The Constant Gardner May 31, 2008
Machinery Maker's Returns Look Good, Not Great (Gardner Denver, Activision, Aeropostale, Corning, Wabtec) at SmartMoney (SmartMoney)
A Perfect Shot of Espresso May 18, 2008
It is with those consumers in mind that illycaff, the innovative Italian maker of espresso machines (and the top European exporter of coffee to North America), recently made an audacious claim: Its new Francis Francis X7 would consistently create a "perfect shot of espresso." You can get a machine now for $395 at the X7 will be rolled out to national retailers shortly. I tried the machine for a week and have to concur; it did, indeed, produce perfect shots. (Time.com)
Hot for espressoMachines are popular choice of newlyweds May 6, 2008
many newlyweds may be getting espresso machines ... Some espresso machines are priced as low as $50 ... About one million espresso machines are sold. (Kalamazoo Gazette, MI)
Licensed for profits: Pop icons may generate $200B in '08 sales Apr 16, 2008
Vespa's looking to become a symbol for Italian design in apparel, footwear and espresso machines. Food companies also want to grow into pop icons. (USA Today -- Money)
Wake Up and Sell the Coffee Mar 28, 2008
Of course, every change that Starbucks has made over the past few years--automated espresso machines, preground coffee, drive-throughs, fewer soft chairs and less carpeting--was made for a reason: to smooth operations or boost sales, two inescapable goals for a publicly traded company. Those may have been the right choices at the time, Schultz wrote, but together they ultimately diluted the coffee-centric experience. (Time.com)
Starbucks pledges change and lots of it Mar 21, 2008
Meanwhile, new espresso machines designed to deliver a better, more consistent latte will be moved into 30 percent of U.S. company-owned stores by the end of this year, and in 75 percent of those stores by 2010. Another new machine, called the Clover and designed to make individual cups of premium drip coffee, also will roll out slowly and not necessarily make it to every store. (MSNBC -- Business)
Starbucks Enhances Coffee 'Experience' Mar 20, 2008
The company will also be replacing its espresso machines with Mastrena machines. More than 30% of U.S. company-operated stores will have the new machine by the end of 2008, and 75% will have the Mastrena by the end of 2010. (Forbes -- Markets)
Grinding beans in stores to bring back aroma... Mar 20, 2008
Mastrena will replace existing espresso machines in half of all stores by the end of 2009. It will be in 30 percent of all U.S. company-owned stores by year-end and in 75 percent of them by the end of 2010. (The Drudge Report)
Starbucks hopes networking site adds jolt to sales outlook Mar 20, 2008
At its highly charged annual meeting on Wednesday, the struggling coffee kingpin announced detailed steps to fix the brand, and they all focus on coffee sales: new espresso machines; a new website where consumers can submit ideas and chat; a new coffee that will be freshly ground in stores; and a loyalty card ... New espresso machines ... Starbucks will install high-tech espresso machines in all U.S. stores. (USA Today -- Money)
Starbucks reverts to root to woo customers Mar 20, 2008
The company will also replace its espresso machines with Mastrena machines. Schultz said that 75 percent of all Starbucks locations will have the new espresso machine by the end of 2010. (Xinhuanet, China)
Kimobean Hawaiian Coffee has big expansion, renovation plans Mar 8, 2008
The partners also are looking into opening a shop at an undetermined location on Kauai, as well as creating a wholesale subsidiary that will market espresso machines, supplies and whole beans. The older stores, including two at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island and one each at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki and the Ambassador Hotel Waikiki, will be renovated to reflect an overall company rebranding, Miyoshi said. (Pacific Business News, HI)
Starbucks closes for 3 hours Feb 27, 2008
The move comes about a year after a memo was made public in which Schultz openly fretted about whether the Starbucks brand was being watered down by changes including adding automated espresso machines and using pre-ground, pre-packaged coffee in stores. Both moves have robbed the stores of some of their aroma and romance but have allowed customers to get their caffeine fix more quickly. (MSNBC -- Business)
Starbucks Employees Take Espresso 101 Feb 27, 2008
