Starbucks Case Study

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Starbucks Case Study December N. Diarra February 17, 2012 MBA6012 Abstract This case study is an analysis of Starbucks Corporation and how they execute a strategic marketing plan that has been successful for them as a company. A company may have a wonderful product, but without strategic posturing, identification of a target market and an innovative marketing plan a company will not be able to successfully market its products to consumers. The coffee market has evolved over and has become more competitive. This paper focuses on how Starbucks differentiates its self from other competitors to gain and maintain a leading position in their industry. When it comes to business strategies and market approach, Starbucks is switching from being profit oriented to becoming more consumer centered. The main questions that are addressed with in this paper are why do so many adults drive to Starbucks to stand in line and pay marked up prices just to drink Starbucks’s gourmet coffee? Who are these people and how does Starbucks position their product to meet the consumer’s needs. This paper will also address how Starbuck’s integrated marketing communications enables them to become more profitable and how the use of marketing communications are a means in which Starbucks can try to inform, persuade their consumer base. Keywords: Strategic Marketing Plan, Integrated Marketing, Customer Centric The first Starbucks opened its doors in 1971 in Seattle Washington’s historic Pike Place Market. The company was founded by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegel, and Gordon Bowker. Within the first ten years of operation Starbucks sold fresh roasted gourmet coffee beans and coffee accessories for brewing. The founders came together with the help of Howard Shultz, an entrepreneur, who worked as the companies Director of Retail Operations and Marketing. Shultz came up with the idea of

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