Starbucks to Enter Bulgarian Market by End of 2008 - Report

HAH GOOD LUCK there are 6 coffee shops within a 1 block radius of my apartment in Sofia and their ALL better than a Starbucks. BG needs more cafe's as much as it needs new clubs and bars we've got these angles covered.

I am not sure this will actually work. I remember hearing many complaints from Bulgarian friends that they did not like the "American" version of coffee. (They refured to drip coffee as American coffee.) They are use to one type. Starbucks would have to change some of their coffees if they want this to work.

Starbucks was N-O-T successful in Argentina, and is largely ignored in Austria and Germany; Greeks are avoiding it, because it does not offer the so called Greek coffee;
The Italians would not substitute espresso or cappuccino with a coffee that goes by the same name but is served in paper cups; Every self-respecting French wouldn't dare
replace his/hers local sidewalk Cafe with one with no atmosphere- shall I continue?
Coffee with milk is not the same as CafГ© au lait, especially if you have it in one of the 1,150 Starbucks coffee shops in Europe.
And do you know why?-because Starbucks tried unsuccessfully to migrate its coffee brand into a lifestyle brand. They came out with the movies and the books in the stores which is O.K., but as part of this, they essentially took a step away from the core quality of the brand, which was the coffeehouse experience, the cafe society which they imported from Europe and turned into an American experience. For a while, no one was grinding beans. The place didn’t sound like the coffeehouse and didn’t smell like the coffeehouse anymore. Starbucks is in big trouble here in America, but the Greeks obviously think different.

ptba,
"he cafe society which they imported from Europe and turned into an American experience"

IT seems you are lacking some info on Starbucks. IT never "imported" anything from Europe. IT was established in Seattle and grew from a Pacific Northwest "coffee culture". It is an American company that caters to more American cultures which is not the same as the European "coffee culture". Starbucks is not a bad company, in fact there are not that many companies that give their part time employees health insurance. I just don't think that it will be a successful venture in BG, because they view coffee differently. If they want to succeed they will need to find a way to adapt to local needs.

the toilets are clean and the self-service is fast and on a weekend i am so sure SB will have many clients and if they include free wi-fi then for sure it will work..

at the moment Coffee Heaven, Costa Coffee and Onda are doing great trade so cannot see SB cannot aldo equally well

I don't like SB and don't drink there but if they have nice clean toilets and wi-fi then i am there ;)

ever seen a 'cafe' with a drive thru? Nuff said.

logical problem for SBux: they brought cafe feel to USA but how can they bring cafe feel to Europe when cafe society already there?

The COFFEE culture of the US Pacific Northwest that has caught on around America is very different from the CAFE culture in Europe.

Starbucks is great for our fast-paced lifestyle here, whether you like that lifestyle or you don't. People drive thru on their way to work, on long road trips, etc. The inside queue also moves relatively quickly and the beverages are always served in paper cups here so you can take them with you, although people do sometimes consider it a destination and linger with friends or the newspaper. There are always several different seating areas, some with cozy couches and others with little tables. Since we don't sit still much, people drive, walk, shop, etc. with that Starbucks cup planted in their hand and go back later for refills.

The other strange thing about Starbucks is that people seem to camp out and use it as their office, using the wifi. I haven't seen actual meetings conducted, but there are some locations where you see the same independent consultants typing away on their laptops every day. While this is different from how I imagine most European cafes, it still involves sitting for long periods of time drinking coffee.

It's possible that it might work, since you CAN sort of use it either the US way or the European way, but the novelty just might wear off as people taste the coffee. It's not the best coffee, but I do occasionally drink it (disguised in a latte that hides the burnt taste) because they're everywhere. Everywhere.

On the bright side, maybe they can use the extra cups, napkins, and signage from the 600 stores that are closing throughout the rest of the world.

Just one more Starbucks comment...
Didn't a lot of people say the same things about McDonalds before they went to Europe? Even though they have a drive-thru and don't serve real food, they appear to be alive and well, even though everybody says they hate them. Maybe there's room for many different concepts after all.

just me:

I can't speak for all of Europe, but all the McDonaldl's and Burger King places I've been in (once in a while I get hungry for a hamburger and go there) here in Germany, they're doing a thriving business Depending upon the time of day, they get extremely crowded in the seats and with long lines at four cashiers.

At the new place I've just moved to, there's a little Turkish bistro right next door. They make terrific salads, and some Turkish and Italian specialties. Talk about convenience! It's wonderful.

Hi Bill,
Yes, I've always noticed how busy the McDonalds are in my travels too, even the one that is near the hotel where we have always stayed in Sofia.

That Turkish/Italian place sounds great! How fortunate for you, since you're not up for walking long distances yet. I am glad you're out and about getting some fresh air and sunshine.

Take care of yourself, and be nice to (ignore) WW. :)
jm (off for some fresh air and sunshine myself.)

JM,
Have you "seen the light?" What a different person you are today. Did you get a knock at the door from our mormon friends. Only yesterday you were calling the old fart "Billy Willy poo poo pants". OR have you been drinking tonight?

Hi JM,

With all due respect.....

"and be nice to (ignore) WW. :)"

I don't think it is nice to ignore people.

WickedWitch has alot of valid points and I for one, respect her and admire her, ALOT!

Have fun in the sun, don't forget to wear sunscreen! :-)

PS
I HATE "Mickie D's" and "The Home of the Whopper".
I don't drink coffee. I get my fix from Coke Classic so Starbucks isn't my cup of tea. I think they will do quite well in BG though...but what do I know??

Hi RS,

With all due respect..... (huh? thanks?) :)

My request for Bill to ignore WW was partly selfish. I get tired of scrolling through all his griping and scolding pertaining to her (his opinion, not mine) "superior attitude." Plus, if he's so convinced that she is simply out there to pick on him, then he might be happier if he could ignore her. I don't think it's nice to ignore people who communicate sincerely either, but if you REALLY think they're out there just to be mean to you, with no genuine interest whatsoever, then you COULD make that choice.

I adore WW too. You wouldn't think otherwise, would you? I've never written anything but nice things to or about her.

I did have fun at the pool with mini and I stayed in the shade. :) Thanks!

Fast food isn't my favorite either, I just notice that a lot of Europeans complain about the American influence of McD's etc. on their culture/landscape, yet they're always busy.

Classic Coke is doing well abroad, too, I think. I'll bet you've been able to find it anywhere you've traveled. It tastes good to me occasionally, but it's rare that I drink (what's the word in NY?) pop? soda? soft drinks? I don't like to consume much sugar, and the artificial sweeteners are scary. I do love coffee, but not those goofy iced ones and nothing sweet. ick.

Have a nice evening. Hope it's been a lovely summer for you.
jm :)

eurotourist.
What difference does it make to you?
Bill and I go way back. He understands that I am not being vicious when I call him those cute names. Now, you? I have no idea why you're addressing me at all or why you'd care. Sockpuppet? Gnat? Awkwardly trying to make friends? (lol)

Take care,
jm

jm
It isn't as much as a mouse's toley to me! "Cute names"? Have you been somewhere you shouldn't have been?