switched to automatic espresso machines years ago, but it still takes skill to work them. Baristas have to adjust the grind to make sure a shot doesn't pour too quickly, making it watery, or too slowly, making it bitter. (CBS News -- 60 minutes)
Starbucks temporarily closing stores Tuesday Feb 26, 2008
By The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 02/25/08. Joke all you want about the $4 cup of coffee, but what if you couldn't get your daily fix of Starbucks. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Travel)
Starbucks closing —for 3 hours Feb 26, 2008
Starbucks temporarily closing stores Tuesday. By The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 02/25/08. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Shared work spaces a wave of the future Feb 20, 2008
In co-working, a group of freelancers or other solo entrepreneurs share one big office space with perks that they might not get at home, such as conference rooms, espresso machines and opportunities for socializing. Co-working sites usually give members the option of renting a desk that becomes their own reserved space. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Starbucks stores to shut 3 hours on Feb. 26 for retraining baristas Feb 12, 2008
Some people have speculated Starbucks will return to manual espresso machines, but O'Neil said the espresso-making equipment will be the same. "It's really about ensuring that the customer experience that we provide is the best that it can be.". (Seattle Times)
Coffee shops aim for industry's great white whale Feb 9, 2008
He said the switch to automatic espresso machines, the loss of aroma and the changing of store sight lines were among the factors that removed the "romance and theater" of Starbucks. Lamb said Starbucks employees are taught to push buttons rather than be the true baristas that attracted customers to their cafes in the first place. (Columbus Business First, OH)
Can Starbucks go with the flow? Feb 9, 2008
The move to automated espresso machines is a case in point. "In the old days you walked into a Starbucks and the first thing that hit you was the smell of the coffee," Prof. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Choice selection Jan 31, 2008
Model kitchens furnished with a wide variety of ovens, cooktops, warming drawers, built-in espresso machines, wine storage units and refrigerators, occupy most of the showroom. Pages: 1. (Houston Business Journal, TX)
Struggling in the U.S., Starbucks looks to the past for its future Jan 30, 2008
As the company grew and customer traffic increased, Starbucks expanded its food offerings while introducing efficiencies like those automated espresso machines. Gradually, complaints surfaced that Starbucks felt more like a fast-food restaurant than a coffeehouse. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
How to escape the madness Jan 22, 2008
Some analysts say the trend picked up pace after the tragedy of September 11, 2001, as more people set up home offices, bought espresso machines and created uber-cool entertainment spaces. A safe retreat from the wacky world outside. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
An open letter to the founder of Starbucks Jan 13, 2008
It's been almost a year since you wrote that now-famous memo to your executive staff: the one in which you bemoaned what you called "the watering down of the Starbucks experience." The one where you defended each individual decision that had led to that diminished experience - like the switch to automated espresso machines - yet still urged your staff to find a way to recapture the "romance and theater.". Today in Business with Reuters. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
A Starbucks - McDonald's Battle Brews Jan 11, 2008
According to the story, McDonald's is planning to capitalize on the public's willingness to pay $4 for a cup of coffee by hiring baristas and dropping espresso machines in 14,000 of their fast-food outlets. Meanwhile, Starbucks, with business lagging, is fighting back with an "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" strategy, by offering heated breakfast sandwiches and adding drive-thru windows to some of their locations. (Time.com)
McLatte? McDonald's Takes On Starbucks Jan 8, 2008
McDonald's will install coffee bars at its 14,000 U.S. stores, incorporating theatrics similar to Starbucks' counters, displaying espresso machines and having baristas prepare drinks, the report said. Related Stories. (ABC News -- Business)
Founder back behind the counter Jan 8, 2008
