What makes Starbucks an American Icon?!
What makes Starbucks an American Icon?
I am doing a research paper on Starbucks as an American Icon, does anybody have an opinons or sights that would help me with my research? Why has Starbucks become such an American Icon? What do you guys think?
Additional Details1 month ago
I have gotten some good opinions on this question, way more then expected. I wonder now how many people are upset that Starbucks is seemingly everywhere, or how many people just don't care. hmmmm
Answers:
1 month ago
I have gotten some good opinions on this question, way more then expected. I wonder now how many people are upset that Starbucks is seemingly everywhere, or how many people just don't care. hmmmm
First chain to make it fashionable to drink coffee. You either love their coffee or you hate it. I think the market needed (needs) a strongly brewed coffee. They also made coffee a social occasion, by creating an nice environment to meet, and slow down for a while. Overall a great business plan that has been very well recieved by a large group of Americans.
starbucks sucks
Lousy, expensive coffee.
Because it is a statement.
I don't think of Starbucks, as an American Icon. The coffee is to high. McDonald's and Seven ll, coffee is cheaper, and it taste much better than Starbucks. Have a nice day.
Extremely high quality coffee, served in a consistent way, in an atmosphere which is conducive to social interaction. Starbucks has managed to create a lifestyle from a coffee shop concept.
i think it is just a trendy place where people go to study and socialize...i don't think its an American icon
everybody drinks coffee there at sometime or other so pretty much cause its popular
cause people a stupid, lazy and don't know how to spend their money wisely so they waste it on buying burnt tasting coffee and then go into debt and can't afford gas to get to work---dumbies!
ever think that the money used to get that coffee could be used to diaper your kid, get your kid a college education, get you that trip you wanted, get you gas to work etc.....
Please note this for your report. Starbucks was asked to donate coffee for our troops in Iraq. There response was loud and clear! They said NO! They stated that they did not support the war and would not donate anything. They were then told it is not about supporting the war but supporting our troops over there doing their job. Starbucks responded they don't support the war or the troops over there! Sad story don't you think? Considering they are considered an American Icon. Up North there were stores on every corner being picketed! People are also not too bright paying such silly amount for a cup of coffee!
America loves coffee?
America loves Starbucks?
to me an "icon" is something popular, something that most people love! just about everyone knows what starbucks is. most kids dont know how to read the name starbucks, but when they see the sign, they know its starbucks, its kinda like McDonalds, but with coffee. 75% of their customers are teenagers. my niece who is 6 yrs old LOVES starbucks. i think what makes it popular is that celebrities love starbucks, people love to follow trends. i think thats what makes it great. i love to go there, personally, cause thats where famous stars get their drinks and its yummy!!
That's to big of a statement, but if you meant, that they are notorious, of course, there's a #@$% Starbucks every ten feet and around the whole $%^%$ country!!!
Starbucks is the perfect icon for 'mainstream' America. We are, after all, a land of people who think education and healthcare should be free but will happily drop $600 on a weekend in a casino. Pay $4.00 for a 16oz cup of stimulant? Why not!
Starbucks is a status symbol. When people walk around with Starbucks cups, they're saying "I can afford to drink the best" and "I have high-class taste". Like cars and designer clothing, advertisements have convinced us that we're all too good to have anything less than the best, that if we 'settle' for something less expensive or status-ful, we're somehow cheating ourselves. Because we're worth it. Right?
Hi
As I am sure you know, they are a large chain (franchise??) of fancy coffee shops ...
***the coffees are very good and the little stand with all the different kinds of stuff to add to your purchase are very generously stocked, plenty of napkins, etc (very clever merchandising) ..
***the atmosphere is easy and laid back
*** the prices are a little steep, therefore creating a sort of 'chic' and a little snobbery .... because when someone comes back to the office, say, with a Starbucks bag, you *know* what it cost .... a little one-upmanship or whatever you wish to call it ...so it becomes a mark of affluence to middle class working people ....
***a good place to 'spoil yourself' if feeling blue ...
*** there are other places just as nice that belong to the same genre of shops, but for some reason to me the name Starbucks stands out as memorable ...it is sort of catchy ... and the thought that it all started in Seattle is alluring ... it's is like: "It started WHERE? Oh, Seattle. Oh, yeah! OK!" And so the rustic aura descends, the fresh air .. ...... just my opinion, hey!
Peace & Love
The term "icon" is used far too loosely, in this case it is a silly usage. Starbucks is not an "icon," it is simply on every corner. There is a difference.
I am from the West Coast of the US and have seen the "invasion" of Starbucks, which tends to drive out the smaller, local coffee houses. It is a bit like the coffee house version of WalMart.
But to get to your question. Starbucks has been immensely successful because they had a business development and marketing plan that were phenomenal. They have adjusted to market conditions over time - offering food in certain cities and quite good CDs in all their shops. They will probably be studied by graduate students in their thesis for Harvard Business School as an amazing model of how to go from a storefront shop in Seattle 15 years ago to worldwide domination of the "cool coffee" market.
Their coffee? Not great, but acceptable. The price? It's realy not bad for the quality. The ambience? They are working on that and not doing too badly. I don't drink their coffee unless I have to - I don't like the fact that they have driven small local houses out of business - but anyone who says their coffee is not good or their prices are too high simply doesn't know what they are talking about.
because teens like it
its expensive and good
and it has like different style of coffe.. everything you would think of
They have one ever few blocks so people are used to them, and know the will get the same consistinsy.
I think it began just by popularity & convenience. One starbucks opened & did well, so they franchised & opened more of them.
Eventually the name Starbucks became synonymous with the concept of coffee. Now people expect to have a starbucks around every corner, and starbucks strives to live up to that expectation.
If you ask people's opinion of starbucks, you will get two extremes, those who LOVE starbucks & are loyal to them, and those who DESPISE starbucks & wouldn't dare set foot inside.
I think non-americans come to the US & see a starbucks on every corner & just assume we love them so much that we require one within eyesight at all times. Unfortunately, starbucs is a bit of a hot topic controversy in the US these days.
:o) I'll see if I can find some sights to help you out & post them if I come across any. Best of luck with school!!!
:o)
Starbucks spent plenty, PLENTY, doing psychological profiling to ensure their success, proving you can fool most of the people, most of the time, you just have to put in a little effort. That and even though their coffee is woeful, it does have lots of addictive caffeine in it, more than your regular take-away coffee.