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Coffee Shop Industry A Strategic Analysis PDF
Coffee Shop Industry A Strategic Analysis PDF
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Institution / College
Katz- Graduate School of Business - Pittsburgh/ USA
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Table of content
Table of content 2
1. Definition of Industry 4
4.1 Expansion/Growth 12
4.3 Collaboration/Partnership 13
4.4 Image/Lifestyle 13
4.5 Technology 14
5.1 Starbucks 16
5.2 McDonald’s 17
6.2 Technology 21
6.4 Cooperation 22
7.3. Conclusion 26
8. Appendix 27
1. Definition of Industry
Coffee consumption is highest in the Northeast, where over 60 percent of the population consumed coffee daily in 2005,
according to the National Coffee Association (NCA). Per capita consumption is highest in the Central U.S., where coffee
drinkers average 3.7 cups per day 1 . Major products sold by coffee shops include beverages as well as complimentary food
items. Beverages include brewed coffee and tea; espresso drinks (cappuccinos, cafe lattes); cold blended beverages; bottled
water; soft drinks; and juices. Food products include pastries, bakery items, desserts, sandwiches, and candy. Many coffee
shops sell whole or ground coffee beans for home consumption. Some coffee shops sell coffee or espresso-making equipment,
grinders, mugs, and other accessories. Most coffee shops serve high-quality, premium coffee known as specialty coffee.
1
First Research Industry Profile, http://www.firstresearch.com/, December 28,2006
2
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m4021/is_2001_June_1/ai_76579399
Coffee shops depend greatly on customer traffic and are most often located in areas with convenient access for pedestrians or
drivers. Typical locations include downtown or suburban retail centers, shopping malls, office buildings, and university
campuses. Store format and size vary by site, as some locations offer more space than others. Caribou Coffeehouses range
from 200 to 3,000 square feet, with an average store 1,200 to 1,600. For small spaces like airports and grocery stores, some
chains offer a kiosk format, without seating.
Retail prices for coffee shop beverages vary. The retail price for an espresso-based drink can exceed $4. Due to the cost
volatility of green coffee and dairy, retail prices often fluctuate. A pound of roasted coffee beans may retail for between $10
and $20. A pound of high-end or “reserve” coffee, like some Peet’s coffees, can retail for between $50 and $80 per pound 3 .
Coffee shops depend highly on part-time employees, and most workers require few skills. Many employees make just above
the minimum wage, and pay can be significantly below the average for all U.S. workers. Starting wages for Starbucks’
employees are about $8 an hour. Some Starbucks’ employees are forming unions to negotiate better wages, hours, and
benefits. A typical chain coffee shop may have one manager and 10 to 15 workers; independents have six to seven. New
employees may go through training courses and receive in-store training to ensure superior customer service and product
consistency. Master roasters oversee coffee roasting to develop trademark blends and flavors. Baristas receive training to
operate commercial grade espresso machines used to make specialty drinks.
Sales are seasonal, with a peak during fourth quarter, driven by the winter holiday. In addition, poor weather can affect sales
by decreasing store traffic. For large companies, inventory amounts to between 40 and 80 days sales. Accounts receivable runs
between 20 and 30 days sales, mainly due to commercial customers. Accounts payable runs between 30 and 60 days sales.
Companies may use contracts to buy green coffee and dairy products. Gross margins range between 40 and 60 percent, and
higher commercial sales tend to decrease margins. Chains use comparable store sales to measure growth.
3
First Research Industry Profile, http://www.firstresearch.com, December 28,2006
Most companies lease store locations for a fixed term. Rent for coffee shops in malls may include a fee for shared area
maintenance. Companies compete for prime locations, sometimes with other retailers, and negotiating power may be limited.
Chains periodically close underperforming stores, and set aside a reserve for remaining lease payments.
Franchise and license agreements typically include an upfront fee, payments or royalties based on percentage of sales, and
renewal options. Master license agreements may allow licensees to grant sublicenses to third parties within a territory.
3.1 Competition within the Coffee Shop Industry 20,000 stores with annual revenue of ~ $11 billion
Highly concentrated at top and fragmented at bottom - Starbucks ~ 75% of sales
Major companies: Starbucks, Caribou Coffee, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Diedrich (Gloria
Competitors can also be found in other industries (convenience stores, gas stations, quick
service, fast food restaurants, gourmet food shops, donut shops, filter ~ / specialty coffee
music, comfortable seating areas, short waiting queues), loyalty programs (bonus cards
ensuring frequency of visits) and for premium locations (retail centers, university campuses,
etc.)
