Babble said

Starbucks acquired Teavana!

Teavana just posted this on Facebook: “It’s a big day for us today, we’re now joining the Starbucks family so that we can bring the perfect cup of tea to even more people around the world.”

Here’s the official press release: http://news.starbucks.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=723

What does this mean? Is this good? Bad? Also, whatever happened to that Tazo store Starbucks was supposed to open in Seattle?

In my opinion, we need all the tea we can get here in America! Your move, Starbucks.

45 Replies

I don’t know. I guess I’ll have to see how this transpires.

Here is the official article
http://news.starbucks.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=723

Babble said

Thanks. I’m going to add it to the main post.

You’re welcome :)

Login or sign up to post a message.

cuppaT said

Now my infamous Peanut Butter Mocha Matcha Latte Grande (2% milk, extra froth, chocolate sprinkles) may well become a reality.

Login or sign up to post a message.

Andie select said

Yeah I don’t know how I feel about this…

Login or sign up to post a message.

Babble said

I know. I’m so torn. I don’t know how to feel, either. My concern is local tea stores. I hope whatever Starbucks has up their sleeve helps them more than hurts them :(

Andie select said

Very good point. I am kind of excited to see what happens, hopefully just because it will mean better access to tea while out and about. I like Starbucks, but I’m not a huge fan of Teavana.. Hopefully Starbucks can improve Teavana. But I’ll always be loyal to local tea stores.

Login or sign up to post a message.

Well if it means corner teahouses like the article says that could be a good thing.

Login or sign up to post a message.

JubJubs said

I wonder how this acquisition would effect the selling environment in Teavana stores. Maybe they might relax the stance of being so adverse to selling drinks at the tea bar.

Andie select said

I’m curious about that too

well said

That would be terrible for Teavana. Tea simply isn’t the same as coffee. I sincerely hope the focus on drinks at Teavana does not change. (E.g. Not “adverse,” they shouldn’t be adverse, but it is a small portion of sales, not a big chunk.)

Login or sign up to post a message.

Uniquity said

I’m not a fan of Starbucks or Teavana, so them merging makes sense to me. They seem to have similar corporate ideas and marketing strategy, so I imagine it will be a smashing success – which is good for them : )

Login or sign up to post a message.

momo said

hahahahaha what do people do now when they ask them “so you’re the starbucks of tea?”

YES WE ARE

My thoughts exactly.

Login or sign up to post a message.

Well if it introduces more people to the wonderful world of tea, it’s good news! And then those people can head to local tea shops with their new found knowledge and support them. Staying optimistic!

Login or sign up to post a message.

I never liked the Tazo Tea selections Starbucks offered before, much less that they were teabags. But then I never cared much for Teavana either. There was so much wasted initial potential for selling a variety of high quality teas that you would know would be fresh given the turnover. Instead they push a bewildering array of tarted up flavored, lesser quality teas and emphasize the “health benefits”.

My prediction is that this will mostly result in a bigger selection of over priced “tea wares” for sale on the shelves of Starbucks. Maybe a few more fruit teas. But not teas approaching the quality of the coffees they sell.

Login or sign up to post a message.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.