Starbucks Gossip

Starbucks to start selling flavored instant coffee this fall

VIA will soon be available in mocha, vanilla, caramel and cinnamon flavors. || Read "Starbucks expands insta-brew, adds flavors" || Press release

OPEN THREAD conversation-starter: Is "community art" no longer allowed in Starbucks stores?

A commenter from the last open thread claims that Starbucks is "cracking down" on local art because it wants a uniform look. Another poster questions doubts that directive was ever issued. What are you hearing? Discuss this, or anything else -- including Saturday's Pumpkin Spice Latte soft launch -- Starbucks-related in the OPEN THREAD. || Jump to the second page of comments.

Starbucks to use coffee shops as testing grounds to get more products in grocery stores

In a memo sent to Starbucks executives last week, Howard Schultz said he's aiming to leverage Starbucks's retail stores to build a stronger consumer packaged goods business. Read more about that memo here ----> "For Starbucks, a New Retail Mix"

Questions? Comments? Criticisms? Post them in the OPEN THREAD

As usual, anything Starbucks-related is up for discussion. Talk about drinks, customer (or barista) behavior.....whatever! || Jump to the second page of comments.

Here's the Reuters story that raises questions about VIA sales

The company's position is that it's aware that "there have been limited instances where some beverage sales have been rung up as Via sales," and that it's "working with our store partners to ensure accuracy for all purchases." || Read "Sales strength of Starbucks' VIA coffee questioned"

A reporter wants to talk to Starbucks baristas about VIA sales. Here's how to reach her.

Lisa Baertlein, who covers Starbucks for Reuters news service, read the posts on Starbucks Gossip about the pressure to sell VIA and some of the questionable ways that sales goals are met, and would like to talk to employees about them. If you are interested in e-mailing her or talking to her about VIA sales -- your name doesn't have to be used for a story -- here is her contact information:
Lisa Baertlein
213-955-6742
Cell 213-247-2128
Lisa.Baertlein@thomsonreuters.com

"Am I the only one that finds the new espresso drink preparation absolutely ridiculous?"

This was posted late in the OPEN THREAD discussion, so maybe you missed it. For readers who don't work at Starbucks, would someone please explain what the new espresso preparation is and how -- or if -- it affects customers.

English professor ejected from Starbucks over multigrain bagel order

I'm looking for Starbuck employees from the Columbus Ave. and 86th St. store in New York City to confirm or deny this customer's account of the dispute. Read "English professor says Starbucks booted her over a bagel order"

It's good luck to post to the OPEN THREAD on Friday the 13th! (and throughout the weekend)

Just don't walk under a ladder while you're posting. (And watch out for black cats!) The OPEN THREAD is your weekly opportunity to spout off, ask questions or make observations about anything Starbucks-related.

Starbucks figures out how to get customers to use its free Wi-Fi even longer

Starbucks says its added even more content to its upcoming digital network, which will let in-store customers browse some paid sites for free. I'm not sure exactly what its strategy is here -- to try to get customers to park longer and buy more goods? To sell ads on this network? Meanwhile, I dug up a news release from 2007 that announced the Starbucks/Apple partnership, which fizzled very quickly. This promised Starbucks iTunes store never got to Chicago and other cities. || Read "Starbucks adds to digital network content"