July 30th, 2008 The Starbucks Brand is Struggling
OK, This has nothing to do with the bad experience I had in Starbucks yesterday – or indeed should I say things I have observed pretty regularly lately. I have noticed a definate decline in their customer service levels. Yesterday I had to wait 10 minutes for a drink – after having to remind them. I was then offered a free coupon – and after the staff searched high and low they could not find them. It reminded me of how Starbucks staff would bend over backwards for you 10 years ago.
Well this personal experience aside I read today that they are closing 61 of 87 stores in Australia. This came after the news that they are closing 600 stores in the US.
Perhaps this is an effort to get their affairs in order after a period of expansion that seemed excessive. Time will tell as to how successful they will be.
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