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Starbucks Swot

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Submitted By msnett1800
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Introduction
Starbucks is the biggest coffeehouse multinational corporation in the world. This corporation started out as a retailer solely of whole bean coffees. On a trip to Italy in 1983, Mr. Howard Schultz, an employee of Starbucks, was inspired by the numerous coffee bars in Milan. Upon his return to Starbucks he presented the idea to expand the company into a coffee bar. Mr. Schultz’s idea was rejected, and he parted from the company to start his own coffee bar. After years of great success he purchased Starbucks name and all of its assets. Their coffee service system was built on three principles, which were: hospitality, education, and production.

The company is now considered “a premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee, and operates in more than 50 countries through its company-owned stores as well as licensed retail stores” (Datamonitor, 2011 p. 4). Through a SWOTT analysis, we will see some highs as well as lows of Starbuck along its journey of being a Fortune 500 company.

Strengths
Diverse product portfolio
Knowledgeable employees
Brand Image and presence in other distribution channels
Customer bond through value-added services

Opportunities
Entry into the health food market
Emerging international retail markets
Expanding in the single-serve coffee market

Weaknesses
High sales costs
Weakening US segment
Brand image affected recalls

Threats
Competition
Rising prices of supplies and commodity
Economic state of US

Trends
Technological advancement
Continued geographical expansions
Healthy sales growth

Strengths
Starbucks’ strengths include their well-established logo and developed brand, visible locations for the attraction of customers, good relationship with their suppliers, loyalty to customers, and their knowledge base. Also included as strengths would be:
Diverse product portfolio

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