Starbucks Gossip

It's been a slow SBUX news week; maybe we can pick it up in the OPEN THREAD

Yes, I could be posting stories about Starbucks and single-serve coffee, but that topic bores the hell out of me (and you, too, I suspect). Discuss what interests you, SBUX-wise, is the OPEN THREAD.|| Jump to the second page of comments.

Here we go again: Why Starbucks should buy Peet's

Yes, this has been chewed over before on the site, but I think this author's point is new: "The Peet's brand would add another price point to Starbucks' coffee portfolio as it is priced about 15% higher than the Starbucks brand in the grocery channel. Peet's would give Starbucks three price points within the grocery channel when you include Seattle's Best, which is priced about 20% lower than the Starbucks brand. With Peet's, Starbucks would dominate the growing specialty segment and have complete ownership of the grocery aisle." || Read "Why Starbucks Should Buy Peet's"

OPEN THREAD conversation-starter: Want to join the campaign to crush Green Mountain?

Howard Schultz has squelched rumors about Starbucks being on the verge of buying Green Mountain Coffee. Instead, he's ready to take on the company that's known for its single-serve business. Discuss this or anything else Starbucks-related in the OPEN THREAD. || Jump to the second page of comments.

A mom asks: How does Starbucks help employees after robberies?

The woman wrote in another thread here: "My daughter was robbed at gunpoint in Cincinnati recently while working at Starbucks. Does Starbucks compensate and help these partners who have suffered a violent crime? What I have seen and heard thus far says no. It's business as usual, irregardless of the human component." (I suspect she's referring to this robbery.) Does anyone in the know have information to pass along? (Free counseling, etc.)

Starbucks confirms it's working on a new product for single-serve coffee machines

A Starbucks spokeswoman says the coffee chain hopes to accomplish with "single-serve coffee what Apple did for mobile phones." She adds that single-serve coffee is still in the early stages of development, and Starbucks hasn't even decided yet what the product will be called. Read "Starbucks eyes single-serve coffee market"

It's time to hit Reload on the OPEN THREAD

Last weekend's OPEN THREAD was a lively one but, unfortunately, it occasionally took an ugly turn. (Keep it civil, please!) It's time for a fresh start, with anything Starbucks-related open for discussion. One suggestion: Your SBUX Groupon ideas.

Howard Schultz invests in Groupon, joins board

I'm assuming that means we'll soon see deals like $10 worth of Starbucks products for $5 showing up in our daily Groupon e-mails. As a customer, I can only hope. || Read "Starbucks CEO backs Groupon, joins board"

Wanted: Info on the interactive touchscreens in front of some Starbucks stores

I haven't seen them, but coolest-gadgets.com has a video of one being put up and used at a Starbucks store, apparently in Canada. Has anyone seen or used them? || Read "Starbucks has interactive touchscreens in front of their stores"

OPEN THREAD conversation-starter: Care to help a writer with her 'barista secrets' story?

This comment was posted in the "historic blizzard" thread below: "I'm an editor at a major online magazine website and writing an article called '20 things you barista won't tell you.' Please reply with your contact info if you're interested in contributing!" He/she doesn't post an e-mail address for responses, so feel free to post your "secrets" here. Or -- since this is an OPEN THREAD -- feel free to discuss anything Starbucks-related. || Jump to the third page of comments.

Share your Starbucks-related 'historic blizzard' stories

Did your store close early, or open late because of the storm? Were you short-staffed because employees weren't able to make it through the snow? Are customers understanding? Or being a--holes about it? Share your "Blizzard of 2011" stories here.