Strong competition within the industry for new customers, premium locations, etc. but overall the industry is saturated, settled
and stable which allows almost all of the competitors to yield very good margins (40 to 60 percent) 4
4
First Research Industry Profile: Coffee Industry
Competition with other products, people are spending their money on:
Consumers have limited discretionary budget to spend on consumer goods, such as cigarettes,
beer and also coffee; coffee shops are therefore fighting for a fraction of this budget
Very strong power of substitute products as especially young people might prefer other products, such as beer, cigarettes or
soda
However there are high entry barriers for the specialty level or big league/chain players
5
http://www.espressobusiness.com
6
Isabel Isidro, Learning from Starbucks: 10 Lessons for Small Businesses, http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol144/starbucks.htm, Oct.
5, 2004.
Small barriers to entry for small regional chains / cafés, but their expansion is relatively slow due to the increasing speed of
the expansion of the major players
High barriers to entry into the industry for big players due to high industry concentration on top, huge brand recognition of
major brands and high up-front investments are needed
For most coffee-exporting countries (over 60 ) that is their only “source of cash” 8
Higher world market demand and higher prices for differentiated (Gourmet and specialty
coffees) and sustainable coffee (organic, fair trade, eco-friendly or shade grown) than for
coffee commodity:
Very limited power of suppliers as they depend on producer’s help and sell a commodity.
7
First Research Industry Profile: Coffee Industry.
8
First Research Industry Profile: Coffee Industry.
9
Minimum Price of $1.26 per pound; farmers are given credits by companies - source: Mergent Coffee Industry, Aug. 2006,
10
Mergent Coffee Industry, Aug. 2006, at 4.
10
Preferences of customers are very likely to switch as they might get bored with / tired of the
Very strong power of customers as coffee shops depend on word of mouth and customer retention Furthermore a customer’s
opinion, preferences and shopping habits can be influenced easily which creates a big threat for the companies.
11
First Research Industry Profile: Coffee Industry.
11
4.1 Expansion/Growth
A significant driver in the coffee shop industry is growth in the form domestic and international expansion. The key channel of
distribution in this industry is “company-operated stores located in high-traffic, high visibility centers,” and industry
competition is structured around vying for market share by opening new retail shops in cities around the world. 12 Starbucks,
for example, opens on average three stores a day and has already made significant inroads into countries like Japan, the UK,
Australia, the Middle East and Latin America. Such expansion is considered the number one growth driver for the company
which plans to grow from 12,000 stores to 30,000 stores in 10 years. 13 Dunkin Donuts has responded to this challenge by
stating its plans to grow from approximately 4,400 stores to 15,000 in the same period, Caribou Coffee has confronted
Starbucks in the international arena and now has a store in Dubai. 14
Equally critical to the structure of the coffee industry has been the role of service innovation. An example of such innovation
which has been hugely successful was the introduction of SVCs -store value cards.
12
Youngme Moon and John Quelch, Starbucks: Delivering Customer Service, Harvard Business Review, July 10, 2006 at 3.
13
Dunkin' Donuts Escalates Java Wars, MarketPlace, marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2006/09/05/PM200609058.html.
14
Id.
15
Starbucks: Delivering Customer Service at 8.
12
Starbucks, Caribou Coffee and Peet’s Coffee now offer customers pre-paid cards which not only shorten transaction times for
customers but can also bring in new customers via gift cards and supply stores with valuable customer data. Schultz, CEO of
Starbucks, has called this innovation “the most significant product innovation since Frappuccino.” 16
Service innovation is also impacting the industry in that companies are now required to offer a diverse set of services
including music, drive-through services and newspapers to stay competitive. For example, to compete with Starbucks’ alliance
with T-Mobile which offers wireless capabilities to its customers, Caribou now offers free wireless Internet access (for up to
an hour) to its customers. 17
4.3 Collaboration/Partnership
A further critical driver, which ties into the industry’s focus on growth and product/service innovation, has been collaboration
and partnership. Starbucks was the first to realize the benefits of partnering when it reached out to powerhouse brands like
Pepsi, Barnes and Noble, Nordstrom, Kraft and United Airlines to create new products, reach new customers and enter new
channels of distribution like grocery, cruise lines and the airline industry. Caribou has followed suit and partnered with
General Mills to produce a breakfast bar, USAToday to provide a news services to its customers, and most recently,
Coca-Cola, to directly compete with Starbucks ready-to-drink iced coffees. 18 (See exhibit 2 regarding major competitors and
their partners.) These alliances, in short, allow for innovation, channel extension and even geographic extension (in the case of
Starbucks’ alliance with Japanese retailer Sazaby.) 19
4.4 Image/Lifestyle
Additionally this industry is increasingly impacted by consumer’s perception of what a brand stands for. When Starbucks was
first created, its CEO’s vision was to create a “third place” for Americans. Americans already spent considerable time at home
and work and his vision was to provide a third place for Americans to not only drink coffee but to invest significant personal
time. For this reason, industry marketing efforts are closely tied the image/lifestyle projected by the chain. For example, in an
effort to respond to Starbucks’ dominance, several competitors have attempted to differentiate themselves from the “upscale,
pseudo-European” store by projecting
16
Stanley Holmes, Starbucks’ Card Smarts, BusinessWeek, March 12, 2002.
