
Starbucks
2401 Utah Ave.
Seattle
BY JUAN VALDEZ
One of the things I've been asked to do as I've been writing these columns is to go back and "re-review" stores and see if they've changed or gotten better/worse. Up til now, I've declined to do so however, for my last column, I've decided to acquiesce.
And what better store to go back and "re-review" than the store where all of this started...the lobby store at SBUX headquarters. That was the first store I reviewed and, now, it will be the last.
Oh, how things have changed since that morning when I stepped through those front doors, anxious to see if they did it right at this key store and hoping to get a glimpse of Howard. SBUX has seen the introduction of LEAN processes, the rollout of instant coffee (Via) and the cutting of a lot of fat from the ole P&L in the form of 600 stores and around 10,000 partner staff layoffs. Howard's hair has gotten noticeably more grey and the lines on his face longer. Senior management has been through several seismic shifts; to the point that even Melody is having a hard time keeping up. /CONTINUED IN THE FIRST COMMENT
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