As a tradition, I normally write at least one off-season post about Christmas merchandise at Starbucks. My theory is that the merchandisers have to plan well in advance for the holiday season of each year, so it makes sense to start talking about it very early. In fact, I don’t remember where, but I’ve heard that Christmas merchandise planning at Starbucks begins 18 months in advance of when it actually is launched in the stores. Christmas 2012 is about 18 months from now, and so now is the time to talk about it.
This blog post features 1990s-era pottery. It’s remarkable pottery. It looks like the emphasis was on the quality of the pottery, and not Starbucks as a brand. The actual Starbucks logo is nowhere to be found on these items. These are fairly heavy pieces, and handmade in Italy! I also think that the number of pieces that go together is larger than what we typically see in a Starbucks now. What I mean by that is that these days one cannot purchase a whole set of coordinating items at Starbucks: mugs, plates, saucers, and pitcher. The pitcher is large and would be perfect for your favorite eggnog recipe! I can’t imagine seeing all those pieces in a store now.
By the way, the 1990s to early 2000s was definitely the era of an amazing amount of Starbucks merchandise offered in stores. The variety and ingenuity of merchandise from that era is stunning. I can only assume that since Starbucks at some point began to act as if they had the Midas touch: since everything they touched turned to gold, they began to touch everything. And with that came an explosion of merchandise launched in stores. Why not offer a Starbucks Limoges Box, paperclips, an amazing assortment of mugs, a Valentine’s Day stationary box, a snow globe, a children’s writing box, and who knows, maybe a blender too while we’re at it? The plus side of that 1990s-era attitude is that Starbucks was really brave and bold in the kinds of merchandise they offered. Now, Starbucks is pretty timid in their merchandise launches. Not much of it, and very little that is completely unexpected. I have heard that their merchandise sold well for the most part, although the hand-made Italian pottery actually did not sell that well. People don’t walk into Starbucks looking for very expensive pottery sets for their home.
This is an OPEN THREAD! Feel free to talk about anything related to Starbucks! Take it away and comment on anything under the sun related to Starbucks!
And here are past blog articles related to Christmas:
What Christmas merchandise do you want to see this year? (The off-season Christmas merchandise blog post from one year ago).
1991 Starbucks Christmas Blend Coffee advertisement. (This is just a really interesting looks at print ad that Starbucks ran in 1991).
(Thank you Molly at Seattle Custom Framing for taking all these great pictures.)
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I LOVE THIS MUG! Don’t think I’ve ever seen it before, or remember it. I do agree with you that ‘the 1990s to early 2000s was definitely the era of an amazing amount of Starbucks merchandise offered in store’ I am particularly fond of the 2002 City Mug series and the smaller 4-pack City Mugs that came out at Christmas time 🙂
(9962)
wow! these are beautiful. I don’t remember seeing this in Sbux back then, altho actually, one of those plates looks very familiar. I do know, as we have both written, there was a ton more merchandise, while STILL keeping the focus on COFFEE, way more than today. It’s odd really: today we have very little mecrhandise, and also less emphasis on COFFEE! (unless you count VIA, which I don’t)
I guess their little glass made in Spain is supposed to make up for all this these days! (the glass recently out) but, it doesn’t!
(9963)
I would love to see more Hanukkah merchandise. It always just seems to be a mug, tumbler, and gift card every year.
(9964)
These are beautiful. Melody, I assume you own them? Lucky you!
There wasn’t Starbucks around here till 1995 so I love seeing some of the things that have come and gone over the years that I would never have had the opportunity to see.
I’m hoping they shake things up a bit this year with the merchanidse, the past two years really haven’t seemed a lot different from each other (with the exception of the adorable Huxley merchandise). Fingers crossed!
Diele, I’ve never seen any Hanukkah merchandise in stores around here. I know from my previous experience that it would sell, I guess maybe Starbucks doesn’t know it though.
(9965)
@Michelle – No I didn’t buy them when they were new, but I own them. I DO remember the “pottery” era of Starbucks. I have to cringe and wince at all the people who come on to MSI and all write that ‘Starbucks shouldn’t ever sell that’ and vote down every merch idea. Starbucks used to sell such amazing stuff – and most of it DID really sell. It was careless expansion of Starbucks into locations that were less than ideal that hurt Starbucks far more than their well-thought out merchandise.
