Starbucks SWOT Analysis - Key Points & Overview | MBA Skool (2024)

Starbucks is one of the leading brands in the food & beverages sector. Starbucks SWOT analysis evaluates the brand by its strengths & weaknesses which are the internal factors along with opportunities & threats which are the external factors. Let us start the SWOT Analysis of Starbucks:

Quick Glance:

  • Strengths
  • Weaknesses
  • Opportunities
  • Threats

Starbucks Strengths

  1. Starbucks has excellent brand name and brand visibility across the globe and is synonymous with coffee chains and related customer experience
  2. The company has younger demographics as its customer base helping it becoming popular and achieve scale faster
  3. Excellent ambience and service are the hallmarks of any Starbucks store
  4. Starbucks is one of the most popular coffee outlets in the world and is popularly recognized
  5. Starbucks has own brands of food products and coffee
  6. Starbucks logo and name has high brand recall
  7. The company is one of the strongest franchises in the world
  8. The company is recognized as a dependable brand by customers across the world
  9. Starbucks has a unique way of connecting with customers by writing by their names of the coffee cups which is part of the overall customer experience
  10. Starbucks has extended globally in most of the major markets and has strong supply chain network which enables them to get their own ingredients maintaining the quality across the globe at the highest standards
  11. The quality of their core offerings like Flat white, cappuccino, latte etc. is very high and people are ready to pay for the quality and ambience
  12. May people prefer coffee while travelling, Starbucks gives proper experience with good quality cups for people who want to carry their coffee out during travel and walking.

Above are the strengths in the SWOT Analysis of Starbucks. The strengths of Starbucks looks at the key internal factors of its business which gives it competitive advantage in the market and strengthens its position.

Starbucks Weaknesses

  1. Menu items at Starbucks are often perceived to be expensive as compared to other chains and local players
  2. Starbucks is still rising in a lot of newer markets like India
  3. Health conscious customers have started to move to more health based beverages
  4. Being a global chain, sometimes the expectation ofprices and experience for local market can be very different from a market like US or UK

These were the weaknesses in the Starbucks SWOT Analysis. The weaknesses of a brand are certain aspects of its business which it can improve.

Starbucks SWOT Analysis - Key Points & Overview | MBA Skool (1)

Starbucks Opportunities

  1. Introduce cheaper versions of coffee based items so that the target audience can afford them better
  2. Starbucks can tap the smaller towns/cities in newer markets
  3. Could diverse their product not only in coffee e.g. Beverages like Tea are preferred in many markets like India, UK
  4. Rising consumerism in emerging markets can lead to spend in services like good quality coffee
  5. Home Delivery and Consumer products as during pandemic a lot of customers didn't go to office or outside

Above we covered the opportunities in Starbucks SWOT Analysis. The opportunities for any brand can include prospects of future growth.

Starbucks Threats

  1. Threat from existing coffee chains and fast food outlets where coffee is offered along with other food items
  2. Dependent on Government commodity rates
  3. Global financial crisis which make peoples tend not to spend too much money.
  4. Threats of substitute products and services include other drink items such as colas, teas or juices that are sold in retails.
  5. Perceived ill effects of coffee consumption by many people.
  6. Pandemic where people tend not to go out can severely impact business

The threats in the SWOT Analysis of Starbucks are as mentioned above. The threats for any business can be external factors which can negatively impact its business.

Hence this concludes the Starbucks SWOT analysis.

Continue reading more about the brand/company.

About Starbucks

The table below gives the brand overview along with its target market, segmentation, positioning & USP

Starbucks Overview
Parent Company

Starbucks

Category

Coffee joints

Sector

Food & Beverages

Tagline/ Slogan

Bring on the day

USP

Commitment to the highest quality coffee in the world

Starbucks STP
Segmentation

People looking to go to have a coffee and snacks at a hangout place

Target Market

Youth in the middle and higher income groups

Positioning

A place where you can have a great coffee along with a great experience

This article has been researched & authored by the Content & Research Team. It has been reviewed & published by the MBA Skool Team. The content on MBA Skool has been created for educational & academic purpose only.

Browse marketing analysis of more brands and companies similar to Starbucks. This section covers SWOT Analysis along with Segmentation, Target Market, Positioning & USP of more than 2000 brands from over 20 industry sectors.