17
Caribou Coffee Offers Free Wi-Fi Service For Customers, Bus. Wire, Aug. 28, 2006.
18
Coke and Caribou Join Forces to Sell Line of Coffee Drinks, Atlanta Bus. Chronicle, Nov. 30, 2006.
19
John D. Cook, Tammy Halevy, and C. Brent Hastie, Alliances in Consumer Goods, The McKinsey Quarterly, 2003 No. 3.
13
different lifestyle brands. Caribou Coffee, for example, projects a more rugged image via its stores’ mostly wooden interiors
which feel like “an Alaskan lodge.” 20 Further, the corporation promulgated its alternative lifestyle by associating itself with
Apple during its 2006 "Wake Up and Smell the Music" promotion. Caribou’s CEO described the partnership as synergistic due
to the fact that “We're both challenger brands.” 21
Additionally, it is believed that Dunkin’ Donuts recent success has been tied to consumers’ perception of the chain standing for
simplicity and value. As Starbucks’ prices continue to climb and many of its coffee processes become automated, one industry
expert noted “it's hard now to know what Starbucks stands for….That isn't a problem with Dunkin' Donuts.” 22 Even further,
Peet’s Coffee niche has been tied to delivering a super premium brand, via mostly whole bean coffee, and selectively opening
stores to ensure that the company is “not another Starbucks.” 23 In close, the image consciousness of this industry will
continue to drive marketing efforts as well as other areas such as product and service selection as players differentiate their
brand.
4.5 Technology
A further driving force is the role of technology. Line management is a significant issue for coffee houses as often the demand
is concentrated in the early mornings. For example, Starbucks has been able to achieve customer service efficiency by
introducing automatic espresso machines. According to Michelle Gass, Chief Merchant of Global Product, Starbucks,
efficiency is a key driver in customer satisfaction as customers “want their beverage in under three minutes.” 24 Interestingly,
however, it appears these efficiencies must be balanced with creating a mystique around the coffee experience and having an
awareness of the consumers’ price-value ratio. For example, Starbucks customers, who pay a premium for coffee, seem to
miss the elaborate process of brewing and drink creation. Starbucks’ CEO recently expressed a concern that the brand was
becoming “watered down” and such gains in efficiency threatened to commoditize the brand. 25 Dunkin Donuts, however, has
seen less resistance to its technological innovations as its products are generally cheaper and its brand is tied to simplicity. For
example, rather than relying on baristas to create its new line of espresso-based drinks, Dunkin’ Donuts hired an expert to
design an “idiot proof $8,000” machine which makes cappuccinos in less than a minute and at a lower price
20
Starbucks: Delivering Customer Service at 6-7.
21
Coffee CEO Podcast Relays Power of Branding and Music, PRNewswire-FirstCall, March 16, 2006.
22
Tom Van Riper, Dunkin' Donuts Edges Starbucks, Forbes.com, Feb. 27, 2007.
23
Blanca Torres, Peet's Future is Percolating, Contra Costa Times, March 8, 2007.
24
Nicola Groom, Exec says Starbucks Strategy Unchanged, Reuters, March 7, 2007.
25
Id..
14
than competitors. One customer noted that both the Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts’ drinks taste good “but Starbucks takes too
long.” 26
Finally technology is impacting this industry in the form of increasingly sophisticated home brewing machines which are able
to at least replicate, if not beat, the quality of coffee prepared at many of these stores. 27 Though it is unclear of the impact of
these machines on the coffee players, this is an area of increased growth and one for these competitors to monitor.
26
William C. Symonds, A Java Jolt For Dunkin' Donuts, BusinessWeek, Dec. 20, 2004.
27
Coffee-US, Euromonitor International: Country Sector Briefing, Aug. 2006 at 9.