I went to the home of a former SSC partner who worked at the hq from about 1993 to 1998. She was getting rid of her collectibles. I bought a few things, and all of these Christmas pottery items came from her, and she bough them in the stores during that era. The previous blog post on Starbucks Paperclips also was the exact same store: Collectibles out of the home of a former SSC partner (who I think now works at Costco??)
http://www.starbucksmelody.com/2011/01/12/memorable-merchandise-moments-in-starbucks-history-paper-clips/
(9966)
I so totally agree that the Hanukah merchandise is quite lacking in style and substance in the store. I always get upset that it seems like SB ignores this community of customers. And I also agree that I believe this merchandise would sell.
(9967)
Since this is an open thread discussion I have to remark about one of my pet peeves of late. I have noticed in the discussion of the bistro boxes that from one store to another there is no clear communication as to when these new items will be on the shelves. As a customer, it is quite frustrating to hear bits and pieces of info and then go to your local store and find either no info from the partners or just a little. No real enthusiasm for any new product.
(9968)
@Purple1 – I would not expect any “barista” to know all this information yet. They don’t have access to it at most stores! They rely on the Store Manager to go on the portal, and then tell the partners. The partners at your store just don’t know, and it’s hard to be enthusiastic about what you don’t know anything about. Go easy on them pretty please. 🙂 Blame that leak, ‘Melody’.
The promo materials haven’t arrived at my store. I just take the iniative to search the portal.
purple – You should see the Bistro Boxes on July 12th 🙂
Definitely more creative graphics than what we see today. Kinda cute!
Oh….sorry to put this here but it’s either that or ak that you, Melody, email:
@LatteRose: thanx so much for the magnets. very very pretty. appreciate them.
For those talking about Hanukah merch, I think it also depends on the location. I know on Mercer Island in years past, there has been more Hanukah merch than I’d see anywhere else.
Am not sure where Mercer Island is, but I do know around here the Hanukah merchandise would sell and I know of other locations where it would sell as well.
I always look in the promo materials at all offered and either try to order or seek out somewhere in my area. It is never much. I would love to see a story book and Huxley this year. How neat would that be for the younger kids?
@Diele – I agree that Huxley coming back is a great idea. I would love to see another Huxley story.
@purple1 – Mercer Island is a city (and an island) not far from Seattle. Despite that itt’s a short drive from Seattle, I almost never go to any of the Starbucks there. I have had numerous partners tell me that there is a very large, gorgeous Starbucks on that island that has a good reputation for customer service too. I have never been to it, but it’s been on my mental list for months and months of stores that I might like to get to, to write about eventually.
I would adore a Hanukkah Huxley and a Christmas Huxley for those who practice. I always look forward to the chocolate covered items(just diagnosed with food allergies and hope I can still have them).
I wonder if the advent calender is gone for good? It always sold well in my stores, even at Safeway Starbucks.
@Diele I agree! I always get my hands on the chocolate covered things they put out! I had too many of the chocolate macadamia nuts last year, that I started to get sick of them…they were really rich. The peppermint brownie was amazing!
I also just look forward to the red cup design…that is probably the single thing I love the most about Starbucks over the holidays!! I was hoping they would have done another heart cup this year for Valentine’s Day, like they had in the past. 🙁
I want more tea cups and saucers. I think my last set is from 2007.
Anyone else wondering where the chocolate covered espresso beans are???
Yes, Diele. I miss the espresso beans.
I miss the products that used to be in the stores. I liked the little finds that used to be there. I understand trimming it down some… but seriously – having some of those items encourages people to shop and stay a while. It can be a way to further make the customer feel like they are welcomed to the store – not just “Here’s your coffee kthxbai”
I really want the special espresso roast to return. It is a shame that there is no holiday version as I refrain from giving my mother anything saying Christmas as we don’t celebrate. I loved the flavour of the Christmas Espresso Blend. The gingerbread biscottis definitely brought out the spiciness- any other neat pairing ideas from last year?
I hope there are neat bearistas and not recessionista bears.
I’ve stopped at two locations – one in a Target and one stand alone. The one at Target had one person there who seemed bored. The store got my order wrong after saying it 3 times. I gave up and took my then cold shots to the half & half at the bar making it colder – and left.
I still have hope. (And about $7 left on my Sbux card!)
Three times? What did you order? I am sorry you had a bad experience. If you are in the Gilbert, Arizona area then check my store out. =)
I’m in Massachusetts now. I was in AZ until recently. When I get back that way, I will Diele!
I ordered a fairly uncomplicated Vente Americano with cream and sugar free vanilla. No water.
My 5 shots were cold in the cup as it was handed to me.. It did have the vanilla. No cream…
Sadly, that was the first caffiene I’d had in days. My friends don’t drink coffee, therefore there are no coffee making things here. While I Love the Via it’s a bit much($) for me to drink everyday. So… It was a sad coffee moment.