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FAQs

Why is the SWOT analysis important for Starbucks? ›

The Starbucks SWOT analysis is a useful tool for evaluating the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing the company. Starbucks has a long history of innovation, including the introduction of the coffee bar concept and the development of new products such as the Frappuccino.

What is a major weakness of Starbucks? ›

Starbucks Weaknesses – Internal Strategic Factors. For many middle tiers and working consumers, Starbucks' offerings are more costly than McDonald's and other coffee outlets. Its high prices reduce affordability for the consumers. Starbucks doesn't own the most unique products in the market.

What is Starbucks unique selling points? ›

Examples of Unique selling Point(USP's) Starbucks is known for its commitment to tailor made high quality coffee, “We'll always make it right”. The unique selling proposition for Starbucks is simple enough: “Love your beverage or let us know. We'll always make it right”.

What are some challenges Starbucks is facing? ›

Evolving consumer preferences, sustainability concerns, and increased competition in the coffee industry are among the key hurdles. Additionally, adapting to changing global economic landscapes and ensuring a seamless integration of technology for enhanced customer experiences will be crucial.

What is the main purpose of SWOT analysis? ›

SWOT analysis is a framework for identifying and analyzing an organization's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. These words make up the SWOT acronym. The primary goal of SWOT analysis is to increase awareness of the factors that go into making a business decision or establishing a business strategy.

What is the most important in SWOT analysis? ›

In a SWOT analysis, each component (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) plays a crucial role in assessing an organization's internal and external factors. However, one could argue that the most important component in the SWOT analysis is "Strengths."

What is Starbucks biggest threat? ›

Vulnerability to coffee price fluctuations: As a major purchaser of coffee beans, Starbucks is vulnerable to fluctuations in coffee prices due to weather, political instability, and global supply and demand. These fluctuations can impact the company's profitability and force it to adjust its pricing strategy.

What does Starbucks need to improve on? ›

Elevate the brand through running better stores, growing the portfolio with more purpose-defined stores and accelerated renovations, and driving further product innovation.

Why Starbucks is suddenly struggling? ›

Ultimately, Starbucks faces a multitude of challenges that result from consumer pushback due to rising prices, lack of innovation, and employer-worker issues.

What is Starbucks main point? ›

In everything we do, we are always dedicated to Our Mission: With every cup, with every conversation, with every community - we nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection.

What is 50 points at Starbucks? ›

the most bang for your Starbucks is about to be a little less than it was. The rewards are now in 25, 50, 150, 200 and 400 increments. Different numbers of stars allow you to redeem a freebie. For example, for 50 stars you now get a free hot coffee, bakery item or tea.

What are some of Starbucks values? ›

Starbucks Values

Creating a culture of warmth and belonging, where everyone is welcome. Acting with courage, challenging the status quo and finding new ways to grow our company and each other. Being present, connecting with transparency, dignity and respect.

What is Starbucks reputation? ›

Starbucks is proud to be recognized by Fortune on their 2023 World's Most Admired Companies list, keeping our #1 spot in the Food Services industry, and ranking 14th overall – out of 645 companies – determined by nearly 4,000 executives, directors and analysts across all industries.

How is Starbucks trying to grow in the future? ›

SEATTLE – Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) today announced its long-term growth strategy, Triple Shot Reinvention with Two Pumps, to elevate the brand, strengthen and scale digital, further expand globally, identify opportunities within and outside the store for efficiencies, and reinvigorate the partner ( ...

Why Starbucks has a competitive advantage? ›

Starbuck's has a huge competitive advantage. They took a common product, coffee, and elevated it into an art form desired by many though needed by few: A $5.00 cup of coffee. They have outlets world wide, are profitable, good employers, and perform charitable good deeds.

Why does Starbucks have a competitive advantage? ›

For instance, the coffeehouse business uses its sustainable and responsible sourcing policy to differentiate its products from competitors. Also, frequent introduction of new products or variants thereof contributes to the uniqueness and competitive advantage of the company's food and beverages.

Why SWOT analysis is important in hospitality industry? ›

A SWOT analysis is also helpful for staying ahead of the competition. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the competition, hospitality professionals can develop strategies to outsmart them.

What is the purpose of pestle analysis of Starbucks? ›

The PESTEL analysis Starbucks helps to point out the key factors that can affect the growth of the business. The company has several threats and opportunities as well. They can improve their product based on the changing scenario and make demands.

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