Why Starbucks is losing customers

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/05/why-starbucks-is-losing-customers.html

by cnbc_official

21 comments

  1. [Starbucks](https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/SBUX/) is finding growth harder to come by.

    Last year, Starbucks controlled 26.5% of the U.S. coffee and snack shop market, according to research firm IBISWorld. However, the coffee giant has seen global [same-store sales decline over the past two quarters](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/30/starbucks-sbux-q3-2024-earnings.html).

    “When you’re the market leader, everyone else comes for you and they try to nibble away at your market share. And there is a lot more competition than there used to be,” said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail.

    Starbucks cafes have long been a “third place” for customers to work and socialize outside of their home or office. But experts say the company is now less experiential than it used to be. This has led to increased competition, with value players like [McDonald’s](https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/MCD/) and quick-service restaurants vying for a more [price-conscious customer.](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/01/starbucks-mcdonalds-yum-earnings-show-consumers-pulling-back.html)

    “What matters right now is obvious value. The consumer is more ‘choiceful,’” said Kevin McCarthy, a managing director at Neuberger Berman.

    Read more: [https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/05/why-starbucks-is-losing-customers.html](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/05/why-starbucks-is-losing-customers.html)

  3. I make better coffee at home and it’s more rewarding than…

    A cup of brown water with a splash of milk that costs me $7.55. The coffee bean quality is less than it used to be, coupled with often being treated to an employee with a condescending, or bored, or hurried attitude who expects a tip in an atmosphere that is less inviting than it used to be… yeah, only in a pinch like traveling situations where I’m on limited options. Even then, I look for local/other options as I know what mediocrity to expect for premium pricing at Starbucks.

  4. I was in an airport this morning starting a business trip and wanted to order from the Starbucks app, which is handy in the airport so you don’t have to stand in a huge line. I have to use a corporate card for all meals on business trips, and I have my company Amex as a payment method in the app for this reason. Today I learned that my airport Starbucks won’t let me mobile order unless I use a Starbucks card in the mobile app, not a credit card.

    So that is one less customer they served today. Really pissed me off.

  5. Customer are finally back to their sense
    Also a lot of indie coffee are doing the same for a third of the price.

  6. Cuz I make fine coffee at home? And when I spend $6 on a coffee, I want the experience to be special?

    And now, Trader Joe’s has egg bites (I failed at making those at home, haha).

  7. Cuz I make fine coffee at home? And when I spend $6 on a coffee, I want the experience to be special?

    And now, Trader Joe’s has egg bites (I failed at making those at home, haha).

  8. Cuz I make fine coffee at home? And when I spend $6 on a coffee, I want the experience to be special?

    And now, Trader Joe’s has egg bites (I failed at making those at home, haha).

  9. Cuz it’s like $8 for bean water that’s a fraction of the price at home. Then they want a tip on top of that too lol.

  10. I bet too that at-home coffee brew systems are taking a bite of Starbucks. People can buy a variety of different pods and have them on-hand for instant use.

  11. I spent I think it was about 570.00 for a good quality espresso machine and haven’t been back since. Used to be I thought they were too expensive to justify but now I’m definitely saving money and learning how to dial in my own shots.

  12. It’s too expensive at a time when people are already struggling to pay for things like eggs, bread, and their rent/mortgage.

    Saves you a click.

  13. Once more people find about Vietnamese coffee packs like G7, it’s over for $5 plus hot drinks.

  14. It’s far too easy to make good coffee at home and bring it work for much, much less money. I love Starbucks but only go occasionally and it’s always to get a Medicine Ball. Their coffee drinks just cost too damn much.

  15. It’s too expensive, I just paid $13 for 2 drinks. 🤦🏽‍♀️

  17. 10 oz supreme Bustelo is $7 and lasts me about a month (one cup a day). I only visit starbucks if I am given a gift card

  19. They switched from manual espresso machines to automatic ones, the quality went to crap but the price went way up. Their beans went from premium to burnt trash. It seems companies like Starbucks are willing to do “everything” except fix the obvious problems.

  20. I bought an espresso machine and now oven roast my beans and make the best cappuccino ever

  21. They’re putting a 7 brew on just about every corner where I live

Leave a Reply