15
5.1 Starbucks
Starbucks, the world’s number one coffee retailer, has over 13,000 coffee shops in more than 35 countries. The outlets offer
coffee drinks, food items, beans, coffee accessories and teas. Starbucks owns about 17,500 of its shops, which are located in
about 10 countries (mostly in the U.S.) while licensees and franchisees operate the remaining outlets. Starbucks does 78% of
its store volume in beverages, with 12% in food, and 5% in whole beans. 28 The company does not compete on price but rather
on the complete experience customers get while visiting the coffee shop. Embracing its value beyond extraordinary coffee,
Starbucks tries to make a business out of human connections, and celebration of diversity and culture. 29
Starbucks focuses its retail selection on the “best places in town” and its outlets can be found in the centre of almost every
famous city in the world ranging from Cologne to Los Angeles. As mentioned, the firm focuses on high-traffic, high-visibility
locations. While Starbucks selectively locates stores in shopping malls, it tries to focus on places that provide convenient
access for pedestrians and drivers. 30
Starbucks’ strategy
Starbuck’s overall goal is to establish its brand as one of the most recognized and respected ones in the world. Therefore the
enterprise plans to continue the rapid expansion of its retail ~ and grow its specialty operations and to selectively pursue other
opportunities to leverage the brand through the introduction of new products and the development of new channels of
distribution. 31 In continuance with its history of partnerships, Starbucks and Concord Music Group announced on March 12 th
of this year the formation of a new record label “Hear Music” which will distribute recordings at Starbucks locations. This
partnership is another step in Starbucks’ entertainment strategy that links to the company’s focus on atmosphere and image. 32
28
Article: It’s not about the Doughnuts; http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/89/dunkin-donuts.html; December 2004
29
In February 2007 Howard Schultz (Starbucks’ chairman) wrote a memo to top company managers of the company that soon became
public. He lamented the cumulative effect of company decisions associated with expansion: more efficient automatic machines that
diminish the “romance and theatre” of the earlier-era and block the visual sight line the customer previously had for the intimate
30
Starbucks’ Financial Statements 2004.
31
Starbucks’ Financial Statement 2004.
32
Starbucks’ Homepage; www.starbucks.com
16
Last fall, addressing McDonald’s attempts to lure customers away, Starbucks announced its plans to offer hot breakfast
sandwiches in an appeal to fans of the Egg McMuffin and establish them also in the breakfast and afternoon snack segment. 33
.
5.2 McDonald’s
McDonalds (which history began in 1954) is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than 30,000 local restaurants
serving nearly 50 million people in more than 119 countries each day. 34 In 2006 the company reached a record high of $21.6
billion in revenues. McDonalds competes on price, ubiquity, convenience, service and through offering quality food products.
Besides hamburgers McDonalds is also proud on its hot coffee and believes that the high temperature (brewed at 195-205°F)
is a major reason for the billion cups sold per year for $1.35 each. 35 McDonald’s’ strategy
Recent strategic changes within McDonald’s are increasing its potential for rivalry with pure coffee house retailers like
Caribou and Starbucks. First, McDonald’s improved the quality of its coffee and launched a premium roast version on March
6 th 2006. 36 Furthermore McDonalds is looking into “day-parts” penetration as a growth strategy. While currently owning the
breakfast segment the company wants to take over the afternoon segment. 37 That is also the reason why, on March 1 st 2007,
McDonalds has announced that it will serve specialty coffee beverages like vanilla lattes and caramel cappuccinos at outlets
across the U.S. It is pricing espresso-based drinks between $2 and $3, undercutting Starbucks offerings. This move is
consistent with McDonald’s overall strategic shift away from its traditional burger-and-fries offerings and toward more
“upscale” food. The specialty coffee drinks will be served from push-buttons machines, which are faster than Starbucks’ labor
intense hand-made approach. 38 Even further threatening to coffee competitors is McDonald’s recent ability to increase its
service and improve its stores by slowing down its expansion and reallocating funds.
34
McDonalds’ Homepage; http://www.mcdonalds.com/corp/about.html
35
McDonalds hot coffee (www.marlerblog.com/2006/07/articles/case-news/the-truth-about-the-mcdonalds-hot-coffee-
case/); http://www.sunjournal.com/story/197302-3/National/McDonalds_java_beats_Starbucks_Dunkin_Donuts/
36
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/mar2006/nf2006031_8259_db016.htm?campaign_id=topStories_ssi_5
37
McDonalds, Starbucks Growth Strategy; (http://adelino.typepad.com/adelino_marketing/marketing_strategy/index.html)
38
“Dunkin Donuts Edges Starbucks” (http://www.forbes.com/business/2007/02/26/starbucks-dunkin-donuts-biz-
17
The company’s current plans are to widen its specialty coffee offerings and offer them on a broader basis nationally. Therefore
Procter & Gamble signed an agreement with Dunkin’ Brands on March 1 st 2007, to launch Dunkin’ Donuts coffee at U.S.
retailers (e.g. grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores). 42
Additionally Dunkin’ Brands CEO Jon Luther emphasizes the company’s strategy to be a faster, cheaper, user-friendlier
alternative to Starbucks. He is convinced that there is a market opportunity especially among a younger audience that is
enamored with Starbucks frothy beverage menu but daunted by its prices. Addressing this issue Dunkin’ Donuts installed
espresso machines in prime locations, capable of delivering inexpensive coffee in 44 seconds. The company purposely leaves
the fancy CD burning stations, mood lighting and comfortable chairs to the competition and focuses, instead, on speed. The
company tries to reach a rate of one shop to every 15,000 - 20,000 people in their target markets. According to the CEO
Dunkin’ Donuts coffee business industry is
39
“It’s not about the Doughnuts”; (http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/89/dunkin-donuts.html); December 2004.