It would install coffee bars at its 14,000 US stores, incorporating theatrics similar to Starbucks counters by displaying espresso machines and having baristas prepare drinks, the report said. The report, citing internal documents from last year, said the move would add $US1 billion ($1. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Horizon filled with big ideas: National contractor plans to hire more employees, expand Mount Pleasant hub Jan 6, 2008
A coffee bar/lounge on each floor, with espresso machines. A 2,700-square-foot fitness center. (Racine Journal Times, WI)
What's In, What's Out with Home Buyers in 2008 Jan 3, 2008
Outfitted with serving bars featuring wine coolers, espresso machines, and grazing snacks. And, a burgeoning need for in-home hair salons. (RealtyTimes)
China Travel News Dec 27, 2007
In addition to the usual five star facilities, rooms will offer flat screen LCD TVs, Hi-Fi systems, DVD players, MP3 docking ports, 4-in-1 printers, espresso machines and have bathtubs that offer uninterrupted and dramatic views across JingAn Park and the skyline of Shanghai. Wow. (Suite101.com)
Festive season spend to hit $36bn Dec 16, 2007
It predicted electronic games and toys, GPS devices, digital TV set-top boxes and espresso machines would be popular Christmas purchases. IBISWorld general manager Jason Baker predicted a further 4per cent rise in retail sales during 2008, thanks in part to stimulation of the retail sector by the arrival of major US retail chain Costco. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Espresso George Clooney Drinks Only in Europe Puts Nestle at Risk in U.S. Nov 28, 2007
Nespresso machines only function with pods of coffee made and sold by Nestle ... Nespresso says it sells 23 percent of the world's espresso machines ... Starbucks on Nov. 15 also said it would sell espresso machines for the holidays this year. (Bloomberg)
A shot of frustration Nov 26, 2007
I am aware that the espresso capsule doesn't score highly in the ever-lengthening list of contemporary evils, but those tiny pods with all of their packaging, and the neurotically over-styled espresso machines that make coffee from them, sum up so much of what can go wrong in design today, when opportunism is dressed up as "innovation." ... But you can only improve the design of something if it needs to change; and not everything does, including lovely old espresso machines ... There was a time,... (International Herald Tribune)
Kitchen inspiration Oct 24, 2007
Built-in espresso machines. High-end appliances such as commercial ranges. (AZCentral -- Home)
Underwater hotels make a splash Oct 6, 2007
There are 43 bungalows and the room design is sleek and pared down, but guest rooms have all the latest gadgets (like Bose sound systems, iPod docking stations and in-room espresso machines). Sea lovers should book one of the over-water bungalows, but if you want to be totally enveloped by the ocean, Huvafen Fushi's Lime Spa has two underwater treatment rooms which were unveiled in 2004. (CNN -- Money)
Competition perks up as coffee fuels Sydney Sep 13, 2007
But the coffee traditions of both cities are founded on the Italian and Greek immigrants who brought the first espresso machines to Australia in the 1950s. It was from that point that coffee gradually began to usurp tea, brought to the country by British colonists in the late 18th and 19th centuries, as the nation's favourite hot drink. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Brew ha ha in city that falls short on espresso Sep 12, 2007
There happens to be a less ominous cliche that derives from the espresso machines Italian expatriates have introduced around the world - that they are unparalleled makers and consumers of coffee. That delivers one of the mysteries of the Western world. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Grinding own coffee has perks Sep 12, 2007
com had nearly 31,000 posts to its online forum about home roasting, the second-most-popular discussion next to talk of espresso machines and grinders, which boasted 92,000 posts. There is a distinguishable flavor difference between just-roasted beans and the store-bought grind, according to Judge, a self-taught roaster who said he harnessed his coffee prowess through Web sites about java. (AZCentral -- Home)
WinInfo Short Takes: Week of September 10 Sep 9, 2007
