The Financial Function with Starbucks

Starbucks suppliers have high bargaining power due to the fact that the demand for coffee is high in global level and coffee beans can be produced only in certain geographical areas.

Starbucks Coffee originated in 1971 as a coffee and tea café opening in a small neighborhood of Seattle, Washington (Starbucks Corporation, 2010). Starbucks continued its service for Seattle residents for a decade when the new director of retail operations and marketing, Howard Shultz, decided to make some beneficial changes to the company. After two years of employment Howard Shultz decided to expand Starbucks outside of the Seattle area. In 1987 Starbucks was entering in the coffee market and the few numbers of Starbucks were now becoming a corporation (Starbucks Corporation, 2010). Fast forwarding to current times, Starbucks is

* Employment law: the profitability of the company could be influenced by US governmental concerns regarding minimum wage that companies are required to pay their staff. In addition, reduction in licensing and permit costs in countries producing coffee beans for Starbucks would lower the production cost for farmers resulting in savings that would be passed on to the consumer.

Founded in 1985, Starbucks is one of the largest coffeehouse companies in the world, with over 16,000 stores in 50 countries (Starbucks Annual Report, 2009, p. 1). Starbucks sells high-quality

National governments in coffee growing countries have a major investment in Starbucks. Some of these countries include Costa Rica, Guatemala, Kenya, Nicaragua, and Tanzania. Starbucks strive to be responsible for its

The first Starbucks opened in 1971, in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market. The name, inspired by Moby Dick. Howard Schultz (Starbucks chairman, president and chief executive officer) had first walked into a Starbucks store. “He had a vision to bring the Italian coffeehouse tradition back to the United States. A place for conversation and a sense of community.” A third place between work and home. From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company. One that not only celebrated coffee and the rich tradition, but that also brought a feeling of connection. ("Company Information | Starbucks Coffee

Economic conditions in the US and certain international markets could adversely affect Starbucks’ business and

The fourth factor which shall be kept in mind while evaluating the macro environment for Starbucks refers to the technological aspect. Starbucks being one of the reputed coffee houses had a robust distribution strategy which helped them to stay ahead of the competition.

Many multinational corporations in the coffee industry have succeeded tremendously such as Starbucks. Each of these corporations has strategies that helped them continue to expand to nations of different cultures, ethnicities, governmental practices, and locations.

Starbucks Corporation is one of the world’s largest coffee roaster, marketer, and retailer of coffee. Some people call Starbucks as one the most success stories in the American history. In 1971, three entrepreneurs, Jordan Bowker, Zev Siegel, and Jerry Baldwin came together with $8000 and opened first Starbucks store in Seattle, WA. They were inspired by the style of roasting beans of Alfred Peet, founder of the Peet’s Coffee & Tea. They started the company with a dream of selling high-quality coffee beans and coffee machines. During their first year of operation, Starbucks used to buy the green coffee beans from Peet’s Coffee but later they started buying the coffee from coffee planters.

The world renowned Starbucks Corporation (New York Stock Exchange: SBUX) has gone from a Seattle-based company to one of the world's most powerful and recognizable brands of high-quality coffee. Starbucks welcomes millions of customers through their doors every day in

The Starbucks Company is a purveyor of gourmet coffee that was founded in 1971 at Seattle’s Pike Place Market (Retrieved March 10, 2015, from http://www.starbucks.com/about-us/company-information). At that time Starbucks was a single storefront that offered premium, fresh roasted whole bean coffees. Since opening that single store Starbucks has grown to an international presence with branding that is recognizable worldwide. In addition, Starbucks has increased their product line beyond hot and cold coffee beverages to include hot and cold teas, packaged whole bean and ground coffees, high quality, fresh foods and coffee making equipment and supplies. Starbucks operates a total of 19,767 company operated and licensed stores and operates in 62 countries. In addition to the Starbucks’ brand the company also owns and operates other well-known brands such as Teavana and Seattle’s Best Coffee. (Retrieved March 10, 2015, from http://news.starbucks.com/uploads/documents/Starbucks_Fiscal_2013_Annual_Report_-_FINAL.PDF)

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

In terms of competition and the forces, which could limit the success of Starbucks it is important they stay ahead or even with other companies concerning innovative products. Many more micro companies are coming up with new products with a similar quality and a lower price/cost. It is important that Starbucks continues to search for innovative products to continually satisfy their customers. At the same time “rivalry” amongst Starbucks and smaller providers of coffee will continue to increase as the demand for coffee continues. The buyers bargaining power is significant as they can determine the cost, type of product, quantity and ultimately

There are plenty of opportunities which exist for Starbucks in the international markets. In countries with growing economies, such as the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China), there are growing upper and middle classes that want to spend money on specialty coffee. Some of these countries are traditionally “Tea Drinkers” that are expanding their tastes to include coffee.