Most Starbucks experiences are good or even great ones. I’m sure the next will be better.
Re trying to get your drink correct, Coolwatyr – It is a shame that you went through this experience. Seems like the drink you ordered should not have been too complicated to make. Do you think it is a training issue or lack of concern on the partner’s part to make the customer happy?
Doesn’t sound that hard. If I go to a licensed store and I can see the confusion, I explain it to them. That soundn’t need an explanation unless they didn’t go through the first block of bar training. Americanos, latte, and cappuccino are the first drinks taught in training(building blocks of drinks).
I’m not sure… The gentleman taking my order had to ask me what I wanted three times – hot venti americano one extra shot – no water – cream with Sugar free vanilla. (said just that clearly each time)
There were 3 people working and no other customers. It wasn’t a case of being busy. I felt like I confused them wanting it hot with no water. Everyone got that it was 5 shots. After that it was lost.
I hate saying they didn’t care – but i don’t feel like it was a training issue (at least not as far as making drinks)
I would ask how much cream as a hot no water americano leaves a ton of room. Clarification was needed and a lack of personal pride in handcrafting each beverage to perfection hindered your experience. I apologize for your experience. I hate hearing about these as I feel it ruins a customer’s perception of Starbucks as a whole.
Diele… I still love Starbucks. The mishaps are an anomaly.
Melody – sorry my move and new store experience took over…
I have left your cards at Sbux and airports across the country now.
@Coolwatyr – Thank you much for spreading my little cards! It’s okay to have a little side chatter in this blog. It’s still a small enough site that it’s not a problem. I’m no mystarbucksidea.com.
Since this was ‘officially’ titled an ‘open thread’ and since incorrectly made drinks are just being spoken of I want to add this: I am SO tired of needing to tell a batista, on bar, whatis wrong with the way they either have made or are making my drink(s). This happened to me yesterday for the 2nd time this week. A new partner was on bar (and the SM was right behind her but facing away from the bar)…just a SIMPLE thing like: she shook my iced grande quad doublshot with the milk already in it. I watched this happen. I waited til she was putting the lid on just to make sure I wasn’t imagining this (and that she would then be topping it off with milk….but no, I was right, she put the lid on and handed it over). I tried to be very polite about it but told her: for the future, the milk is supposed to be added at the end, as a topper, not shaken…and then I called out (he was right there) to the SM, and said: isn’t that right? and used his name. He very casually said, yeah, that’s right…and told her she should add the milk at the end, NOT shaking it. This is NOT a huge deal but it does actually make a taste difference. The iced doubleshot has to be one the easiest possible bar drinks made. I would think that possibly learning it once (clearly, she did know all the steps, but not the order) would be enough. If it is not, then it’s up to the SM or shift to either NOT have them on bar alone, or, at all.
This is what I tire of. It is a huge lack of proper training for the baristas, as I see it. H.S. thinks, or so he has said, that they are all getting exceptional training now. Well, I don’t see it. Just the day before my shots were “bad”…not a good taste, way too bitter. (which I did bring to their attention…as far as I’m concerned, they should’ve offered to re-make it) If the right barista is on, I know the shots will be excellent..she watches the calibration carefully. If not, it’s hit or miss and that’s just not right.
It should NOT be up to us as customers to continually need to correct how a drink is made. I realize there are way more very good baristas out there than the not-so-good-ones. But, as I said, I feel it is up to Sbux to do more proper training and then be responsible for the drinks that are made!
sorry the rant……
Denise I am so glad you posted this comment. I can’t begin to tell you how much I agree with the issue of training and responsibility. I have had issues many times with how I like my drink and the interesting part of this is that most every partner at my local SB knows how I like it and usually 100% of the time I get it the way I like it, however, there are times when a partner wants to do it her/his way and just disagrees with me on the best way to enjoy the drink I want and then makes it the way they think is best. There are times depending on the crowds when I will just take it but more than not I will say do it over. It is not complicated. What do they say? Customers are always right? Loyalty should be important as well as customer service.
Unfortunately the Starbucks double shot on ice was a promotional item and discontinued in 2009. There is no recipe card for it anymore, so you rely on someone hired before that time to know it or to train all the new hires. Same goes for black and white mochas, marble mocha macchiatos, etc.
What a cute collection of pottery! I really wish Starbucks would do more unique things with their merchandise. While I’ll never get tired of picking up a Starbucks mug here and there, I’d really enjoy some more options. As a sucker for stuffed animals, I always loved the Bearista bears—or Barkista, the stuffed dog, that I’m pretty sure only ever happened once. I even have a few Halloween-themed ‘monster’ stuffed toys from Starbucks!
