STARBUCKS UK

Strategic Management
Report
By Navneet Madan

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Contents
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 3
Background .......................................................................................................................... 3
Company Analysis ............................................................................................................... 3
External Analysis ................................................................................................................. 4
Industry Value and Growth.................................................................................................. 4
Porter’s Five Forces and PESTLE Analysis ........................................................................ 6
UK Consumers’ Brand Perception of Starbucks and Its Competitors ............................... 11
Internal Analysis and Competitor Analysis ....................................................................... 13
Competitive Analysis and Distinctive Position against Competitors ................................ 16
Concluding Internal and External Analysis ....................................................................... 18
Competitive Advantage: .................................................................................................... 19
Strategic Options................................................................................................................ 20
Strategic Directions............................................................................................................ 21
Suitability, Acceptability and Feasibility........................................................................... 23
Strategic Method:............................................................................................................... 26
Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 26
Recommendation ............................................................................................................... 27
Reflection ........................................................................................................................... 27
APPENDIX ........................................................................................................................ 28
APPENDIX 1 ..................................................................................................................... 28
APPENDIX 2:.................................................................................................................... 29
Bibliography....................................................................................................................... 30

Executive Summary

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 A Fortune 500 company, Starbucks share prices reached its peak in 2006 and declined

unexpectedly in 2008. Although its business has picked up in 2011 with an increase in

operating profits, Starbucks has lost its market leader position to Costa, a chain coffee shop

business owned by Whitbread plc. Starbucks’ strategic issues are its decrease in marketshare,

negative brand perception that was invoked by its competitors and its devalued Starbucks’

Experience that was its competitive advantage. A situational analysis of Starbucks was

conducted to indicate possible opportunities and threats. Internal analysis and competitor

analysis was conducted simultaneously to identify Starbucks distinctive capabilities and

weaknesses against competitors. Strategic options such as Market Penetration, Product

Development and Market development were assessed for their suitability, acceptability and

feasibility. Strategic choices that unravel three issues that Starbucks is challenged with are

presented in the report.

Please note that this report contains 3209 words. Figures, captions and in-text referencing are
excluded from the word count.

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Introduction

Background

Starbucks started in 1971 as a small shop but today its diversified business sells everything

from freshly brewed coffees, bakery, tea and coffee consumer products and merchandises

such as mugs and accessories(Starbucks, 2011). Globalization driven, it is one of the fastest

growing businesses today namely 261 on the Fortune 500(Grant, 2010). Its mission statement

is (Starbucks, 2011)

Company Analysis

Reached its peak in 2006(Grant, 2010) it had a stock increase of 26.7% per year over the

period of 1996/2006. There is a high correlation stating that Starbucks brand image

contributes 88.5% to its high stock price(Perera et al., 2009). However, case study analysis

conducted for the first assignment shows frontal attack of Starbucks(Baines et al., 2008) by

major fast food chains including McDonalds and Dunkin Donut after which its stock price

declined(Grant, 2010). A market leader in the coffee industry in 2006 in UK its share prices

decreased unexpectedly and consumer’s cafe survey in 2008 claimed it had poor quality and

was overpriced(Hickman, 2008). Starbucks marketshare fell in 2009(item1), then its overall

market share increased again but in UK it’s a different case. UK market hasn’t been kind,

with Costa claiming market leader leaving Starbucks behind(Mintel, 2011b).

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 Item 1 Starbucks Stock Price from 2006 to April 2011 (YahooFinance, 2011)

While Starbucks has closed many of its outlets, possibly because of its flawed location-

cluster strategy(Grant, 2010), Costa has been expanding.(Keynote, 2010b; Mintel,

2011b). The research will address Starbucks’ issues in regards to its market share, brand

perception and devalued Starbucks’ Experience.

External Analysis

Industry Value and Growth

In 2010, the coffee shop market grew to £1.2 million, but UK industry is at a mature

growth stage(Kotler, 2003)(FIGURE1) where growth is evident but slower than the

previous years(Mintel, 2011b). Mintel forecasts positive growth till 2015, but UK is

expected to face another round of recession(Mintel, 2011b) hence, a slower growth till

2012 (FIGURE2).

