I never understood how starbuck got so big and so popular. I’ve tried them out a few years ago and thought the taste of normal and the cost was expensive, usually 50%+ more than mom/pop stores
Agree about wondering why but I think that Apple and Starbucks have become a Progressive brand that attracts a small percentage of folks but they are loyal to the brand.
These things have sociological connections that most of us can not discern - unless Liberal or Progressive I guess...strange connection these folks have...
I understand the confusion about how-the-heck Starbucks became so popular. Here’s my theory and guess. I remember talking with friends in 1980 about how Los Angeles lacks cool places to hang out. There were bars for older people and pinball game shops for young people. But there was nothing cool for young people. We tried visiting the Christian Science reading rooms in Santa Monica but discovered they were lame and uncool after 20 minutes. Then came along Mr. Baldwin who learned from Mr. Peet and who sold to Mr. Schulz in 1984. Now there are many fun and cool Starbucks places for young people to hang out.
Too bad Mr. Schulz lacks faith in the Lord. He needs to learn a simple rule: don’t bite the hand that feeds you. Don’t take for granted American, Christianity and strong families.
[[I never understood how starbuck got so big and so popular.]]
By playing off the psyche of people who fall for trends so easily- charge a lot and people will think you’re the bee’s knees, the cat’s meow, the dog’s bark, the .... whatever- and they will flock to you and gladly throw their hard earned money down the drain for crappy coffee-
It’s popular because of the panache and circumstance.
Trendy, a little soup Nazi-ish, overly priced, pretentious, and they make their customers learn to speak a made up language when ordering.
It’s hip [whatever the ‘word’ is nowadays] to have that big cup with the green all over it - it shows you care, for something you can’t even describe.
Their hip customers carry their cups around like a big phallic symbol - must give them some sense of security knowing their junk is firmly in their grasp.
Twenty years ago....Starbucks had four-star coffee and everyone else had two-star coffee. In the past decade...everyone improved (even McDonalds today...has premium coffee). They might have held some advantage in the 1990s but it’s just another gimmick today and frankly...over-priced. If you buy the same quality coffee for sixty-percent of what Starbucks charges...why waste your money?
As people realize this...the sales gimmick will decrease and I think within the next decade...around thirty-percent of the Starbucks shops will disappear. They might still have a hold on airport situations but I think their growth period is finished.