Starbucks' Blue Light specials?

[marmar]

via Yahoo!:



Starbucks offers afternoon drink deal nationwide
Tuesday August 5, 12:23 am ET
By Lauren Shepherd, AP Business Writer
Starbucks looks to entice value-seeking consumers, offers afternoon drink discount nationwide


NEW YORK (AP) -- Looking to bring more value-seeking consumers through its doors for a late afternoon caffeine fix, Starbucks Corp. said it will now offer its morning customers any iced grande beverage for $2 after 2 p.m.

The price is a big cut from the normal price of most grande-sized iced drinks. A grande iced latte, for example, costs about $4. To get the discount, customers must present a receipt from their morning Starbucks visit.

The promotion was previously only offered in Seattle, Chicago and Miami. The company said it is taking it nationwide beginning Tuesday to answer consumers' calls for more value at the chain, which has seen traffic drop as gas prices rise and consumer spending falters. It runs until Sept. 2.

"I think we've kind of hit the nail on the head," said Brad Stevens, vice president of customer relationship management. "It's easy for baristas to implement and it's easy for customers to understand."

The move to expand the afternoon iced drinks promotion comes after Starbucks said last week it would offer more "value" in its fall and holiday offerings. In a conference call with investors, Chief Executive Howard Schultz said the company may offer deals to consumers who use Starbucks customer cards. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080805/starbucks_2_iced_drinks.html

[bdf]

1. What a weasel way to say

"Our product is greatly overpriced. So much so that we'd still be profitable if we dropped the price to half what it is now. But you suckers used to enjoy paying inflated prices, so we haven't done it before."

The problem with businesses that cater to people wishing to display conspicuous consumption is that they're the first to hit troubles when the economy tanks.

[Dreamer Tatum]

2. Makes you wonder how many stores could stay open

if they didn't insist on a 50% margin on a cup of fucking coffee.

[Missy Vixen]

3. We live in the Seattle area

I've taken advantage of the $2 drink in the afternoon before. I especially enjoy the blended lemonade.

Starbucks is a big splurge for me, but I'd rather spend my dollars with a company that provides health insurance for part-time employees and an educational benefit.

Julie

[lumberjack_jeff]

4. If you agree to pay the 100% morning surcharge, you can get regular price in the afternoon.

Right. I'll continue to bring coffee from home thankyouverymuch.