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 UK Coffee
Retailing

Figure 1 Industry Life Cycle: UK Coffee Retailing Market (Grant, 2010)

Total Index % £m at Index %

£m annual 2010 prices annual
change change

2005 665 55 na 778 64 na

2006 834 68 25.4 950 78 22.2
2007 1,035 85 24.1 1,142 94 20.2
2008 1,155 95 11.6 1,223 100 7.1
2009 1,195 98 3.5 1,232 101 0.7
2010 (est) 1,218 100 1.9 1,218 100 -1.1
2011 (fore) 1,269 104 4.2 1,231 101 1.0
2012 (fore) 1,315 108 3.6 1,238 102 0.6
2013 (fore) 1,376 113 4.7 1,257 103 1.6
2014 (fore) 1,437 118 4.4 1,273 105 1.3
2015 (fore) 1,505 124 4.8 1,294 106 1.7

Figure 2 Coffee Shops Growth Rate (Source: Mintel,2010a)

While half of consumers who drink coffee visit coffee shops, this figure has remained

unchanged for years supporting that it is certainly in the mature stage (Mintel, 2011b). As

Johnson describes, at the mature stage we should expect “low growth, standard products

higher entry barriers, higher marketshare and lowest cost” is the key to success(Johnson,

Scholes, & Whittington, 2008). Mintel provides the best and the worst case forecasts

(FIGURE3) of value of coffee shops from an expected £1.22 to £1.84(best case) or

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 £1.14(worst case). It is depicted that the market will grow to a value of £1.51 billion in

2015.

Figure 3 Coffee Shop Industry Value Forecast for UK (Mintel, 2011b)

Porter’s Five Forces and PESTLE Analysis

The environmental analysis is described below (FIGURE4) and (FIGURE5)

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 Figure 4 SOURCES OF INFO (Grant, 2010; Keynote, 2010a, 2010b, 2010c; Mintel, 2011b;

Porter, 2004)

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 Political Economic
1. Relationship with coffee producing 1. Price Volatility of coffee which
nations(Grant,2010) depends on demand and
2. Higher VAT tax in UK(Mintel,2010b) supply.(Grant,2010)
3. Fair Trade 2. Shock in fall of GDP may stir up double
Coffee(GaleAmericanIndustryOverview dip recession(Mintel,2010b)
s, 2006) 3. Lower disposable
income(Keynote,2010b)
4. Lower supply and higher demand of
coffee leads to expected increase in
prices of coffee
due(emergingmarketsmonitor,2011)

Social and Demographics Technological

1. UK’s consumption of coffee is lower 1. Significance of Facebook or Social
than other developed nations but it Media Marketing (Mintel,2011)
has shown most growth than 2. Geo-fencing technology marketing
many(Keynote,2010a) (Mintel,2011)
2. Infrequent consumption in a tea 3. In-store WiFi Digital Content
nation(Mintel,2011) Network(Charles,2011)
3. Busier Lifestyles increase preference
for seated coffee bars(Mintel,2011)
4. Social Media
Recommendations(Datamonitor360,20
11)
5. Consumers still indulge on regular
treats even though confidence is
fragile due to GDP(Mintel,2011b)
6. Lifestyles are becoming busier so there
is room for growth for
coffee(Mintel,2010a)
7. Increase in working women
population(Mintel,2011b)
8. Increase in UK ageing
population(Keynote,2010c)

Legal Environmental
High coffee trade 1. Increase in price of coffee due to bad
regulations(Grant,2010) weather conditions and diseases in
coffee producing nation
Brazil.(EMERGINGMARKETSMONITOR,
2011)

Figure 5 PESTLE ANALYSIS

A tea drinking nation, UK has also experienced tea price rises which have set the highest

record this year(Mintel, 2011b). However, tea suppliers have differentiated their products

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 to increase value and charge a higher price, by offering specialty tea for different

moods(Mintel, 2011b).Energy drinks have gained importance since they are better energy

boosters than coffee itself(Mintel, 2011b). Energy drinks are popular with the young, who

are also users of coffee shops(Keynote, 2010b). Buyers who are ABC1 social

grade(Mintel, 2011b) are 50% of the population and are numerous(FIGURE5)(NRS,

2011). UK’s lower disposable income(Keynote, 2009), variety of differentiated coffee

products(Mintel, 2011a; Porter, 1979), and consumer needs that can be fulfilled by non-

speciality coffee shops has increased buyer power(Keynote, 2010c).

