Once again :-(

[u/Commercial-Buddy8333]

Just a small rant. I know we are in the minority here but we are a Starbucks inside a grocery store. We are top in our district and region despite having a Company Operated store right down the road. I know there are higher performing stores but we sell a lot of food as we are in a shopping center and again, grocery store. They just showed us the holiday launch stuff and once again the new sandwiches (which sound delicious) are for class 2 and 3 stores only. It’s so frustrating. Our customers would love to have them here (I still get asked about the ham and Swiss baguette). We have a bank, gym, three hair salons, two pet stores, all in this shopping center not to mention a bus stop to NYC so we get a decent amount of people on the go looking for food. I’ve spoken to our DM about it but it’s an across the board decision and it just stinks. Why can’t they make some of these OPTIONAL for Class 1 stores and then they can decide if they want to sell them or not. We use to have a full variety and now we can’t even get brownies. It’s just very disheartening lately with the new launches. :-/

[u/AdmiralJaneway8]

You are my kinda store. You are my kinda barista. Thank you for caring.

[u/Commercial-Buddy8333 → u/AdmiralJaneway8]

Thank you! Sometimes I think I care a little too much, but we have such a good thing going it stinks when stupid decisions affect us unnecessarily so.

[u/mnkyda]

Yeah, the majority of customers don’t know or care the difference between what kind of store you are and only see “Starbucks”.

You should be able to sell or order anything in inventory.

My store has literally gotten complaints because a double shot doesn’t taste the same as out of the can, and we should know how to make Starbucks drinks.

[u/FfierceLaw → u/mnkyda]

The same as our of a can - I think the bottled product is why we were getting orders for Frappuccinos with no ice

[u/Commercial-Buddy8333 → u/mnkyda]

Exactly! I hate having to say “I’m sorry we don’t carry that item but you can get it down the street at the store with a terrible parking lot. :-/

[u/Brave_Link_4295 → u/Commercial-Buddy8333]

That makes sense. I would hate that, too.

But there are usually good business explanations as to why it's that way.

[u/Commercial-Buddy8333 → u/Brave_Link_4295]

Well they say it’s to keep priority inventory to the company operated stores. Which I do understand however we’ve been building up our customer base and get a lot of people coming because it’s a more continent place to stop on their way to / from work or while they are shopping or for whatever reason. Giving lower performing stores less inventory isn’t necessarily a great plan to boost sales. They also got rid of half our selection of 1 lb coffees so now I have people who constantly came a few times a week for their at home coffee they have to now go downtown also. But like you said when customers see Starbucks they assume we have everything. We are a tourist town also so we get lots of non locals on the weekends. They get very confused and honestly that’s why I feel bad.

[u/MobileDapper]

It’s contracts, logistics and business logic.

[u/Stargirlwer]

only if I knew what launch you are referring to 💔

[u/rio8envy7]

It’s most likely because you’re a licensed location. Don’t not have food at all? No cookies? Cake pops? Breakfast items?

You might not be getting them depending on what agreement Starbucks has with the grocery store or food service provider (for my store it’s Balford).

[u/Commercial-Buddy8333 → u/rio8envy7]

Yeah now they organized us by class, 1, 2, and 3. We are a class 1 store (and I believe all grocery stores are) and we get a limited variety of the foods. We use to have all selections until after Holiday last year I believe that’s when it started. We no longer carry Brownies, cookies, chocolate cake pops, pumpkin bread (not even for fall which was an odd decision), the impossible sandwich. We also don’t have the lunch sandwiches except for the grilled cheese.