40
“The truth about McDonalds hot coffee"; (http://www.marlerblog.com/2006/07/articles/case-news/the-truth-about-the-
41
Homepage Dunkin’ Donuts (https://www.dunkindonuts.com).
42
http://www.drinks-business-review.com/article_news.asp?guid=C0451979-6D4C-4B27-8380-EF0E2AFE0C7E
18
basically a “game” that relies on ubiquity. However, that is an important, but not the most critical, issue because high margins
in the coffee business will allow the company to buy key sites. 43 Additionally the enterprise aims at improving its level of
service and cross shop consistency in service; a goal that is especially challenging because of the franchising structure. CEO
Luther in 2003 to his 2700 franchisees: "We're changing this game, we're raising the stakes, if you don't like it, get out." 44
Caribou’s strategy
The company emphasizes the quality and freshness of their products (Coffee is packaged immediately after roasting, and it is
not sold more than 21 days after roasting or more than seven days after the opening of the package). Caribou competes by
offering a slightly different roast of coffee and a warmer, more relaxing in-store environment compared to the Starbucks shops
with a rather sleek, urban atmosphere.
The Middle East is the first region Caribou Coffee is seeking to expand internationally. The company believes that there is a
small but growing market for American branded coffee houses. 45 Another strategic approach has been to develop partnerships
with other retailers, such as Eatzi's, or building stores next to Bruegger's Bagels, Blockbuster Video and Border's Books. The
company also sells its coffee in upscale grocery stores, such as Lund's and Byerly's in the Twin Cities and Heinin's in
Cleveland. 46 Furthermore, Frontier and Maxjet airlines serve Caribou coffee, and the company recently inked a deal with Life
Time Fitness. 47
43
“It’ not about Doughnuts” (http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/89/dunkin-donuts.html); December 2004.
44
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/89/dunkin-donuts.html
45
Caribou’s Financial Statement; 2006.
47
“Grinding Out Success Next to Starbucks”;
19
Experts expect the price-value equation of the competitors to change in the future. 50
48
Id.
49
Id.
50
http://www.forbes.com/business/2007/02/26/starbucks-dunkin-donuts-biz-cx_tvr_0227starbucks.html
20
6.2 Technology
Furthermore it is important to have state-of the art technology in the shop in order to serve high quality and differentiated
products. Advantages of high level technology and machines are shorter waiting times for the customers and the ability to
create a variety of fresh, new and unique flavors. On the other hand it is essential that the level of automation and machinery is
well chosen and that there is a clear plan how to integrate the new machinery into the business. 53 Even though there is an
increase in efficiency it might mean a loss of identity and differentiation for some stores, such as Starbucks, which focuses on
a special spirit in their shops. 54
52
However many U.S. critics claim that the purportedly “premium” coffee is still significantly inferior to the coffee house beverage
they are meant to compete against. Resource: Mergent coffee industry, page 4, 11.
53
Resource: National Coffee Association of USA
54
http://www.forbes.com/business/2007/02/26/starbucks-dunkin-donuts-biz-cx_tvr_0227starbucks.html
21
be less likely to switch just based on gut feeling. Furthermore this education might motivate coffee buyers to pay a higher
price for better products. 55
6.4 Cooperation
Several companies have proven already that a key factor in the future will be the ability and willingness to cooperate with
other market participants without losing control of the business. 56 Therefore it is important to pursue a full range of alliance
opportunities: partnerships for innovation and cost reduction but also geographic expansion and co-marketing deals. 57 Finally
such partnerships might become tickets to the “global game” as Coca-Cola and Microsoft already proved.
56
These days, global corporations routinely tie up 20 percent or more of their assets in alliances. As analyzed by
McKinsey the most alliance-intensive enterprises over all industries delivered average total returns to shareholders nearly
57
Resource: Mc Kinsey Quarterly Report about the Coffee Industry
58
As the Starbucks employee, who works in an affiliate of the corporation describes in the articles, there are differences
between shops because the franchised stores buy the product and train employees differently, as compared to the stores
(www.unlvrebelyell.com/article.php?ID=9752; www.fastcompany.com/magazine/89/dunkin-donuts.html)
59
“2007 Tea and Coffee Industry Forecast” (http://www.teaandcoffee.net/1206/special.htm).
