Starbucks Marketing Case Study

* Starbucks has a reputation for new product development and creativity. However, they remain vulnerable to the possibility that their innovation may falter over time.

(3a): What trade-offs has Starbucks made? What different activity choices has it made from its rivals?

Starbucks has created a competitive advantage with their product quality by setting themselves apart from their competitors. “The Company has stayed with the upper-scale of the coffee market, competing on comfort rather than convenience, which is the case with its closest competitors, McDonald’s and Dunkin Donuts” (Mourdoukoutas, Panos). Consumers believe they are receiving a better product and experience when they purchase from a Starbucks as opposed to another large food service company that may sell coffee.

starbucks Corp., an international coffee and coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington, has expanded rapidly since its opening in 1971. These outrageous success was due to its well-developed strategy vision which lay out the company's strategic course in developing and strengthening its business. Starbucks is a global corporation that sells authentic coffee in 30 countries, reporting revenues of nearly $5.1 billion in 2006. The main goal of Starbucks is to embrace diversity by applying the highest standards of excellence. Starbucks strives to perfect the relationship with the working class by making the service as fast as possible because they believe that every customer has their own personal rate. One

Starbucks customers are diverse, well educated, young business people looking for a quick and easy way to grab coffee on their way to work. Starbucks values a strong relationship with their customers so they are

from a small local store to its current global enterprise. Starbucks has strategic partners all over

Starbucks has introduced stored-value card (SVC), which is one of its successful service innovation to its customers. This prepaid and swipe-able smart card was positively accepted, resulting in sales of 6 million cards and $160 million in revenues in the first year it was launched. Starbucks has learned that cardholders tend to visit Starbucks twice as often and experience reduced transaction times. This SVC also proves to bring new customers to Starbucks’ brand.

Starbucks strategy at the beginning was based upon creating a symbolic-expressive value trough a social meaning concept of offering the American community meeting places; this positioned its original products and made associations to identify consumers with self-expression providing personal, social and sociocultural meaning.

The company is also investing in introducing complimentary products such as take home coffee beans and coffee accessories for customers. Apart from this, Starbucks is also partnering to sell their coffee through other intermediaries.

Starbucks provide a large in store seating with free wi fi and a take-out service which only a few retail shops offer. The main target customers for Starbucks are office workers, with enough income, whom are able to afford the high prices of their products (Gaudio, 2003). The company has worked hard to establish itself as the brand leader with its branding as the most frequently drank coffee and noticeable brand logo. Introduction of promotions like the Starbucks Card, allows a more convenient way for a person to
pay for
your
drinks
and
earn
rewards
for
your purchase (Starbucks Coffee Company, 2011).
Furthermore, in‐store
promotions
accompanied
by
new
products and
amenities like free internet use are all strategies that Starbucks use to maintain their position in the market (Vasudha, 2011).

Starbucks Corporation is an American Coffee company and coffeehouse chain. Starbucks was founded in Seattle, Washington in 1971 and it has gotten bigger by the day. Starbucks uses the highest quality of Arabica coffee as the base for it’s espresso drinks and people can’t get enough of it! The purpose of this case study is to observe the effect that Reward Card and Mobile payments Smartphone Application is having on the service offering of Starbucks Coffee Company in the US market. The mobile payment App has added value to Starbucks’ service. Starbucks has changed the way its loyalty rewards program will work and these changes include the way stars will be distributed to consumers as well as the total among of money which are needed to be spend.

The company has a focus on innovation through an emphasis of introducing new products and coffees such as “instant coffee” Via which generated a large sales growth of over 200 million. These new products consistently help Starbucks evolve as a

can order and pay for their drinks in a flash while stacking up rewards for each purchase made. This Strategy has significantly drawn people to Starbucks due to its highly anticipated services, products, and marketing strategies that differ from most fast food restaurants. The next service is the Starbucks webpage where the customers can go onto the site and view product and also make purchases. This service is quite excellent for those that want to checkout items online through the site, because it incorporates a similar process as the application on your smartphone. Starbucks also incorporates equipment and drinkware to their massive line of products. First their Drinkware consists of cups and mugs that are affordable to the customers. These cups come in many colors and aesthetic values, which make people interested in purchasing. Starbucks had the right idea when they decided to manufacture these cups out to their customers because not only were they a huge success for the business, but it also made Starbucks distribute more merchandise. Cold cups, which were from stainless steel containers. These containers made a rise once the popularity rose for other merchandise. These containers were sold very often to customers and once again made a surprise since it was from the same line of cups and mugs category. As more popularity grew in their products so did the equipment used to make customers coffee. First Starbucks decided to manufacture coffee makers, presses, and expresso

consumers to share ideas on anything relating to Starbucks. The social network let users see what

Starbucks’ product is a casual experience in a comfortable atmosphere where the customer can enjoy a premium cup of coffee and a newspaper or relaxing conversation with friends.