Figure 6 ABC1 SOCIAL GRADE IS COFFEE SHOP CONSUMERS(Mintel, 2011b; NRS,

2011)

Supplier power is elevated by Fair-trade coffee where beans are made from growers who

receive more than the market price(GaleAmericanIndustryOverviews, 2006) since prices

depend on demand and supply causing small farmers to sometimes get deficient

amounts(GaleAmericanIndustryOverviews, 2006). Starbucks has integrated backwards to

collaborate with coffee farmers in order to source the finest coffee available. Due to large

amounts required - Starbucks, Costa and Cafe Nero still buy from independent farmers

who have unions backing them(Porter, 1979), hence suppliers have medium power.

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 Prices of the coffee depend on environmental factors such as weather conditions, coffee

producing nation’s economy, and given that bad weather conditions and diseases have

struck main coffee producing nation, Brazil, prices are as high as

ever(Emergingmarketsmonitor, 2011). Current coffee shops are unable to absorb the price

increase due to VAT increase and extremely high coffee prices(Mintel, 2011b), this is

unlikely to attract new small entrants. Ability to buy in bulk, increase in capital

requirements, and access to target market specific locations will discourage small

entrants. Conversely, non-specialty shops as Pret-A-Manger, EAT and

McDonalds(Keynote, 2010a, 2010b; Mintel, 2011b) are amongst indirect competitors

who want a piece of the low growth and there is fear that coffee shops are losing their

unique selling point(USP)(Mintel, 2011b). Direct competitors as Costa, Cafe Nero and

Coffee Nation are extremely competitive and are expansion minded(Porter, 1979).

Although the product has high differentiation there is variety of differentiated options

available and combined with lower disposable income this contributes to medium buyer

power. These competitors are also very innovative with their menus and have changed

menus in the two years to follow consumer increasing unmet needs(Mintel, 2011b).

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 Market share
% change in Total store
Operator by turnover Turnover (%)
share yr/yr numbers
(%)
Costa Coffee 37.6 462 29.8 1175
Starbucks 32.4 398 6.7 731
Caffe Nero 14.3 176 10 440
Caffe Ritazza 2.5 n/a n/a 109
Coffee
1.5 19 11.8 83
Republic
AMT Coffee 1.5 19 26.7 59
Café
0.9 12 9.1 42
Thorntons
Puccino's 0.8 10 -33.3 38
Esquires 0.7 9 12.5 33
Soho Coffee
0.4 5 25 19
Company
Boston Tea
0.4 5 25 9
Party
Coffee#1 0.3 4 33.3 15
Caffe Fratelli 0.3 4 33.3 12
Morelli's
Cappuccino 0.2 n/a n/a 7
Bars
Gloria Jeans
0.1 n/a n/a 2
UK
Others 6 n/a n/a 399

Figure 7 Market Share, Intense Competition (Mintel, 2011c)

The intensity of competition is high where Costa presents strong rates of sales and

operating profit and shown in Figure7 Costa has higher market share. UK is a tea drinking

nation, and increase in ageing population does not have a positive effect on coffee shop

visitation(Keynote, 2010b). Growth in number of working women and expected busier

lifestyles in the next years will unquestionably have a positive effect since women prefer

seated coffee bars than they prefer restaurants and pubs(Keynote, 2010a).

UK Consumers’ Brand Perception of Starbucks and Its Competitors

Although consumers believe in the quality of Starbucks coffee, a high expectation of

value for money due to lower disposable income has lead consumers to perceive

Starbucks to be overpriced (picture2). Although CSR is not effectively conducted by

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 Costa(Mintel, 2011b), consumers’ are unaware, and therefore perceive Costa higher,

hence a better market share.

Picture 1 (Mintel, 2011b)

Picture 2(Mintel, 2011b)

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 Picture 3 (Mintel, 2011b)

The key success factors for this industry is strong relationship with coffee suppliers(Grant,

2010), strong brand loyalty(Clark, 2009), positive brand perception, fast paced innovation for

new product creation and location which is ability to secure new distribution channels where

competitors haven’t been located in. They should also have a unique selling point that isn’t

easily imitated. Most importantly, “quick coffee on the go” will certainly benefit due to

increase in number of working women who are about to have busier lifestyles(Keynote,

2010a; Mintel, 2011b).