22
reach over U.S.$ 6.5 bn. Therefore the market participants should support their suppliers in providing differentiated, quality
beans and focus on business strategies that try to prevent farmers from running into debt and poverty. 60 In addition to that
companies are supposed to pay attention to the growing demand for specialty coffee, which means they have to ensure that the
right product innovations are added to the revised product portfolio at the right time. The compound annual growth rate
1992-2002 was 10% for specialty coffee and therefore over 3 times the rate of the total coffee production (2.9%). However,
shifting into the specialty segment is no panacea, since it is a rather small part of the overall market - only 7.8% of the total
production volume in 2002.
The trend of stricter regulations in the coffee industry started already, e.g. with new organic rules 61 (Appendix, Exhibit 9) and
is expected to become even more severe in the future which underlines the fact that coffee shops have to cooperate with their
suppliers in order to control the quality of their products along the value chain. Companies should participate mainly for
ethical reasons in campaigns such as “Fair Trade” (Appendix, Exhibit 9). In addition to that, if these social movements gain
more attention in the market, the companies could also benefit from the positive public relation associated with the social
commitment and engagement. 62
To sum it up, coffee shops have to target their customers effectively in terms of product portfolio, company image and
atmosphere as well as advertising and coffee shop location while paying attention to the partners along the value chain and
look out for beneficial cooperation within and between industries. 63
60
Especially the years of great surplus (60%) of coffee beans- 2002 / 2003- further drove down prices as farmers competed for the
remaining market share. Many farmers were forced to lower prices so that their sales could not cover the cost of production, beginning
a cycle of poverty and debt.
61
Organic coffee is grown without prohibited synthetic substances. The regulations require an organic plan, correct use of land and a
very strict, detailed record keeping. Retailers have to change their labels and identify their certifier. The financial load per pound could
be 2 to 4 cents up towards 17 cents for a small roaster. The organic rules went into full effect in Oct 2002. Customers will now have a
62
Fair trade is an organized social movement which promotes standards for international labour, environmentalism, and social policy
in areas related to production of Fair-trade-labelled and unlabelled goods. The movement focuses in
particular on exports from
developing countries to developed countries. “There is an undeniable and increasing interest. However, Fair-Trade
labelled coffee still only represents 1.2% of the West European market (Roel Vaessen- European Coffee Federation, Netherlands)
63
Resources: Mergent coffee industry and Mc Kinsey Quarterly report about the coffee industry
23
Consumers are expected to maintain increasing levels of coffee consumption between 2005 and 2010. U.S. coffee retail
volume sales are predicted to increase by 7% over the forecast period. Per capita consumption of total volume (retail and
foodservice) is predicted to reach 2.9kg by 2010- The espresso-based drink market is showing a 68% increase since 2000. 64
Growing demand for specialty coffee 65 : Consumption of specialty coffees has increased by 10 percent a year since the early
1990s, compared with 2 percent for the overall market. If this trend continues, demand for them could conservatively be
expected to grow by 5 percent annually—an additional 2.5 million bags by 2007. This is a very positive development as
specialty coffee might be perceived less as a commodity. Furthermore sales are generally strong. 66 (Appendix, Exhibit 1).
High margins: International coffee prices decreased dramatically over the last decade (in
1999 coffee traded at $1 U.S. per pound vs. less than 50 cents in 2001) 67 while actual selling prices of coffee did not go down
which led to increased profits in the industry. 68 Retailers earn approximately 25% of a $2 cup of coffee. 69
Popularity of the product: Coffee is the second largest commodity next to oil and more than half of the world’s adult
population drinks coffee several times a week 70 Diversity of functions of coffee shops: Coffee shops have a great potential
because they are different things to different people: place to buy a variety of coffee flavors, place to converse with
64
“It’s not about Doughnuts”; (http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/89/dunkin-donuts.html), December 2004
65
Mc Kinsey Quarterly and US Coffee report
66
Industry Forecast; (www.zapdata.com)
67
Global Trade; (http://www.videa.ca/global/money/case1.html)
68
Id.
69 Nestlé told its shareholders in 2001: "Trading profits increased, and margins improved thanks to favourable
commodity prices."
70
“Success over a cup of coffee”; (http://ezinearticles.com/?Success-Over-a-Cup-of-Coffee&id=369198);
24
friends, read a book or take a break from work. Therefore coffee shops can address a variety of issues when promoting their
outlets.
Growth potential for companies by franchising and licensing: Franchising Coffee has become a popular low-risk alternative to
setting up an independent store. Furthermore specialty coffee is the fastest growing franchise segment in America. 71
High investments to start franchise: A potential franchisee has to provide a significant amount of money in order to qualify for
opening a shop of a “high level” franchiser, such as Dunkin’ Donuts, McDonalds or Starbucks (Appendix, Exhibit 8). 72
Furthermore some chains demand individuals with a certain background, e.g. Dunkin’ Donuts specifically states on their
website that “Applicants for franchises should have a minimum of five years experience in managing people in a business
environment and strongly prefer individuals with at least three years managerial experience in a multi-unit food
service/hospitality environment.”
