Case Study: Target Market For Starbucks

Unit II Research Project (Starbucks)
Angelo R. Jones
BBA 3201-Priciples of Marketing
Columbia Southern University

Target Market for Starbucks Starbucks, a coffee bean sales company did not have much of a marketing plan in place at its inception. Based in Seattle Washington the company began to sell coffee beans to espresso bars and upscale restaurants back in 1982. It took 11 years to progress to that level of production, they originally were a local store vendor at Pike Place Market. The director of marketing brought back the espresso bar idea from his travels in Milan. (Company Profile, 2015) The Pacific Northwest was filled with working class men and women that were drawn to the coffeehouse tradition brought in from Italy. …show more content…

Starbucks primary business is that of selling high premium coffee. They have been able to cater a specific product to a specific demographic. Specialization allows for the Starbucks company to deliver great quality and continue to maintain their customer base. Although there is a great amount of coffee flavors the coffee bean is still the constant ingredient in the great tasting coffee. Involving technology with their market structure. Starbucks provide their dine-in customers with unlimited Wi-Fi connectivity. Customers feel comfortable in their environment and perhaps stick around a bit more to enjoy other comfort items and merchandize offered by the store. Starbucks Company have entered into business with technology gurus like Yahoo, Google and Apple. These three technological companies serve as a media outlet for the Starbucks brand. Apple has incorporated an application in their software where consumers may purchase coffee orders from their phones and pick up the product at the closest retail Starbucks store.
Weakness …show more content…

The improvements to coffee brewers and the innovation of Keurig has allowed for Starbucks to repackage their products and distribute it as a home product. Many of the flavors consumers could only get from the Starbucks espresso machine in the store can now be duplicated in the home. The opportunity for continued expansion is present. Coffee is quickly being consumed in almost every country in the world, Starbucks has a legitimate opportunity to influence those countries without the Starbucks brand to open their doors.
Threats – Foreign policy with foreign nations that host the Starbucks brand. Import and export tax is an expenditure that may and can become costly and profits can be lost. Other companies like McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, and the Coffee Beanery provide consumers with an ambient environment and some specialty coffee flavors. Proximity may be the only thing required for the consumer to select the services of the rival coffee dispensing businesses.
These are but a few of the many strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats that the Starbucks company may face. This is why a marketing team along with data and analytics is essential to comprising a new product. It requires research, innovation, hard work, and a little luck, the Starbucks Brand is more than just coffee. It’s a simple yet detailed product tailored to meet the consumers need at home, at work, and in between. (Starbucks Corporation,