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Starbucks rolls out Via instant coffee
AP via Yahoo!Finance ^ | March 3, 2009 | Ashley M. Heher

Posted on 03/03/2009 5:19:41 PM PST by PJ-Comix

CHICAGO (AP) -- Alongside its flashy array of triple espressos, foamy cappuccinos and half-caff extra-hot flavored lattes, Starbucks Corp. unveiled its newest coffee drink Tuesday: a cup of average, instant Joe served up for the equally proletarian price of about a dollar a cup.

Hoping to convince recession-shocked customers to return to the brand that has spent years cultivating coffee connoisseurs, Starbucks is at first offering instant coffee only in Chicago and the chain's home base of Seattle.

Executives hope the water-soluble "Via" -- sold in three- and 12-packs -- will reinvigorate the chain's sagging sales and profits, and give it an edge in the globe's $17 billion market for instant coffee.

(Excerpt) Read more at biz.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: coffee; starbucks
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LOL! Yeah, like I'm really going to hoof over to a supposed gourmet coffee restaurant just to shell out a buck for a cup of INSTANT coffee. Too FUnnie! Who was the "genius" that thought up this marketing strategy?
1 posted on 03/03/2009 5:19:42 PM PST by PJ-Comix
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To: PJ-Comix

their customer base is made up of liberals. nuff said.


2 posted on 03/03/2009 5:20:57 PM PST by GeronL (Will bankrupting America lead to socialism?)
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To: PJ-Comix

Sure, and I wouldn’t have thought people would pony up $5 for a cup of joe either. But millions still do it every day.


3 posted on 03/03/2009 5:22:35 PM PST by squidly
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To: PJ-Comix

Doesn’t McDonalds coffee regularly beat Starbux in blind taste tests??


4 posted on 03/03/2009 5:24:35 PM PST by Neidermeyer
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To: squidly

Instant coffee being served in a coffee house is almost like a joke. Actually it is a joke. It’s like going to a steakhouse and seeing a Salisbury steak TV dinner on the menu.


5 posted on 03/03/2009 5:25:17 PM PST by PJ-Comix (Stop Road Rage or...I'LL KILL YOU!!!)
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To: Neidermeyer

McD’s coffee is great....also love their sweet tea

We serve dunkin donuts dark roast in our home....


6 posted on 03/03/2009 5:26:35 PM PST by Kimmers (Working hard so Obamas friends don't have to)
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To: squidly

I was wondering what California was doing with the solid waste since they have been recycling their sewage into drinking water. Now I know!


7 posted on 03/03/2009 5:27:08 PM PST by RW_Whacko
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To: squidly

It’s actually $1.68 for “tall” black which in reality, is a “small” cup of coffee. I prefer the McDonald’s coffee. The last time I went to Starbucks was Christmas time, it was snowing and my kid brother wanted some cocoa.


8 posted on 03/03/2009 5:27:20 PM PST by max americana
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To: squidly

STBX does not sell a $5 cup of coffee.


9 posted on 03/03/2009 5:30:18 PM PST by svcw
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To: PJ-Comix

I’d say Starbucks just jumped the shark...


10 posted on 03/03/2009 5:41:10 PM PST by Chet 99
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To: Kimmers
We serve dunkin donuts dark roast in our home....

Try Eight O'Clock brand. Very good and about 1/2 the price.

11 posted on 03/03/2009 5:41:32 PM PST by Poison Pill (Help, I've voted Republican and I can't get up!)
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To: Poison Pill

Thanks I will try it


12 posted on 03/03/2009 5:45:08 PM PST by Kimmers (Working hard so Obamas friends don't have to)
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To: PJ-Comix
My life insurance agent re-calibrated my range of options at Starbucks yesterday with higher rates due to elevated A1C. I don't know how elevated, but I'm finished with iced, syrup sweetened lattes at 300 calories and 44 grams of carbs. The staff was anxiously pushing the new "perfect pairs"...food and drink deals for $3.95. No dice. All the food is unsatisfactory due to gluten content. The drinks are all sugared. My choices are down to clear teas with artificial sweetener. That also turns out to be the least expensive offerings.

McDonald's coffees taste OK, but they are just too full of sugar for my tastes. They are off my reasonable choice list as well.

13 posted on 03/03/2009 5:47:35 PM PST by Myrddin
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To: Neidermeyer

Mickey D’d coffee TROUNCES StarSmucks coffee in every head-to-head test. ....and it’s cheaper!

S’bucks is obviously flailing around for a fix to lower sales. I can’t imagine instant coffee being the answer.

Next thing you know it’ll be served in white Styrofoam cups by ladies with hairnets! LOL


14 posted on 03/03/2009 5:48:30 PM PST by bizrocket
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To: GeronL
their customer base is made up of liberals. nuff said.

About half the staff at my local Starbucks is former small business owners or grad students. The economy killed their businesses, so they are doing the "survival" jobs to stay afloat.

15 posted on 03/03/2009 5:49:17 PM PST by Myrddin
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To: Myrddin

well.

survival jobs is right. I think we are all going to need one pretty soon.


16 posted on 03/03/2009 5:50:31 PM PST by GeronL (Will bankrupting America lead to socialism?)
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To: Neidermeyer

Not in my taste test, but that’s really the only one that matters to me. McDonald’s has some horrendously over-sweet drinks, as well, but I’m more of a regular coffee guy, anyway.

That said, caffeine content in a small (Tall) Starbucks v. McDonald’s:

Starbucks: 240 mg
McDonald’s: 109 mg

If I’m looking for a long-acting morning buzz, Starbucks gets me there cheaper, more efficiently, and tastier than does McD’s or any other coffee place I’ve found.

Sorry, gang. I’ll take Starbucks anyday.


17 posted on 03/03/2009 5:51:04 PM PST by CaspersGh0sts
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To: Myrddin

You could take in plain coffee, as well. Actually, studies have shown that coffee and caffeine are protective against diabetes. Just drink it without the sweetners. Add a bit of milk.


18 posted on 03/03/2009 5:52:59 PM PST by CaspersGh0sts
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To: Myrddin
McDonald's coffees taste OK, but they are just too full of sugar for my tastes. They are off my reasonable choice list as well.

Huh? You pour it out black and then add in as much sugar as you want. Me? I prefer it with cream but NO sugar.

19 posted on 03/03/2009 5:53:30 PM PST by PJ-Comix (Stop Road Rage or...I'LL KILL YOU!!!)
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To: PJ-Comix

It’s not being sold in the stores as brewed coffee. It’s being sold for home use.


20 posted on 03/03/2009 5:55:56 PM PST by Rebel Wolf (Not pounding my guns into plowshares)
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