Rather low investment for independent coffee shops: Setting up a single and independent coffee shop, in contrast to
franchising, a significant smaller amount of capital is needed which in turn leads to low entry barriers. For opening a coffee
drive-through the investment ranges approximately from $60,000 to $250,000 while a coffee shop requires $60,000 to
$350,000. 73 Besides that eating-and-drinking places are by nature extremely labor-intensive. Sales per full-timeequivalent
employee were $57,032 in 2005 and notably lower than other industries. 74 Additionally coffee companies have to overcome
the loyalty of the customer to local coffee shops and the increasing threat posed by sophisticated home brewing machines.
More and more U.S. consumers attempt to replicate the coffee house experience at home through the purchase of premium
coffee & the equipment with which to brew it.” 75
Increasing power of substitutes: Per capita consumption of coffee dropped to about 17 gallons in 2000, down from 36 gallons
in 1970, while soft drink consumption grew from 23 to 55 gallons, over the same period - an increase of more than 140 per
cent.
71
“Eccellente Gourmet Coffee”; (www.franchiseadvantage.com/franchises/eccellente_coffee.ihtml)
72
“A Review of Dunkin’ Donuts”; (http://franchises.about.com/od/franchisedirectory/fr/Dunkin_Donuts.htm)
73
“How to start a successful coffee shop”; (http://www.espressobusiness.com/)
74
Restaurant Industry Facts, http://www.restaurant.org/research/ind_glance.cfm
75
Coffee US Report; http://www.teaandcoffee.net/1206/special.htm
25
Different drinking habits of following generations: There is a sharp jump in the number of
regular coffee drinkers between the 18- to 24 and the 25- to 34-year-olds (29 % vs. 60 %). Therefore the coffee industry needs
to address young adults and change the drinking habits as they enter the working world and establish own households. 76
Further risks of the industry: 77 Shortage in supply, or an increase in the price of coffee beans
could adversely affect net sales; Risk of fluctuations in the cost, availability and quality of non-coffee raw ingredients; Risk of
adverse public or medical opinions about the health effects of consuming certain products (caffeine, sugar etc.) that could
harm the business.
7.3. Conclusion
Based on the analysis above we conclude that the coffee shop industry is a very attractive market (high margins, growing
demand) for the companies that are already established, such as Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts, however, smaller independent
companies may not be able to compete significantly.
This strategy has commoditized its high price point product and likely will drive consumers to other competitors such as
Dunkin’ Donuts who offer a more favorable consumer price-value ratio. Therefore the other “big” market participants, who
now offer a similar experience at a lower price, will be able to increase their market share and lure away Starbucks’ customers.
76
“Grounds for a New Strategy in the coffee industry”; (www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m4021/is_2001_June_1/ai_76579399); June 2001
77
Financial Statement Caribou Coffee 2006.
26
8. Appendix
1. Trends in the coffee industry
9. Sustainable Coffee
27
78
McKinsey Report about the Coffee Industry
79
Industry Data; (www.zapdata.com)
28
Dunkin Doughnuts’ coffee was tested. The magazine proclaimed that McDonald’s beverage was the
Also in Feb 2007 marketing powerhouse Brand Keys’ latest Customer loyalty survey looked at
Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks. The result was that the former one edged out Starbucks for the first
time. A reason might be the increased level of automatic machines and bagged coffee at Starbucks
which leads to a loss in uniqueness. Customers can’t observe anymore how the coffee is handmade in
front of them.
80
“McDonald's java beats Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts”; (http://www.sunjournal.com/story/197302-
3/National/McDonalds_java_beats_Starbucks_Dunkin_Donuts/); February 2007
32
Total Investment:
Franchise Fee:
Unencumbered
Capital Required:
New restaurants:
Re-Sale:
Royalty:
• Potential franchisees have to make sure that they choose the right franchiser which means
analyzing the viability of the opportunity, the level of training and support offered to the franchisee, the track record and
financial stability of the franchisor, the success rate of the franchisees, etc.
• High level franchiser offer the franchisee a lot of help and are highly involved even after the
shop is opened. Additionally the franchisee benefits from the established brand name and business knowledge of the company.
• In turn he/she has to pay for the support by giving a certain percentage of the revenue back to
• There are downsides to franchising. Foremost is the high cost of entry. The top franchise
opportunities require considerable investment on the front end, usually more of an investment than if the entrepreneur started a
similar venture on his own. The franchisee might also be required to buy supplies from the franchisor, including inventory,
paperwork, software, computer systems, and anything else the franchisor decides that they should supply. Furthermore the
franchisee can’t control the business himself/herself, the franchisor does. 81
81
“Franchising Pros and Cons”; (http://ezinearticles.com/?Franchising-Pros-and-Cons&id=41909).