Internal Analysis and Competitor Analysis

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 Competitive Industry Key Success
Advantage Factors
• Location (Keynote,2010b)
The Starbucks Strategy • Financial capability
experience • Market share
• Differentiation, medium
Is it still valued? Distinctive Capabilities Pricing Strategy and
quality(Mintel,2010b)
•Glocalised, strategy, a community coffee shop
• Quick coffee on the go
•Continuous innovation • Fast paced innovation
•Financial strength evident from total asset . • Brand awareness, loyalty
and Brand
perception(Mintel,2010)

Resources
Intangible
Tangible Human Resource
•Technology: It’s R& D. Continuous
Innovation(Datamonitor,2010) •Baristas are extensively trained
• Net loss in UK service for coffee (Grant,2011)
£52,106,000 for 2009 •Reputation: High Brand
(Mintel,2011b) awareness, reached bonding stage. •“It is not unusual to have a chat with
But UK customers have negative Baristas”(Starbucks,2011)
• Total Physical Assets: perception that its coffee is
$5672.6 million overpriced. (Mintel,2011b) •Increased motivation with benefits:
full health coverage (Starbucks,2011)
(Grant,2010) •Culture: Organisational culture : a
shared planet and a harmonistic •Equity through Bean Stock
environment for employees. (Grant, programme (Starbucks,2011)
2010 Starbucks,2011)

Figure 8 Capabilies (Grant,2010)

Since Starbucks has continuously raised consumer expectations for years(Mintel, 2011b), it

has become the benchmarking point for all coffee companies including Costa. Extensive

training of Baristas to be friendly, their ability to make coffee and develop relationship with

consumers is now just a Threshold resource(Johnson, et al., 2008). Starbucks has successfully

associated corporate social responsibility, high quality and inspiring to its brand name

(picture1, 2, and 3). Nevertheless, it’s extremely overpriced coffee constitutes to consumers’

perception that it cares only about profits not excluding the fact that it supports huge causes

and charities(Starbucks,2011). Starbucks high quality is no longer an excuse to charge

extremely high prices, as quality is established by all competitors including Costa (Mintel,

2011b), espresso machines(Grant, 2010) and instant coffees. For example: exactly the pattern

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faced in U.S where McDonalds coffee was rated to taste better than Starbucks. Similarly, UK

agency Tangible tested 157 samples and concluded that 7 out of 10 consumers prefer Costa’s

Mocha Italia beans over Starbucks(Mintel, 2011b). As shown in Item2, tastes for all strategic

groups are similar.

Item 2 Sources:(Keynote, 2010a, 2010b; Mintel, 2011b)

Although criticised on quality, the core strength behind Starbucks’ brand is still the quality of

its products due to its ability to continuously innovate. Starbucks’s strong R&D capability in

researching on food, beverages and equipment is an inimitable strategic capability due to it

being a first mover at the gourmet coffee shop market(Grant, 2010). In addition, Starbucks

also has intangibles such as established relationships with Kraft foods(Datamonitor, 2010),

Yahoo for in-house digital networking connectivity(Charles, 2011), 02 to take advantage of

geo-fencing marketing abilities(Mintel, 2011b).

An advocacy brand that attracts repeat consumers, it creates a strong brand with a healthy use

of social media marketing(Woodward, 2011). Through recommendation of fans it creates

strong bonds with a consumer which further translates into profits(Woodward, 2011).

Although it lags behind Costa, its mission to be a community coffee shop and its contribution

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to the community, can help create interpersonal relationships between the consumers and the

local Starbucks indicating a good practice.

Competitive Analysis and Distinctive Position against Competitors

STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE

Differentiation Positioning Low Cost Positioning

DIFFERENTIATION OVERALL COST LEADERSHIP

DIFFERENTIATION COST LEADERSHIP

FOCUS FOCUS

Figure 9 Source: (Porter, 2004)

Although Starbucks tries to target lower income individuals by decreasing prices of cheaper

drinks by £0.25 and increasing prices of its higher prices by £0.25(Mintel, 2011b), which

shows that it would like to have a broader target, it still holds a differentiation focus since

main targets for coffee shops are ABC1 social grade segment as described above. Shown in

Figure9, when compared to its close competitor Costa, Starbucks has core competences such

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as fast paced innovation, its marketing capability but lowered due to negative brand

perception (picture1,2&3), and its extension line of coffee on the go will be valuable for the

emerging working women who have busier lifestyles.

