Starbucks to raise prices on some drinks, packaged coffees

Starbucks says the price increases will be focused on big and labor-intensive drinks. It isn't saying which drinks, or how much they're going up. (I suspect that some of you out there have details; please share them!) Read "Starbucks plans price increases on some drinks" || Read Starbucks' press release

Comments

[Is Pike a Bold?]

nice! Noe some GRANDE drinks will be over 5 bucks.

by the way, when Pike first came out in 2008 it WAS listed as Medium in all of our literature with a Bold flavor. There is a difference.

[Darth Sidamo.]

If you think the comments on this page can get bad, you should read the ones on that page. That is good proof that sometimes throwing the widest net possible is not a good strategy.

Hopefully this price increase will mean something like a cost of living raise, keeping up the upgrading of equipment, or increasing labor. A price increase can sometimes be a good thing if it improves the product in the end. Lets hope this just isnt a new lining of the pockets.

[ash_sk8s]

This is getting frustrating. It's getting really expensive to go to Starbucks! Somehow I doubt the baristas will see any of this, whether it be through wage increases or labor increases.

[Is Pike a Bold?]

but you know -- until I see more info on this, I am simply going to sigh and move on..

it will probably be a region by region roll-out hitting each area so that nationally there isn't a huge breaking news. I hope that this is how it's done at least if they must do this. They did it last time -- it was a lot less painful...

[meg9]

I've been going to starbucks since 93, but over the last year, I've really cut down my visits. Not having variety in their drip coffee offerings is the biggest reason.
I actually had McDonald's coffee this morning (because it came with the mcmuffin meal I bought) and the coffee was MUCH better than Pike's Place. I'm a bold coffee girl, so it wasn't anything like a cup of Sumatra, but I definitely would have picked it over Pikes Place.

Do you think Starbucks will turn this around? Or just keep walking in the same direction? I probably spent 50 bucks in Starbucks this year instead of the 500 bucks I spent last year ( and that 500 - 700 dollars was probably my yearly average for at least 8 years)

[Christinschu]

NYC isn't seeing any increases.

It's region by region.

[Christinschu]

I mean come one, a tall coffee is still only 1.50 in some areas.

That is nearly a gas station price!

[Jason Coffee]

From what I heard from reading some recent articles. Starbucks said they have no plans in the immediate future to raise prices on coffee. But a lot can change in a few days especially in today's coffee market with coffee prices fluctuating so rapidly from 1.30 per lb to 1.90 per lb for green coffee.

Does anyone get roasted coffee anywhere other than Starbucks? Have you noticed a price increase per lb with your roaster?

Jason Coffee
Coffee Cup News

[A Non eMoose]

Again?! Good grief. I'm sure corporate will providing us with some useful tips on what to say to extremely irate customers when this hits, like "I'm sorry, would you like to buy some Via to go with that?"

[livin' la VIA loca]

they need to raise the price on the coffee travelers....those are more labor intensive than fraps & use more paper goods/packaging than it would for single serve drinks yet cost the same

(in my area $12 + tax for 8-talls or 12-shorts = $1.50 or $1 each)

and maybe if they added a VIA travler listing to the Coffee & More Menu board- not just rely on in-store display or barista suggestion- it would help VIA sales, serve customers plus be a less labor option (wow- a win/win/win!)

[Datedotit]

Pikes Place is disgusting. At my store customers only want coffee is it isn't Pikes (which some of my customers actually call "Pukes Place"). Why we don't use "House Blend" as our "House" coffee is beyond me...

[THERE WAS NEVER AN S]

IT'S PIKE PLACE!!!!!!!!!!! NO "S"!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PIKE PLACE MARKET, PIKE PLACE ROAST!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!

[JavaJunk]

I think that the price of coffee should change like the cost of produce and gas as crops change, experience issues and now seems to be going up for all companies interested in a piece of the pie. I went to a coffee shop (non bux) and found a sign that informed the customer their supplier has also raised prices due to increasing prices of beanage.. I paid 5.60 for a tall soy pumpkin latte. So consider starbucks isn't the only company doing this.

[Melody]

Cost cutting - Facilities outsourced, Customer Contact Center now outsourced as of tomorrow morning, offer just one coffee same coffee all the time, drink and coffee prices going up...Is anyone other than shareholders _really_ reaping the benefits of these changes? Sigh.