Compared to market leader Apple, whose iPod line is ubiquitous they work in everything from automobiles to espresso machines, the Zune is an also-ran of the almost epic proportions. And when you factor in this week's Apple announcements--there are now five iPod models if you count the iPhone--you have to wonder why Microsoft is bothering with its one model, now almost a year old. (Windows IT Pro)
STARBUCKS OPENS FIRST STORE IN GALESBURG Aug 10, 2007
In addition to beverages, the store will carry specialty coffee beans, pastries and merchandise, including coffee and espresso machines. In the coming months, the store will also offer wireless internet access. (Galesburg The Paper, IL)
Josefina Yanguas, 90; her Cambridge caf served as a gathering place for intellectuals Aug 5, 2007
Nearly half a century ago, before espresso machines and coffee shops were commonplace, Ms. Yanguas opened a caf on a narrow side street in Cambridge, a few strides from Harvard Square. Named for the city of her birth, Caf Pamplona unfurled from the basement of a tiny red house, an outpost of old Europe. (Boston Globe)
Luxe Beans, Local Flair Help Independent Cafes Grind On Against Starbucks Jul 25, 2007
Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz sent an internal memo in February to senior executives, which was later leaked to the media, lamenting some changes the company has made over the years, such as prepackaging beans instead of scooping them from bins at the store and switching to push-button espresso machines. Soul of the Past. (Bloomberg -- US)
Starbucks pulls back the cup, steaming over FDI rules fog Jul 21, 2007
It seems the government wasnt convinced about Starbucks plan to retail its world-famous merchandise (mineral water, Starbucks coffee mugs, home espresso machines, ready-to-drink beverages, confectionery, coffee accessories, Starbucks branded packaged coffee, etc) along with the beverage in its outlets here under the single-brand retail tag. Go to: 1. (Daily News & Analysis)
Carbon With That Latte? Jul 5, 2007
"We'll install individual meters on espresso machines, refrigerators, water filtration systems and other components," Hanna says. This doesn't necessarily mean you'll see a green espresso maker at a Starbucks near you anytime soon. (Forbes)
TECH CHRONICLES Jun 27, 2007
" -- Tom Abate Oregon company's super microscope It looks like a somewhat oversized coffeemaker. It produces some pretty hot stuff. And it's probably easier to operate than one of those steaming espresso machines. But instead of cranking out lattes, this machine is a microscope that produces pictures magnified up to 20,000 times. The microscope, made by Oregon company FEI, is called Phenom and is designed for industrial users and academics. There are microscopes that can magnify objects even... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
The next best thing in coffee? Brewing from beans roasted at home Jun 15, 2007
com had nearly 31,000 posts to its online forum about home roasting, the second most popular discussion next to talk of espresso machines and grinders, which boasted 92,000 posts. There is a distinguishable flavor difference between just-roasted beans and the store-bought grind, according to Judge, a self-taught roaster who said he harnessed his coffee prowess through Web sites about java. (AZCentral -- Home)
Cookware for a lifetime Jun 6, 2007
Retro bar blenders, copper saucepans, countertop espresso machines, Japanese knives, and all kinds of French, Italian, and Asian cookware aren't unusual gifts right now. Outfitting the kitchen, assembling a batterie de cuisine worthy of a four-star chef, may be reason enough to tie the knot. (Boston Globe)
Foreign language May 29, 2007
"Come-in-Cape-Canaveral" espresso machines. I could continue, but it's too depressing. (International Herald Tribune)
Big Mac, large fries, cappuccino? May 7, 2007
Dunkin' Donuts, the Northeast coffee staple, has added espresso machines and softened its decor to compete more effectively for the typical Starbucks customer as it expands into the South and the West Coast. McDonald's executives say they are responding to consumer desires. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
New drinks, more stores boost Starbucks May 4, 2007
Schultz told investors at an annual meeting in March that the 36-year-old company won't slow its expansion plans, damping speculation that the company may curb its growth in the wake of a leaked memo written by Schultz that criticized recent changes such as using automatic espresso machines instead of having baristas draw shots by hand. Separately today, Starbucks agreed to license Ethiopian coffee from the Harar, Sidamo and Yirgacheffe regions to resolve a dispute over the country's efforts to... (Chicago Tribune)
