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1 posted on 02/25/2015 5:57:23 AM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
Starbucks will stop selling CDs at the end of the month, and it isn't hip to cry about it. Last week's news that the coffee chain would do away with its register-side racks was met on Twitter with many a condolence to Norah Jones's career; at Vulture, Lindsey Weber mock-mourned, “Oh no, how will we know what adult contemporary stations are playing without having to listen to the radio?”

ROTFL

2 posted on 02/25/2015 6:00:37 AM PST by Alex Murphy ("the defacto Leader of the FR Calvinist Protestant Brigades")
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

I won’t go into a Starbucks because they not only play awful music, but they play it VERY VERY LOUDLY.

Quickly learned this was not a place to meet anyone for coffee and a conversation.


4 posted on 02/25/2015 6:18:01 AM PST by Buckeye McFrog
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Starbucks can’t make decaf. Plus even just plain coffee overpriced. Cheaper and better tasting coffee can be made at home.


6 posted on 02/25/2015 6:21:41 AM PST by fatnotlazy
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

CDs have dropped in demand. Records (vinyl) have begun to bounce back (new and used sales, used sales are not tracked in ‘vinyl sales’ charts, neither are independent retailers).

Starbucks would not be well served to branch into the record business (even 45s).

The CDs were a novelty item that offered some exclusive marketing tie-ins.

Best Buy does the same thing (bundling CDs with live recordings or DVDs).


9 posted on 02/25/2015 6:25:55 AM PST by a fool in paradise (Shickl-Gruber's Big Lie gave us Hussein's Un-Affordable Care act (HUAC).)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

“Starbucks has the opportunity to break new artists in ways that no other retailer can today because of the footprint, the breadth, and the loyalty we have,” Schultz said in ’04. “... We’re now the ‘Third Place.’ The physical environment has become as important as anything we do, including the coffee.”

Starbucks is still doing this today, with a free digital download card every week.

Why they feel concerned about being known for breaking new artists, I don’t know. Maybe it is to appeal to new/young consumers. Maybe it is like comic strips in the old newspapers, you come back next week for the next installment.


10 posted on 02/25/2015 6:30:07 AM PST by a fool in paradise (Shickl-Gruber's Big Lie gave us Hussein's Un-Affordable Care act (HUAC).)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum; Jack Hydrazine; Norm Lenhart; Salamander; TheOldLady; spyone; ...
Selling coffee in music & bookstores was a great idea. Selling music in a coffee shop? Not so much.

This is the Modern Music Ping List. Our topic is music from the 20th and 21st century, from Ravel and Shostakovich through to the Synth Pioneers and beyond.

Topic suggestions are always welcome, and pings to music-related threads are appreciated.

FReepmail or reply to this post to be added to or removed from this list.

11 posted on 02/25/2015 6:34:02 AM PST by Squawk 8888 (Will steal your comments & post them on Twitter)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
Starbuck’s musical efforts also made for one of the most high-profile examples of a commercial brand trying to double as cultural tastemaker. It played talent scout, signing newbie acts and famous ones alike, aiming to create some coherent aesthetic identity.

"They" all do it these days.

Whether it is Scion or Red Bull sponsoring free concerts and CDs from coast to coast or Doritos sponsoring a giant vending machine stage at SXSW concerts.

http://www.scionav.com/section/music/

http://www.redbull.com/us/en/music

Doritos Lesson: How to Make Your Brand Stand Out at Major Events

This is known as 'selling out'.


12 posted on 02/25/2015 6:41:00 AM PST by a fool in paradise (Shickl-Gruber's Big Lie gave us Hussein's Un-Affordable Care act (HUAC).)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

I saw this coming two months ago. The only cd they had on their rack was the Frozen soundtrack, not exactly a hipster fave, but probably the best selling music cd in the country. I saw it as a sign that the music was not selling and they were desperate.


14 posted on 02/25/2015 7:10:21 AM PST by sportutegrl
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