Key Success Factors Starbucks Costa Café Nero

•Location (Keynote,2010b) 3.274087933 5 1.87090739
•Market share 4.308510638 5 1.901595745
•Differentiation, medium Pricing Strategy and quality(Mintel,2010b) 3 5 2.5
•Quick coffee on the go 5 0 0
•Fast paced innovation 5 4 1
•Brand awareness, loyalty and Brand perception(Mintel,2010 ) 4 5 2
Critical Success Factors
•Financial capability 5 5 2
1 = Least capable 5= Most
Figure 10 Competitive Grid (Aaker,2005) Source of information provided in Appendix1

INBOUND OUTBOUND MARKETING PRODUCT

OPERATION
LOGISTICS LOGISTICS & SALES & SERVICES

•Ensures fixed- • Ensures • Strong in Social • Community coffee

price due to • It controls Media shop
purchasing, Baristas are
relationship •Strong brand •Comfortable “back to
with suppliers roasting `and well-trained,
awareness nature” environment
•No non packaging. excellent •High customer
delivery risk system to •Diversified product
•Many product advocacy
list
recalls from accommodate a
full capacity •Well-trained baristas
customers
shop

Firm Infrastructure: Flat infrastructure that supports harmonious organisational culture

Human Resource: ensures highest working standards for all types of employees, excellent health benefits
Technology & Development: Innovation capability on foodservice, coffee and taste
innovation

Figure 11 Porter's Value Chain Analysis Source of Info: (Datamonitor, 2010; Grant, 2010; Starbucks, 2011; Woodward, 2011)

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Concluding Internal and External Analysis

As shown in the value chain(Figure10), Starbucks’ rare and inimitable capabilities include

marketing, continuous innovation, human-resource(culture), financial strength and

relationship with suppliers. Weaknesses include operation (product recalls)(Datamonitor,

2010), negative brand perception, market share, taste and accessibility(picture 1,2&3), and

it’s Starbuck experience does not give high value for money like the price charged. Major

threats include future high coffee prices, ageing population, energy drink popularity and

entrance of more non-speciality shops. Opportunities include working women with busier

lifestyles, significance of social media marketing, value for money trend, and importance of

localisation.

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Opportunity/Threat O1 O2 O3 O4 O5 T1 T2 T3 T4
Strength/weakness Increase in Use of Value for Importance Expected Higher Ageing Energy Penetration
working
women with
busier
lifestyles
technology: money of
Social Media trend
and Geo-
fencing
future coffee
Localisation growth for prices and
UK market demand
volatility
population drink
popularity
of non-
specialty to
sell coffee +-
Strength 1: Marketing 3 4 5 4 5 0 3 3 4 31 0
capability
Strength 2:High Financial 3 5 4 3 3 -4 0 -3 -2 18 -9
Capability: Total Assets
Strength 3: 4 3 4 2 5 -4 2 2 4 26 -4
Innovation Capability
Strength 4: 2 0 2 5 2 0 2 0 3 16 0
human-resource(culture)
Strength 5: 0 0 3 0 4 3 0 0 0 10 0
Relationship with coffee
suppliers
-2 0 -2 -4 -4 0 -2 0 -3 0 -17
W1: operation (product
recalls)
W2: Starbucks experience: -3 4 -5 -4 -4 0 -4 -3 -4 9 -45
not high value for money.
W3: Negative brand -3 5 -4 -3 -3 0 0 -2 -3 21 -29
perception
W4: Lower market share 3 3 4 3 3 -3 -2 -3 -3 16 -26
than competitor
W5: Taste of product and -2 0 0 -3 -2 -2 0 -2 -4 0 -15
Accessibility of Starbucks
Store
Environmental Impact 15 24 22 17 22 3 7 5 11
Scores -10 0 -11 -14 -13 -13 -8 -13 -19

Figure 12 SWOT MATRIX (Johnson et al., 2008) Reasons for values are justified in the Appendix 2.

Competitive Advantage:

Starbuck’s core competencies is its brand awareness, its relationship with suppliers,

relationship with big companies (Pepsi-Cola and Kraft)(Grant, 2010) and its proficiency in

social media marketing to create higher customer advocacy(Gallaugher and Ransbotham,

2010).

