Starbucks Sales Operation

Starbucks is everywhere. How do they sell, through what distribution channel and who does the selling? Starbucks purchases and roasts high quality whole bean coffee, they also distribute a variety of pastries, blended beverages Cd's, a selection of premium teas throughout its retailer stores.
In addition to its sales through its aggressive retail chain, Starbucks sells its Coffee and tea through other distribution channels. The Business alliances business unit, collectively operations and speciality operations. Starbucks also distributes frappuccino drinks and ice cream to local supermarkets. Starbucks aggressive expansion increases its market share in existing markets and helps to open stores in new markets when the opportunity presents itself. The company's speciality operations aggressively wants to reach customers where they work, where they travel , shop and dine. The company sells whole bean and ground coffees to office distributors and international food service companies.

Retail Experience

My daughter and I visited the Gap retail store on 42nd and Broadway to do a little shopping for the change of weather. It was a very pleasant experience because at that location, I always receive the help I need. I wish that location had more choices of clothing, though they have great customer service the shelves are almost bare. Can you say a serious restock. Overall I will continue to shop there and pray they have more things to sell , just because I love the customer service. The gaP retailer should try to a restock its shelves, because when there is nothing to shop for they can lose some serious money. I encourage a trip but they may not have what your looking for, but I'm sure you will find something else.

So I also went to the olive garden, we are starving and just scarfed down a muffin that cost $2.59. Yes we are that hungry. In Olive garden the wait was an hour. I was starving, my daughter was starving and the wait was an hour. I could not believe it, McDonald's started looking good after the first 30 minutes and towards that last fifteen I was tempted to buy a hot dog off of the street and go home. I waited though and was seated in a very private and comfortable area, with complimentary wine. What a way to take off the edge! Overall the food came on time, the waitress was pleasant and the wine was a great icebreaker between olive garden and I. Olive garden can try to make the wait less and try to add more of sitting area for the people who are waiting. I like the that there was wine because it was like Olive garden was saying im sorrry you had to wait so long but here is a glass of wine to make up for it. I recommend this olive garden if you have time to starve or maybe during the afternoon when it is less crowded. Either way if they have complimentary wine, you will be fine.

Oh and I ended a pleasant day by giving a kiss to my beautiful Blair, what a day.

Starbuck's Marketing Segement

Starbucks has successfully expanded its product offerings, revenues and brand value by targeting the right customer. Most of Star buck's customers are between the ages 18-24. These customers make up the largest segment of customers. Many may not be heavy coffee drinkers and may relax at the fact that Starbucks has non- coffee gourmet drinks. Customers between these ages see Starbucks as different and unique.

I am apart of that segment and I only go to target for the Raspberry, soy, white hot chocolate. Yum. The average customer within that segment makes around 5.3 visits a month. I am also guilty of this. With a Starbucks at every corner in Manhattan, how can you not feed your addiction.


61% of customers between the ages of 18-24 drink coffee of an energy boost.
80% of customers between the ages of 18-24 visit Starbucks for snacks and beverages.
49% of customers between the ages of 18-24 visit Starbucks for meeting with friends and social activities.
Because the customers between the ages of 18-24 are most likely college students. Many find Starbucks to be relaxing, affordable and convenient. New york university can enjoy that convenience with a Starbucks right on campus, as well as many other colleges.

Although Starbucks receives major business from this demographic, Starbucks also targets every other demographic. Everyone can enjoy Starbucks from its children's menus, to senior citizen discounts. I would say its the Bloomingdale's for gourmet "Everything" associated with beverages.

Does Starbucks participate in Business Marketing?

Starbucks, well known for its luxury coffee and delicious seating area is committed to customer satisfaction. So why not include a Starbucks in every one's favorite discount store Target. In 2002 Target and Starbucks agreed to place a Starbucks in all of the new target stores, the Starbucks editions will have the same features of a typical Starbucks. Flashing forward to 2010, depending on the area the of the target store, Starbucks sales vary.Many customers prefer Targets less pricier meal choices.

Macy's in Manhattan has also agreed taken advantage of Starbucks great repetition, with two Starbucks located within the superstore.

As of 2010, Starbucks has also added their Internet site, there customers are able to purchase coffee and gift cards. Starbucks also caters to small businesses with its business to business products. For small businesses, Starbucks offers cups, coffee and machinery to satisfy the Starbucks junkies of today's workforce.

How Starbucks Influences Consumer Decision

In any business the key to success is consumer satisfaction. Starbucks is aware of this and pleases many customers with luxury coffee supposedly made with great care. Starbucks is always introducing new things to the menu without much advertising. Starbucks recently added oatmeal with three topping choices to the menu and lets not forget its limited time drinks around the holiday. One can ask themselves how are people informed of these special offers when Starbucks does not use large advertisement banners. Starbucks relies on word of mouth, if they please one customer that customer will tell a friend or maybe two : and because of its repetition they may gain more customers who will tell more friends. Does Starbucks understand the real need of consumers or potential consumers? No, Starbucks is a company that wants to sell itself and force people to believe that a four dollar cup of coffee is way better than a cup of coffee less than two dollars. You may say whats the difference between the two I still get the buzz. Well Starbucks sells you on luxury, they pay close attention to culture and language in order to enforce this thought internationally. Starbucks may be able to force its "luxury" coffee on Americans and many other countries but Italy wont have it. They already have luxury coffee and the people pay less than a dollar for it, that's a sell that can't be sold. Regardless, Starbucks is constantly introducing new items to the menu and targeting almost every demographic. Hot chocolates and cupcakes for children, low fat pastries and the choice of soy milk for the health conscious person and comfortable chairs and mellowing music can relax anyone. Though Starbucks doesn't advertise on television and public banners, its success has been based on word of mouth and its luxury coffee. I think customer satisfaction has definitely been met 100%.