Starbucks Global Expansion Strategy, with a focus on China.

Starbuck 's has become a staple of American culture and for the most part, if you are in your 20 's, you have grown up with it and this has become what you expect coffee to be. Who can blame you, it is everywhere, so "wake up and smell the coffee"! I plan to tell you about the strategies that this giant uses, that have taken it from humble beginnings to a worldwide phenomenon. I also intend to explain how Starbucks is taking China by storm, mainly because marketer / entrepreneur Howard Schultz 's vision and mission statement is shared by everyone in the company!An excerpt from the London Financial Times published in February 2006 states the following in regards to Starbucks entering the Chinese market; "Mr Schultz said the company was looking at new ways to tailor the menu to local tastes, as US fast food chains have done." This statement leads me to believe that Starbucks pursues a multi-domestic strategy. A multi-domestic strategy implies that the company is located in separate countries, operates on its own, allows for change, and responds to national operational, product, and market requirements. Starbucks does exactly this! Furthermore, Starbucks makes the customization of products and marketing strategies its priority upon entering new territories.

In addition, another article from Wall Street Journal, New York also published in February 2006 talks about how Mr Schultz feels about the importance of a shared commitment; "Our global success would not be possible without our international partners, who share in our values and commitment to bringing the Starbucks Experience to customers worldwide. How we choose partners is critical to our success!" Some of these considerations and shared attributes are a critical involvement and commitment of top management in daily operations, sufficient financial and human resources, a good strategic fit, and a genuine sense of shared values and corporate culture.

One of the amazing things about Starbucks is the fact that the

Cited: Wall Street Journal, New York, February 14, 2006, Starbucks Call China Its Top Growth Focus:-Financial Times. London: February 14, 2006, Starbucks aims for new tier in China Cafes:-Howard Schultz, CEO Starbuck 's Corp. - www.starbucks.com (about us - international)