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It’s “Starbucks Experience” is rare, inimitable but not as valuable as in 2006 either(Barney,

1995). Shown in SWOT Matrix, Starbucks’ main issue is its diluted Starbucks Experience

that doesn’t express value for money which should improve to create a sustainable

differentiation-based advantage(Berns et al., 2009). It should utilise its strength such as

marketing capability, innovative capability and financial resources to create more intangible

value. As Robert Grant described, differentiation advantage can be created through

“branding, advertising, design, service quality and new product development”(Grant, 2010).

Strategic Options

Differentiation
Base
Focused

Market Penetration

Market Development
Strategic options Stra tegic Directions:

Product Development

Organic Development

Strategic Method
Alliances: Licensing
and Franching

Figure 13 Strategic Options Approach Followed. Developed from (Johnson et al,2008)

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Strategic Directions

Already an industry standard, Starbucks’ strategic lock in(Johnson et al., 2008) and its strong

strategic capabilities will contribute to better strategic options. Starbuck’s bases of

competitive strategy is differentiation focus(Johnson et al., 2008). Strategic direction is

shown in the figure12 below.

Figure 14 Ansoff Matrix (Johnson et al., 2008) Source of info (Starbucks, 2011, Aaker, 2005)

“Market penetration is where an organisation gains marketshare”(Johnson et al.,

2008). Therefore, in order to increase marketshare Starbucks must also continue

advertising to gain more consumers and revitalize its brand to hold current consumers.

According to WPP, when a brand reaches the Bonding stage, it has emotional benefits

and is willing to pay much higher. Although Starbucks has reached that stage in US

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 and with some segments in UK(Clark, 2011), it needs to gather more consumers who

are at the Bonding stage that will be willing to pay high and increase its marketshare.

Figure 15 WPP Branding (Datamonitor360, 2006)

Starbucks should also develop new products targeted to the emerging working

women who are expected to have busier lifestyles, hence, a low calorie coffee drink

on the go. Apart from this, due to the growing popularity of energy drinks, Starbucks

has already created an energy boosting coffee drink(Starbucks, 2011). Its current

strategy of “one community at a time” is excellent to increase marketshare because

consumers have to find Starbucks’ more accessible than Costa as shown in

(picture1,2,3) and as stated earlier location is also a KSF. The suitability of the

strategies are accessed in TOWS Matrix(Figure13)

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 Strength Weakness

•Marketing Capability •The Starbuck’s Experience

TOWS MODELDEL •Innovation Capability •Negative brand perception
•Financial Capability •Lower market share
•Human Resource Capability

Opportunities 1. Use social media to target 1. Utilize social media to

•Use of Technology and Social
Media
•Value for Money Trend
•Expected Future Growth in UK
appropriate promotions to
different types of consumers
2. Create innovative and
sophisticated products that
shows value of money and
targets growing segments
change negative perception
of consumers
2. Increase value and extrinsic
offerings to consumers that
brings Starbucks’s Experience
to a whole other level from
other coffee shops

Threats 1. Advertise and create a 1. Add more value to Starbuck’s

•Penetration of non-specialty stronger brand, for
coffee shops consumers to differentiate
•Energy Drink Popularity between true coffee shops
•Coffee Price Volatility and non-specialty stores.
2. Emphasize on coffee energy
boosting abilities, or create
coffee drinks that boost
energy
3. Emphasize Tea sales as UK is
a tea drinking nation.
experience and differentiate
from non specialty stores.
2. Associate energy boosting
statement with coffee drinks
and emphasize on its
amazing abilities.
3. Emphasize on tea, “Tazo”
brand in UK, as a separate
brand. Change cost
structure, to absorb certain
high supplier prices.

Figure 16 TOWS MATRIX (Johnson et al., 2008) Source of information (Grant, 2010, Gallaugher and Ransbotham, 2010,

Datamonitor, 2010)

Suitability, Acceptability and Feasibility

“Suitability” is whether a strategy is addressing the key issues of the company in this case:

low marketshare(Mintel, 2011, YahooFinance, 2011), negative corporate brand

perception(Mintel, 2011) and less valued Starbucks’ experience(Mintel, 2011).

“Suitability” for Market Penetration options provided above is that it is advantageous for

Starbucks to become a Market Leader. By becoming a Market Leader, it can exploit

opportunities such as maintaining its current high pricing strategy therefore, a superior

product than competitors(Lynch, 2006). Moreover, it is in shareholders’ interest for

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Starbucks’ to exploit its brand awareness to create a positive perception and also to exploit its

Tazo brand by advertising it in order to gain more market share in a tea drinking nation.

