Question for baristas in Seattle and Illinois: How is VIA selling?

Somebody posted in the latest Open Thread: "What has happened with Via? SBUX is running scared with slow sales of the instant in the Midwest." Is this true (or false), according to your store sales? (I stopped buying VIA, primarily because K-Cups for my Keurig machine are half the cost of VIA.) Why is it taking Starbucks so long to introduce VIA to other markets? || UPDATE: "Legendary or Bust" says in the comments section that VIA is going national Sept 1- Nov 18.

Comments

[LEGENDARY OR BUST]

Via is going national Sept 1- Nov 18

Also, Pumpkin Spice Latte, Frappuccino, Creme, etc.

Pumpkin Scones, muffins, focus on pumpkin loaf

Continue with same pairing as now.

Pretty uneventful.

PSL is a customer favorite though. Should sell well.

[LEGENDARY OR BUST]

By the way, this is the longest promotional phase in my memory - 12 weeks! It is called simply FALL. There will be NO Fall 2, we are going straight to Holiday after that it seems like

[Wanderley]

More importantly (for me at least): when will they have a decaf version?

[North by North West]

We have sold the crap out of this product. Probably in my area, we have it easier than some. Primarily because we are in the Seattle region and have many elderly in the vicinity. I find that as coffee culture goes up and age goes up the older folks are always looking for an easy way to brew decent flavored coffee.

Also we have military bases in the area, and the troops dig Via for when they are deployed in remote areas (Afghanistan, Iraq etc.)

So I could see it being hard to sell elsewhere.

[baroosta]

I'm in Illinois, and I've noticed that it's a lot harder to sell VIA now, even with the constant sampling of hot and iced VIA. We have our loyal VIA customers who come in and buy their 12 packs every week, but I really feel like it hasn't caught on like Starbucks thought it would. We don't have people banging down our doors to buy it...

[I'm here too.]

Horribly.

[CamSpi]

@LegendaryOrBust

What coffees are coming out for Fall? I assume Anniversary Blend, but are we getting Sulawesi? And other seasonal coffees?

[spence]

I hope no one is complaining about not having new drinks in the fall. Really. With the PSL available, we don't need any. Smoothie sales are still a huge seller where I am so I don't need any crazy mint mocha chip frappucinos to slow us down.
I am amazed at how many people return for the PSL. That is something that should be advertised.

[yukonluvr]

CamSpi, thanksgiving will be back, and sulawesi as well. also, organic yukon will be replacing organic serena, due to partner and customer request. unfortunately, yukon has lost it's extra bold title and has been moved down to medium. according to portal, yukon will still have it's characteristic flavor profile. i can only hope!!!

[Bearded Barista]

Frankly I never thought of Yukon as a Bold coffee, it always seemed like a bold/medium.. if that makes any sense. Assuming it still tastes the same, labeling it medium doesnt make much difference to me.

[JustAConsumer]

How do you make Iced VIA (what is the mix recommendation)?

[baroosta]

JustAConsumer...just mix a packet of VIA with 8 oz of cold water...

[JT]

re: iced via. I find that even under the best of circumstances, you tend to get a little "sludge" mixing Via with cold water. If you are not in a hurry, prepare it hot, stir it so everything dissolves completely, then chill.

but i do like it a lot. Just wish Costco sold both flavors.

[Clean Simple]

I saw VIA in Target the other day! Same price as in-store. I like it, good for traveling.

[.]

The promo is misleading. It makes it seem as If Via is launching with fall, but if you actually read it, it says that the month of september will be spent preparing for the via launch. Not really sure what exactly that entails...

[me]

JT.... use just an inch of hot water at first, then add cold the rest of the way. This is great for Crystal light and stuff too.