I still wish for more labor on the floor with all this saved money, but people are sooo expensive. That's why so many cost cutting measures cut people. Labor and partner benefits are expensive to pay.

[Dave]

Pike's Place tastes burned to me. I believe that they over roast the beans. I have found a Caribou Coffee shop about 10 miles from where I live, and I do prefer their coffee over Starbucks. I like the Frappuccino that SBUX make, but that's all. When they prepare decaf at SBUX they use a french press, I prefer drip coffee. They can't invest in a four cup drip machine? Or even a one cup dripper? Those are available. Saving money is fine, but at the expense of "burned" tasting coffee? Buying rejected roast burned coffee beans and using a french press is why they've lost us as customers once again. Now their going to up the price on the frozen drinks from $5 to whatever they feel like? By-By Starbucks!

[Darth Sidamo.]

Our coffee is too dark for you yet all you drink is a fat filled, sugar laden, instant coffee bearing frappuccino? Maybe its not the coffee that is too dark. Maybe you just do not like coffee. Thirty years ago coffee was the only choice for people that wanted caffeine. Some did not like the taste so they mask it with enough milk and sugar to open a Hostess store. There are other caffeine options now. Might I suggest a Red Bull?

If they truly are making your decaf with a french press you should thank them. The quality is much better. If you want coffee from an urn so bad then wait. Its three minutes. Any order in America at a fast food place takes on average three minutes.

Anyways Dave if you are truly leaving Sbux I added a link (click on my name) to show you where to find lighter roasted coffees. You're welcome.

[Karl Dahlquist]

They should charge a buck more for all that caramel people want on the sides of their frapps.

[Jim Romenesko]

Agree, a "sin tax."

[baristamclane]

The most labor-intensive beverage at Starbucks (in my opinion) doesn't even have coffee in it...THE VIVANNO!!!

I did read an article recently about the price of green arabica beans being at an all-time high, and that Starbucks was going to absorb the cost by not raising prices. I guess not...

[baristamclane]

Darth, not to sound like a creeper, but I heart you!

[Darth Sidamius]

We're no strangers to love, you know the rules and so do I. You can heart me all you want. Definitely not creepy.

[Melody (@Darth Sidamo)]

It's not quite "love", but I get a kick out of the Rick Astley video in your name. Never going to give you up! Thanks!

[erstwhile]

Pike Place Roast only exists because it's cheap and in quick supply. Starbucks didn't introduce it because "Customers want the same cup of coffee every day." They brought it around because it saves them millions of dollars a year, plain and simple. Especially considering this latest bit of news on the prices of green coffee.

Sadly, the reason behind this price hike seems to indicate that we can't hope to see a cost of living raise any time soon. Last one was in 2006...but the shot callers aren't likely to introduce another price hike to support a pay raise like they did back then.

[inkedmuse]

ah yes. i hate the extra caramel people. especially on macchiatos. not that i really care for more than a handful of our customers anymore anyway. but here's a thought, if you want a drink that is caramel flavored, get one with caramel syrup in it! i don't put extra caramel sauce. i refuse. you want more caramel, here's some caramel syrup. have a great day. im not going to cramp my hand up becuase you think you need a half cup of caramel drizzle on your fat thighs.

[crema_the_crop]

Does anyone have the ability to procure information regarding the true sourcing/origin of Pike Place Roast? The store-level literature I've come across lists it as a "specialty roast" and that it's a "blend" of Latin American coffees. My bet is on Vietnam.

[JavaJunk]

Crema.. That's a great question!! If you ever find out let us know, I think it's kinda weird they don't list the specific origins anywhere on the bag. Most estates or farms would probably love a shout out. I think shade grown Mexico is the only one bc it talks about the Chiapas rainforest reserve it's grown on.

[Presto!]

When I started working for Sbux they already were just serving Pikes Place. I didn't really go that often so I didn't know that muc about the actual stores. I was saddened.

Darth Sidamo is my hero, I've been saying that for almost the entire time I've worked for sbux. I have a handful of customers that simply do not like coffee. I can't stand it when they pour coffee into the trash can at the condiment bar. I just wanna go to a party at their house and return the favor and see how they like cleaning up huge spills.

[otterinthewater]

Cost-of-living increase... Yeah don't hold your breath, kids. I'd probably wet myself in surprise.