“Suitability” for Product Development option is to exploit the changing population(Johnson

et al,2008) and demands of customers within the market. Starbucks’ already has an energy

boosting coffee hence, not a suitable choice(Starbucks, 2011). However, Starbucks’ can

utilize emotional advertising on social media to target specifically working women to

purchase their coffee on the go.

“Suitability” for market development option is to exploit opportunities in other communities,

since access is clearly a KSF for this industry. The market in Central London is becoming

mature(Keynote, 2010) and saturated with coffee shops, and moreover, competitors are

expanding to other locations, hence Starbuck’s has to exploit core competences in new

locations(Johnson et al., 2008) and not allow competitors to gain first mover advantage in

certain locations(Lynch, 2006).

“Acceptability”

Mission of shareholders: The annual shareholder report of Starbucks states (Lynch,2006)

“The Company’s retail goal is to become the leading retailer and brand of coffee in each of

its target markets by selling the finest quality coffee and related products, and by providing

each customer a unique Starbucks Experience”.(Starbucks, 2011).

Market Penetration: To gain marketshare to have advantage and become market

leader(Johnson et al., 2008)

1. Increasing the market share to become a market leader through advertising

2. Increasing the “Starbucks Experience” value

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As Starbucks’ high pricing strategy requires for it to be in a position to exploit superior

advantages than competitors, it is required for Starbucks’ to become a market leader and

exploit its current resources to create a more valuable Starbucks experience. The statement

provided in the shareholders’ annual report supports this and this strategy is advantageous as

it will increase share prices if consumers believe Starbucks is a superior brand. As this option

is a must for Starbucks’ to secure a superior position, the risk is lower than the return.

Acceptability for Product Development: Clearly Starbucks’ is a highly diversified business

and this has always been its goal(Starbucks, 2011), if it had to innovate new products for

existing customers to take advantage of the changes in demand, it would certainly be

accepted by the Shareholders(Grant, 2010). The risk is higher than market penetration but the

return is higher as well, since it allows Starbucks to exploit the increasing demand in UK

market effectively.

Acceptability for Market Development: As stated in the Shareholders’ annual report above,

Starbucks’ wants to become a market leader in each of its target market, in order to become a

market leader in the UK, it is required for Starbucks’ to penetrate new locations in UK. Since

this is a KSF, if it does not expand to other locations in every community, it will be at a

disadvantage; hence the return is higher than the risk.

Feasibility:

Market Development: To increase marketshare and change negative to positive perceptions

by advertising, Starbucks’ has to make full use of its financial capability and marketing

capability. As seen in its total assets, Starbucks has high financial capability(Grant, 2010). Its

marketing capability has always been one of its core strength(Starbucks, 2011); hence it is

feasible for Starbucks to advertise to gain marketshare. On the other hand, to increase

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intangible services, it has to make full use of its financial and innovative capability to provide

more services in store, in order to increase the value of Starbucks’ experience.

Product Development: Starbucks’ has excellent innovative capabilities on food and

beverages due to its highly advanced R&D(Datamonitor, 2010, Euromonitor, 2010),

however, this requires high financial capability which Starbucks clearly has. It is also

required for Starbucks to utilize its marketing capabilities to market the products effectively

to the emerging targets in order to exploit the situation fully.

Market Development: This requires financial capability and distribution capability(Johnson

et al., 2008), Since Starbucks’ has had more than 700 outlets in UK (Mintel, 2011)and 17,009

worldwide(Starbucks, 2011), it certainly has capability to build in new locations.

Strategic Method:

The strategic method utilised will be organic development(Johnson et al., 2008) for market

penetration and product development since Starbucks’ has the marketing and innovation

capability and direct involvement may help gain competitive advantage(Johnson et al., 2008).

The benefit of developing its marketing and innovation capability is higher than acquiring

any other firm. However, for fast action to compete with Costa, Starbucks should exploit

contractual strategic alliance(Johnson et al., 2008) such as licensing as it has done in the past

since number of stores and accessibility can directly increase its marketshare.

Conclusion

 The main issues that Starbucks face is its loss of market leader position due to lower

market share, negative brand perception, and devalued Starbucks’ Experience.

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  Its marketing capability and innovation capability are its core competences, however

as seen in the SWOT Matrix, its financial capability requires Strategic Stretch.

