that “coffee consumed in moderation is safe and offers health benefits such as lowering the risk of gallstones and type two diabetes, and reduced cancer risk for women.” This speculation because of the health benefits publish may drive the market price of coffee.

Starbucks is undoubtedly an international brand. The history of coffee traces back to Ethiopia, Africa, India, Arabia, and Europe, and has been traded abroad since the 11th century. Understanding the demand and widespread market for coffee, Starbucks has triumphantly capitalized both the domestic market, and the varied international markets as well. Possessing about 6,500 retail sites worldwide, Starbucks’ net is spread across thirty countries and has been found as one of the most recognized brands all over the globe in equality to McDonalds and Toyota. This organization’s ability to build an international brand has been unprecedented- particularly since it represents a specialty

I would like to thank Professor Neil R. Abramson for his endless support and help.

This case assignment discusses the history of Starbuck’s accomplishments as they entered the American coffee culture heritage. In 1983, The chairman and CEO Howard Schultz traveled to Italy and had a dream to carry the Italy coffeehouse ritual back to the United States. Schultz was focused on creating an environment meeting company that makes good coffee but also be a social experiment. Starbucks today opened more than 19,000 stores functioning in 62 countries. Starbucks has numerous rewards that globalization has offered and they have significantly benefited from it, while in the coffee industry. Starbucks has a wide-range in marketing strategies to benefit the customers. During the different obstacles that Starbucks has encountered, they must stay reliable in quality and uphold to adjust to different customer values.

Our founder from Seattle was inspired by Hong Kong’s entrepreneurial spirit. He set out to make Pacific Coffee a community hub known for its informality and friendly attitude. Since the opening of its first coffeehouse in 1992, Pacific Coffee has provided world-class coffee to satisfy Hong Kong's growing demand for specialty coffee beverages, and served as a urban oasis for customers wishing to have a moment of peace in their busy, hectic life.