《Starbucks Marketing Plan》.pdf

Starbucks Marketing Plan Katie Tewell Bethany Odom Kelly Snider December 12, 2006 Executive Summary What was once a small coffee shop opened by Gerald Baldwin, Gordon Bowker, and Ziev Siegl in 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has grown into the number one specialty coffee retailer. With over 10,000 coffee shops in more than 30 countries, of which 4,200 are licensed and franchised and 6,000 are owned, the company’s main objective is to establish Starbucks as the “most recognized and respected brand in the world,” (Moon). Currently, Starbucks is relying on retail expansion, product innovation, and service innovation to achieve a long-term goal once set by current chairman Howard Schultz: “The idea was to create a chain of coffeehouses that would become America’s “third place.” At the time, most Americans had two places in their lives – home and work. But I believed that people needed another place, a place where they could go to relax and enjoy others, or just be by themselves. I envisioned a place that would be separate from home or work, a place that would mean different things to different people,” (Moon). By working toward this goal, Starbucks wants to open new stores in both new and existing markets, expand their product development process, and cater to customers’ needs to eventually improve their financial position and dominate market share. Market Summary • Target Markets o In the early stages of development for Starbucks, Schultz identified their target market as “affluent, well-educated,