33
9. Sustainable Coffee 82
Organic, Shade and Fair trade coffees- collectively known as sustainable coffees - fill a market niche that is often rewarded
with a premium price and can provide superior environmental, economic and social benefits to producers.
The survey was based on a list of more than 9000 coffee related firms supplied by the Specialty Coffee Association of
America and the Coffee Association of Canada. The survey included (sample is greater than 2098 due to multiple answers):
1558 retailers 570 roasters 312 wholesalers 120 distributors, and 94 importers
More than two-thirds of the specialty coffee industry believes that certification of sustainable coffees will be important to their
business in the future. Similarly, about 2/3 were in favor of a simpler way of communicating sustainability in the marketplace,
in effect a super seal incorporating criteria from Organic, Shade, and Fair Trade coffees.
What are the main inferences that can be drawn from this study?
The sustainable coffee segment is growing very fast.
Industry is already benefiting, in terms of increasing sales and higher prices, from the product differentiation, improved quality
and price premiums of sustainable coffees. The specialty coffee industry appears to understand that their future is intimately
linked with the sustainability and quality of their supply. If industry is unclear over definitions, so are consumers. Providing
education and information will be critical factors in expanding these market niches. Standardized terminology and consumer-
friendly certification can help prevent confusion and erosion of support for this market segment. The industry is optimistic
about the future of sustainable coffee.
The U.S. handles about 1/4 of global coffee imports (2.45 billion pounds). Canada imports nearly 400 million pounds. The
U.S. specialty coffee industry is responsible for
82
Sustainable Coffee Survey of the North American Specialty Coffee Industry, 2001.
34
only approximately 17% of the total U.S. green coffee imports mentioned above but its $7.8 billion sales represent
approximately 40% of the $18.5 billion U.S. coffee market2. Total U.S. retail sales of specialty coffee beverages were $5.3
billion in 2000 while retail sales of specialty coffee beans reached $2.5 billion. It is the only segment of the coffee industry
that has shown consistent and notable growth3 and is the largest specialty coffee market in the world. According to the
International Coffee Organization (ICO) and the SCAA, most potential specialty coffee markets are far from saturated.
Specialty coffee sales continue to expand by 5% to 10% per year according to conservative estimates4. The North American
specialty market therefore represents one of the largest and most vibrant coffee markets in the world. Its ability to develop
strong new trends and influence global consumption is well documented. These reasons and its historic role as a market for
many of the producing countries that are at the forefront of developing certifiably sustainable coffee production, make it the
ideal target for the first large-scale industry survey of sustainable coffees.
The following terms served as brief and very basic definitions for the survey: Organic coffee is produced with methods that
preserve the soil and prohibits the use of synthetic chemicals.
Fair Trade coffee is purchased directly from cooperatives of small farmers that are guaranteed a minimum contract price.
Shade coffee is grown in shaded forest settings and is good for biodiversity and birds.
There is considerable confusion about what the three terms Organic, Fair Trade and Shade actually mean. Failure to promote
or educate about standardized terminology will very likely lead to the deterioration of terms such as “Shade coffee” until they
are as meaningless to a consumer as the word “natural”.
35
Factors that make sustainable coffee valuable to business When asked how important each of the following 7 factors is in
making sustainable coffee valuable to their business, the quality issue was confirmed as primary by 91.9% of the respondents
who believe it is a very important factor. 1. Specialty quality or taste (91.9%) 2. Opportunity for differentiation (57.1%) 3.
Customers are asking for it (51.9%) 4. Better profit margins (50.9%) 5. Personal beliefs about chemical-free agriculture (46%)
6. Personal beliefs about biodiversity or the environment (37.6%) 7. Personal ethics about fair trade for the growers (36.9%)
Nearly 9 out of 10 companies report that sustainable coffee sales either increased or remained the same last year.
Hardly any reported reduced sales. Most expect this positive trend to continue over the next two years.
In the next two years less than 2% expect any decreases and nearly 95% expect sales to either remain the same or
increase.
Excerpt: 37 of 37 pages - scroll top
Description
Title:
Coffee Shop Industry - A Strategic Analysis
Event:
Strategic Mgmt. innerhalb des MBA - Studiums
Author:
Diplom-Kauffrau (FH), Master of Business Administration Michaela Altmann
Year:
2007
Pages:
37
Archive No.:
V111348
ISBN (eBook):
978-3-640-09426-4
DOI:
10.3239/9783640094264
File size:
1088 KB
Language:
English
Tags:
CoffeeShopIndustryStrategicAnalysisMgmtStudiums
Quote paper:
Diplom-Kauffrau (FH), Master of Business Administration Michaela Altmann, 2007, Coffee Shop Industry - A Strategic
Analysis, Munich, GRIN Publishing GmbH