Starbucks wants the world and it wants it NOW.

[devilgrrl]

Starbucks wants 40,000 stores worldwide, up from 12,000 now

SEATTLE — Starbucks (SBUX) stock jumped Friday, a day after the company set a new long-term goal to have 40,000 coffee stores worldwide, 10,000 more than its previous target and more than triple the current number.

Starbucks also announced at an analyst meeting in its hometown of Seattle a deal to feature the music it sells in its stores on Apple Computer's (AAPL) iTunes online music service.

The coffee retailer did not give a timeline for its long-term growth plans but said it expects to have more than 14,000 stores worldwide by the close of its fiscal year in the fall of 2007. There are currently about 12,000 Starbucks stores worldwide.

Starbucks said half of the eventual 40,000 stores will be outside the United States. The company said Thursday that it plans to expand into Brazil, Egypt, Russia and India by the end of next year, giving Starbucks a presence in 40 countries.

"We've seen the Starbucks experience become universally accepted around the world," Starbucks Chief Executive Jim Donald told analysts and journalists.

Starbucks said late Wednesday that sales at stores open at least 13 months increased 6% the five weeks ended Oct. 1, compared with the period ended Oct. 2, 2005. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had predicted same-store sales would increase 3.3%.

more: http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2006-10-05-starbucks-growth_x.htm?csp=34

[mtnester]

1. Sigh..if only their coffee was better

Now their current pumpkin spice latte is good, but their coffee always (to me anyway) seems to be so damn bitter.

I prefer our local Cup O Joe and Stauf's.

[Richard D]

10. It's because they over-roast it.

Burnt beans. Not good at all, but it does make it stronger tasting.

[Squatch]

19. I find their coffee strangely addictive.

I loves me some iced coffee in the summer.

[npincus]

20. LUV their coffee

yum yum yum yum yum yum

[Donnachaidh]

2. I have to laugh at all the morons who pay almost 4 bucks

for a cup of coffee. Are you frigging nuts?

[Atman]

4. I have to laugh at people who think Starbucks coffee costs fours bucks.

1.89 for a large coffee, no different (maybe less) than a cup of dishwater from Dunkin "Carlyle Group" Donuts. Slam. Dunk.

[Donnachaidh]

6. I have to laugh at anyone who BUYS coffee at ridiculous prices

and then thinks it's a slam dunk, discussing ridiculous prices.

[Atman]

17. Oh, puhleeze.

An 11 oz. "pound" of Folger's is both ridiculously expensive for what you get, and just plain awful! Some people don't really care about coffee, it is just part of the routine, like the morning piss or brushing your teeth. Some don't appreciate fine Scotch whiskey, either (me included). Just different tastes, I suppose. Neither is right or wrong.

Still, every day I grind fresh coffee beans for my morning joe. I have no real preference in where they come from (except that it will never come from Dunkin "Carlyle Group" Donuts), but Trader Joes and Starbucks seem to have the best selection of blends and special beans, imho. I pour the fresh coffee into a thermos, then repeat the process with decaf beans for my wife. The coffee is great, but man, it is a process! Every now and then, it is well worth the $1.89 for me to have someone else do the work for me.

Life's rich tapestry.



HOO Cares!

.

[customerserviceguy]

5. Just about any food

you buy in a restaurant, you can make cheaper at home. Some folks like the atmosphere, and not having to clean up the mess. A coffee shop is a great first date, if people find they are interested, they can linger, and if not, then the date's over in the time it takes to down a cup.

Nice thing about Starbucks is that they don't rush you out of there, you can sit awhile and talk with people, or read if you like. You're buying the surroundings of the place, as well as coffee.

[Atman]

22. Starbucks is a meeting place, ironically, like an old-fash'ned coffee shop

It is a great, relaxed place to meet clients. I've done so several times. They're a familiar landmark in many locales, and people seem to be able to relax there. You can stay as long as you want in their nice comfy chairs and talk business, read a paper, whatever. What other retailer will let you hang out for an hour and a half behind a $2 purchase?

[TahitiNut]

11. Indeed. It doesn't make sense, like smearing dirt on one's face

... and grease on one's lips and calling it "cosmetic." After all, that's STYLE! :puke:

[DBoon]

12. Why?

Starbucks coffee is much cheaper than a margarita at my favorite Mexican restaurant.

Such a deal.

[NoPasaran]

18. Yeah, but usually Mexican restaurants have free chips & salsa n/t

[DBoon]

23. All right, you win

I owe you a drink

[Atman]

3. Apple and Starbucks in one post! Let the flame war begin!

I like 'em both, unapologetically.

:popcorn:

[bryant69]

7. Maybe we should just give it to them

I mean it's not like the current owners are doing such a bang up job.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[MsKandice01]

8. I've always said it was Walmart who was trying to take over the world

But Starbucks is definitely giving them a run for their money. Now, when they start putting Starbucks in Walmart, I'll know that we're pretty much screwed.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

14. At least Starbucks generally takes care of it's employees, is a liberal

company, and the individual stores sponsor a lot of community service events within the community AND get the public involved with them.

I'd much rather them take over the world than Walmart.

[SmokingJacket]

9. Every time I go into a Starbucks, I think I'm going to die of boredom.

Do they *all* have to feel/look/sound/smell IDENTICAL?? Sitting in a starbucks is not like being in a place -- it's like visiting a website.

Yeah, let's have more -- then everyone on earth can live an IDENTICAL life!!

[Ron Green]

13. I don't know which is the worse drug -

coffee or the sameness of the American life. Starbucks is pushing both - one to wake you up, the other to keep you from waking up.

[Iwasthere]

15. Back 1980(s) or so I used to go to Torrefazion Italia and if I remember...

....right Starbucks had one little shop and it was bad... I have fond memories of getting a TRUE Machiatto at Torrefazionne on Front street where the italians where really entertaining while using the old hand machines in the tiny shop. I miss that. No one will ever be able to have those kind of fond memories about Starbucks... so sterile. I opened several espresso carts in Salem Oregon and owned a business selling carts too in the early 90s. None of my customers gave Starbucks a good rating.

[Rocknrule]

16. Only 12000 worldwide?

I thought thats how many they have in Colorado alone

[npincus]

21. they treat their employees GREAT: health insurance for PT workers!

The CEO is a really decent fellow.