I did really like what they did last year with the theme of stories. I hope they have some fun new things this coming Christmas!
@purple1 – The drink should be made to your taste profile, not the partner’s. What is the drink?
And true, it is an open thread! We can talk about whatever we want to.
Melody my drink is very simple – an iced green tea. I like it with little ice, no shaking, no water just straight green tea and light ice. Some partners just cannot believe that this drink can test really good this way. I guess everyone has their own take on how to enjoy a drink, but for sure this is not the way a partner is taught to make this drink and apparently from what I am told I seem to be in the minority with regards to the way I like it.
It is shaken by standard but if you want it that way, I would have no problem. I am one of those black tea drinkers that like it shaken the full 10 times like it is supposed to be. To each their own. Now that I think about it, I am your polar opposite(iced venti no classic, no water, extra extra ice, shaken black tea. I like my tea cold throughout(hence the extra ice and ensuring it is shaken). I am a tea fanatic and am aware each person has a preference. They should happily oblige.
@Diele: I realize that the doubleshot was removed from the pos and the menu…but quite afew people still order this drink around here…everywhere that I’ve asked: “yes, we get quite a number of requests for this every day”. And, at the store I was referring to, I get this drink there about every other day. I know at least 6 of the partners know it well. (even my particular way of having it)
I understand what you’re saying about some of the partners not knowing this if they only worked at Sbux since….. whenever. I still find it tiring to explain it or receive a badly made drink. If a customer asks for a drink that a barista doesn’t know, maybe they should ask for help!
I agree you should always ask for help. Why risk losing a customer?
You know what I miss? The assortment pack of tea that wasn’t in a fancy holder. I already have three of the fancy tea holders. Lol. I think I put it on MSI already, but it irks me every year. I want to be green!
I would love to see the peppermint mugs that came out a few years ago. Also bring back the maple macchiatto please
Yeah, the doubleshot thing should be added back, I agree. at my store, only one partner knows the exact recipe, and anytime it’s ordered there’s always a dispute between partners who worked when it was around on the actual way to do it. from what I understand its two oz of cream or milk poured on top to give it that cool effect. : )
@Kate – I remember when the doubleshot was launched as a summer drink thinking, ‘this is not going to be easy to take away.’ It was clear that a group of folks loved the high number of shots for the beverage. I don’t know the recipe either by the way but I could tell it was a value for the number of shots.
And by the way, let me officially say welcome to the blog! This is a small little quiet blog. Hope you’ll “like” the blog’s facebook page too (see widget in right hand column) or here – http://www.facebook.com/pages/StarbucksMelody/180068562003180
Thanks again for dropping by.
By the way, I think an orange syrup could make a good holiday promotional beverage. After all, I kind of think of satsumas as a winter treat, and oranges as more of a winter fruit.
~Melody
Here is the official recipe from 2008:
tall 2 shots, 2 pumps classic
Grande 3 shots, 3 pumps classic
Venti 5 shots, 5 pumps classic
Use a tea shaker to add the syrup first then a full scoop of ice(appropriate to the size). Pour the shots over the ice and then add the lid to shake ten times. Pour contents of the shaker into cup and then top off with milk. It is supposed to be layered and does not leave room for much milk. I hope that helps.
The doubleshot has to be one of the simplest drinks asked for. Even with ‘variations’…ie: I have 2 splendas instead of classic and non-fat milk. (grande quad) If it seems simple to me, surely it would be to baristas who make all kinds of way more complex combinations all day….
it’s a complicated drink,because technically it’s not a drink anymore. Starbucks didn’t give a recipe card for this drink, so technically it doesn’t truly exist anylonger. Unortunately. I love this drink, but the company hasn’t put it in our line. That’s why baristas don’t know the “exact way” to make it. Not because they want to make it their way, but because there isnt a way to make it. That being said, I know what you mean by some baristas insisting on doin it their way. The company spent a lot of money to teach us all how to make drinks the same way. I’m not sure why some don’t want to.
I’ve been pretty disenchanted for years now since their holiday merchandise disappeared! I’ve been searching on eBay, Etsy, you name it, for their old Halloween merch.
I really hope they bring some of that back. It was a good reason to pop in to the stores! It made everything so much more lively! Also always wonder what ever happened to Harvest blend.
I have got to write them!
Thanks for posting this!
I found this post while researching\trying to find out why Starbucks quit launching Halloween merchandise!! I have all the monster-ish type mugs from past years and currently drinking out of my 2006 Cyclopes!! We should flood Starbucks with pleas to bring back their theme merchandise!!