I'm not a big fan of Starbucks - though I have been in a few here and there, but after having this piece brought to my attention by Lisa, I'm not sure I really want to visit one again. Amongst other things they drive indie coffee shops out of business by buying their lease from under them and saturating areas with so many outlets that not only are the indies eventually driven out of business, but the less successful of their own franchises go bust - with net revenues exceeding US$3 billion in fiscal 2002, it's a game they can afford to play because they know they'll win in the long run. Then you should read the tactics they employ to keep their workers from either becoming full-time employees or getting a second job! The linked article is a little long, but well worth a read. Evil indeed.
Posted by Joe at September 30, 2003 11:08 PMSad to say, here in Tokyo Starbucks is generally about as good as it gets. It's nice to see Tully's putting up token resistance in isolated cases such as Akasaka.
I like 'bux because it's non-smoking, which is the same reason my wife hates it.
But bottom line (too literally!), I don't need to drink lattes every day. I'm better off without them. So I enjoy a 'bucks when I want something, and not just out of sheer habit.
Posted by: DJ at October 1, 2003 06:34 AMWell we have at least one better alternative in Kyoto! ;+)
Posted by: Joe at October 2, 2003 02:57 PM