Starbucks closing 600 more stores

A nice segue into ...

http://www.walmartmovie.com/

... the high cost of low price.

Yes Roger,

As an attorney who specializes in workers compensation issues, I am very well-versed in some of Walmart's practices which is why I used the Borders - Carmichaels example also. Do Walmart's practices lead to lower prices? That is a different issue for a different forum.

My point was that I am price sensitive on fungible goods. For non-fungible goods, I take what I perceive to be better. Build a better mousetrap and I will buy it no matter what label or brand it has or who cooks it or who ultimately gets rich from it. I love Cafe Lou Lou's calzones. If Pizza hut makes a better one, I will buy it. I love Highland Coffee. If Starbucks makes it better, I will switch.

The best post in this thread.

Some of you are really sick....Happy about this and the loss of jobs for the people working there. I guess that they dont mean a thing to some of you....No places in Louisville are closing as far as I was told at the Summit location....I think that some of you need to grow up a bit....or loose a job and feel what those people are and will be going through....and for those happy about this and even happier because the local places will take over....money is tight and all coffee places will and are feeling the loss of bussiness....They need the money for gas and food as all have skyrocketed over the past year....Also just a few days ago the minimum wage went up by 70 cents and will go up another 70 cents next year...that will relate in a increase in price...someone has to pay for it...by the way have a happy fouth of july...independance day...meaning you are free to eat what ever and wherever you want...

I tend bar and go to school so money is tight but I refuse to go to walmart. My mother and father are both arbitrator's and I have heard first hand the horror stories that is walmart employee policy. Everyone has the right and option to shop where they please.

Walmart doesn't lower prices persay, they just undercut the competition until they are gone.Big cities aren't impacted quite as much as a small town that has a super walmart completely shut down all of the other business and making it job and merchandise exclusive. So they can pretty much run amuck and treat the workers the way they please. Not to mention the importing of almost all non US goods.But that is an entirely different issue.

Sometimes you just have to draw a line in the sand. If we don't try and stop them, the government definately isn't going to.

Meijers on the flip side of the issue treats it's employee's like Americans . Their prices are a little higher ..... i'll stop there .

I fail to see any connection between Walmart and the topic of this thread. BTW...I don't shop at Walmart either...I just don't think it really pertains to Starbucks.

That is a different issue for a different forum.

Perhaps. Perhaps not. I think it's relevant to any discussion of big boxes, or chains, or whatever enlarged entities that benefit from an altered playing field, because in the end, that's what it is. But I'm perfectly willing to let it go with that, because when it comes to the fungible goods you mention, there no longer is much of a playing field.

any ex- starbuck employees are welcome to come by the pizza company and put in an application
the pay isn't as good, neither are the benefits
but with a little luck and hard work they could be

plus you can learn about craft beer

Well..I don't even drink coffee(But don't deny me my Iced Tea or there will be a fight!)

This news of store closings doesn't surprise me at all...

I'm not slamming the "corporate" model but if you go too far with out the proper management in place mistakes will invariably happen.....

Things ARE tough all over these days; and I feel it will get much worse before it gets better!!!

Hey even with the 600 stores closing they are still going to do good...Some of you make it sound like they have one foot in the grave...

Robert they are not doing 'good' their share price is at it's lowest since 2004. If they were doing 'good' they wouldn't be closing 600 unprofitable stores. If they were doing 'good' they wouldn't have had to bring their founder back in to run the business and get it back on track. Saying Starbucks is doing good by any measurable standard is like saying GM is doing 'good'.

Sure they aren't going to go bankrupt and I'm sure they will once again be profitable sometime but they are in a crisis.
They face increasing competition from two of your favorite chains McDonald's and Dunkin Doughnuts in addition to all the other coffee chains and independents.

They have their backs to the wall... they are refocusing their efforts... will they survive? Count on it... but the shine is off the shoe and it'll be years before their shares rebound.

Give it a year and I bet you will be wrong....Just like when boston market over built years ago....They closed some of there places and within a year or so they actually became stronger then they were before...I guess thats what happens when you expand too fast...

is there still a boston market in the louisville area??
the one in clarksviile closed and never re-opened

No we were on the hit list when they closed some of the stores. Too bad because they had good food...You could have Thanksgiving Dinner any day you want and there rotiserie chicken was great...as good as Rollo Pollo was when they were on Shelbyville Road...and both places had real mashed potatoes...

Off topic, but I'm taking advantage of the holiday to finalize plans for my Wizard of Oz themed eatery, with 765 outlets coast to coast by the year 2010 and gift cards in every corner stop 'n' rob to follow. All I have so far is the song crooned to every customer by the Scarecrow/greeter, to the tune of "If I Only Had a Brain."

I could while away the hours
Conferrin' with the flowers
Consultin' with the rain
And my belly, I'd be scratchin'
While my hunger’s busy hatchin'
If I only had a chain.

I'd unravel ev'ry riddle
Nothing’s individ'le
It’s all ‘bout franchise gain
When the crowds come a throngin'
You could be another Longhorn,
If you only had a chain.

Oh, I could tell you why
Red Lobster’s not near the shore,
I could invest where I never been before
And then I'd sit and eat some more.

I’d be a Starbucks muffin
My head like Boston Market stuffin'
Those Chili’s apps – just insane
I would dance the Baconator
Life a low common denominator
If I only had a chain!

I am getting hungry after reading your peom...A lot of good places you mentioned...and the Baconator...Yum..without the bun...4 carbs....

You're killing me again, Roger.