Though it would have been nice in this "Year of the Partner," though as I predicted, that was a load of bs- what has happened beyond ultimately less-pricy (and easily non-renewable) for a corporation 401k and stock optiony stuff?

Oh wait, I shouldn't think I deserve more money because I'm a menial and other folk have to deal with salary freezes.

[Darth Sidamo.]

I am my hero as well. In all honesty I am not saying all coffee in the world must be enjoyed black. To some cream and sugar definitely can compliment the taste of coffee. Key word is compliment.

I would love a world where you buy different sizes of ketchup and have french fries to dip your ketchup in. But some things in life cannot be, and my store that sells only condiments will never take off.

I would also like to know where pike place is grown. My guess is Mexico or Thailand. Those are the only two countries that we would not brag about our coffee coming from.

[hearbutloud]

I imagine Pike Place is a rotating blend of whatever Latin American coffees didn't make it into a real coffee.

Darth Sidamo, I watched that whole damn video and enjoyed it thoroughly (and giggled, too).

Shift.Misto - words right out of my mouth. My poor hands. I've sprained my right thumb a few times on those "extra" caramel drinks.

I am just tired of having the expectations raised and the resources lowered. It's just coffee. Starbucks has made it much more stressful than it should be. It would be nice to see this raise in prices turn into increased labor, but considering the new bar-method rollout, Starbucks seems to be backing down on labor even further. And they're already blaming the increase on the price of beans, so, I doubt we'll see any change beyond a dip.

[Will]

LOL @ "Year of the Partner"

I guess increasing our paycheck deductions for healthcare by ONLY 2 dollars is something we should be thankful for -- a year after they jacked it up by ~10

[adoubleshotofclarity]

Will, go take a look at what healthcare actually costs. Starbucks gets charged more for your insurance, so they pay more, and you pay more too. The company isn't reducing their contribution and making you pay more... It's absorbing some of the cost and asking you to do your part at the same time.

[Will]

Not true. The reason for raising it last year was because they wanted partners to contribute a greater share. Howard said it in his address.

The cost of personal days didn't go up, either, they slashed them for profit's sake.

[Nancy Luna]

If you hear of any price hikes in SoCal, let me know. HEre's what Starbucks told me about the price increases...Also tall price going down: http://fastfood.ocregister.com/2010/09/27/starbucks-to-raise-coffee-prices-on-some-drinks/74694/

[Feel So Good]

"Starbucks said it plans to lower the price in “most markets” of a tall brewed coffee, which normally sells for $1.50."

thats good to hear. it might make me come back to sbux since McDonalds small coffee is like $1

[SBux_Girl]

Prices are going up in my district for sure, we just don't know when they'll roll out. My guess is mid-November when we have to switch out the menu boards for the holiday season anyway.

[inopethflames]

i went to starbucks today and instead of the normal $3.55 for a venti iced latte its now $3.90, & with tax like $4.17. they raised it $.35, what a joke! thats gotta be the biggest price increase they've had for a particular drink, at least that i can think of offhand. before with my gold card i usually get the venti flavored of some kind iced latte and it was about $3.80 with tax, now that its over $4, thats ridiculous. i have been and will continue to not go to starbucks as much as i have the past year or 2.

and i think its absolutely ridiculous they now charge like $.25 more for the pumpkin and seasonal drinks than the highest normal priced lattes. thats ridiculous. it used to be the same price as the highest priced lattes, now its a quarter more. thats just greedy & dumb. theres on reason to pay a quarter more just because the syrup is a different flavor. a venti iced pumpkin latte is like $4.96 with tax now, thats ridiculous.

[Hipsterdufus]

rediculous rediculous rediculous! lmao.

it's not that rediculous? do you own a business? you'd be doing the same thing if you were in the same situation.

As far as I know promo drinks ahve always been more expensive than normal flavored drinks! That's one reason why they're so important for us to push.

[Smelliot]

Let me tell you what is ridiculous...people that were already blowing wads of cash, daily or several times daily, on their giant sized drinks and suddenly have a heart attack over thirty five cents. Who cares when a you already spend 500 bucks a month on coffee? Try a smaller size and give n not being a glutton/whiner a try.

[CJKB]

Long time customer, year old partner, first time commentator,

Does anyone know what has happened to Ethiopia Sidamo? My favorite. I couldn't care less about my markout now that it's gone...