 Starbucks has the ability to become a market leader but it requires aggressive strategy

by utilising. Though it will face aggressive retaliation from Costa, Whitbread plc’

brand, Starbucks’ has sufficient resources to compete.

Recommendation

 All strategies provided above to become a market leader in UK must be followed and

all are suitable, acceptable and feasible.

 Although the industry analysis is produced for 2011, the research information is from

2010, and Starbucks’ have made fast paced decisions and followed most of the

strategic options provided above including use of Geo-fencing technology to target

customers(Mintel, 2011) and digital content network in store to increase Starbucks’

experience(Starbucks, 2011). It is also pursuing more opportunities to open more

community stores(Starbucks, 2011).

Reflection

 The research conducted provided a full understanding of the rationale behind utilising

Porter’s Five Forces before PESTLE, as it helps identify direct environmental factors

impacting the coffee industry and Starbucks specifically. Moreover, the learning map

has enhanced this research experience, by providing specific actions required to

identify specific strategic issues hence, an uncomplicated learning outcome.

 Overall, the research experience has posed quite a few difficulties as it is a new

concept for the researcher.

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APPENDIX
APPENDIX 1
Calculation of Marketshare for Competitive Grid. Information from marketshare table

provided in the report.

Costa’s most marketshare = (37.6/37.6)*5 = 5

Starbuck’s marketshare = (32.4/37.6)*5

Cafe Nero’s markshare =(14.3/37.6)*5

Differentiation, medium pricing: Checked the website for prices and made an assumption of

the differentiation level and their pricing strategy. Starbucks has as high differentiation as

Costa with extremely high pricing hence, it got lesser

Fast paced innovation: Checked the website and made an assumption. Starbucks has an

extremely vast line of product lines and has fast paced innovation, Costa’s product line is

much shorter.

Financial Capability is higher for Starbucks as it is a global business and Costa is support by

large Whitbread plc. Moreover, Cafe Nero is much smaller than the two.

Brand awareness and Brand Perception: Starbucks scored full in brand awareness but it has

negative brand perception, hence it scored lower than Costa.

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APPENDIX 2:
Strength/weakness Increase in Use of Value for Importance Expected Higher Ageing Energy Penetration
working
women with
busier
lifestyles
technology:
Social Media
and Geo-
fencing
money
trend
of future
Localisation growth for
UK market
coffee
prices and
demand
volatility
population drink
popularity
of non-
specialty to
sell coffee + -
Strength 1: Marketing 3 4 5 4 5 0 3 3 4 31 0
capability
Strength 2:High Financial 3 5 4 3 3 -4 0 -3 -2 18 -9
Capability: Total Assets
Strength 3: 4 3 4 2 5 -4 2 2 4 26 -4
Innovation Capability
Strength 4: 2 0 2 5 2 0 2 0 3 16 0
human-resource(culture)
Strength 5: 0 0 3 0 4 3 0 0 0 10 0
Relationship with coffee
suppliers
-2 0 -2 -4 -4 0 -2 0 -3 0 -17
W1: operation (product
recalls)
W2: Starbucks experience: -3 4 -5 -4 -4 0 -4 -3 -4 9 -45
not high value for money.
W3: Negative brand -3 5 -4 -3 -3 0 0 -2 -3 21 -29
perception
W4: Lower market share 3 3 4 3 3 -3 -2 -3 -3 16 -26
than competitor
W5: Taste of product and -2 0 0 -3 -2 -2 0 -2 -4 0 -15
Accessibility of Starbucks
Store
Environmental Impact 15 24 22 17 22 3 7 5 11
Scores -10 0 -11 -14 -13 -13 -8 -13 -19

Marketing capability score: marketing/advertising can add value for all including increase in

working women and busier lifestyles because marketing capability allows advertising to be

specifically targetted at this group. Marketing can also help increase the value of the product.

Financial Assets can be depleted by higher coffee prices and penetration of non-specialty

shops if they do well.

Innovative capability: can help Starbucks innovate products and advertising can express its

innovation capability to differentiate its products.

Operation(product recalls): This can have an impact on further consumer purchase.

Negative brand perception: can have an effect on future purchase and does not help with

value of money trend.

Lower marketshare: can be further lowered by non specialty stores.

Taste and accessibility of the store: can be an impact on future purchase.

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