10 Money-Saving Tips You Don't Know! Apr 27, 2007
It has everything from memory cards to espresso machines, but, sadly, no books. Read the discussion thread. (Sky News)
Coffee Break Apr 13, 2007
He leaned against the wall with all the espresso machines. "The key in retail is absolute control over the employee," he went on. (Ocnus.net)
Why the overwhelming numbers of design flops? Apr 9, 2007
Cue the new breed of fiddly, fussy, over-styled espresso machines. 3. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Starbucks's Schultz Says Growth, Coffee House `Intimacy' Are Compatible Apr 6, 2007
In it, he urged executives to re-think decisions such as using automatic espresso machines instead of having baristas draw shots by hand. He said such moves could lead to a ``watering down'' and ``commoditization. (Bloomberg)
Dan Neil's 800 Words: Starbucks Nation Mar 31, 2007
Confronted with lines going out the doors, the chain had introduced automatic espresso machines to replace the La Marzocco machines (Schultz misspelled it "La Marzocca," which only seemed to underscore his point) ... The debate about the automatic espresso machines reminds me of something the literary critic Walter Benjamin once said: "That which withers in the age of mechanical reproduction is the aura of the work of art." Is machine-made espresso inferior to hand-pulled espresso, lacking the... (Los Angeles Times)
Saving Starbucks' Soul Mar 31, 2007
Automatic espresso machines speed the time it takes to serve up a shot. Coffee is vacuum-sealed, making it easier to ship over long distances. (BusinessWeek)
Starbucks Company (SBUX) The Memo Mar 26, 2007
replacing old-style espresso machines with automatic ones. changing over to bagged coffee in flavour-locked packaging instead of in-store bins of coffee ground in front of the customer. (Suite101.com)
Will Diners Still Swallow This? Mar 25, 2007
The costs of renting the space, paying the baristas and buying the espresso machines and stirrers are significant ; but the same regardless of size of the drinks. And it does not take much more coffee to brew a 16-ounce ;grande; than it does to make a 12-ounce ;tall. (Shoals TimesDaily)
Village that's saving the world Mar 25, 2007
While politicians dither over low-energy light bulbs, car emission standards and planning permission for renewable energy, grassroots movements are installing solar and wind power, sharing cars, turning off radiators and espresso machines and even organising their own carbon trading. Everybody's talking; for God's sake, we have to do something about it,' said Garry Charnock, the founder and driving force behind Ashton Hayes's efforts. (Guardian Unlimited -- UK)
The big breakfast Mar 24, 2007
His persona is that of a weekend columnist, one of those quizzical, inept, secretly self-congratulatory dads who write about naughty children, the crisis of masculinity and the foibles of their espresso machines. The action takes place in 2003, when Ezra is 39 and living in Oxford. (Guardian Unlimited -- Books)
Starbucks seeks OK for shop in Derby Mar 23, 2007
Starbucks would renovate the interior to include 20 seats, espresso machines, coffee grinders, blenders and a food display case, plans on file at City Hall show. Six people would work per shift. (New Haven Register, CT)
Latte Questions for Starbucks' Execs Mar 22, 2007
In the memo, titled "The Commoditization of the Starbucks Experience," Schultz expressed concern that moves to increase same-store sales with automatic espresso machines and flavor-locked coffee packages were removing the "theater and romance" of the original Starbucks stores. "In 25 years I have written hundreds of memos, and if I look at the theme and the thread of those memos through the years, there is a common thread," said Schultz at the meeting. (BusinessWeek)
Public safety log Mar 22, 2007
Items stolen include espresso machines, tools, Coleman folding camping chairs, a bookshelf, a wooden table and extension cords. Head-on crash Two vehicles crashed head on at about 9:45 p.m. Monday on the railroad tracks at Queen Avenue and Washington Street S.E.. (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Future is now at Starbucks meeting Mar 22, 2007
Writing to top executives, Schultz openly fretted about whether Starbucks brand is being watered down by steps the company took during its explosive growth, such as adding automated espresso machines and using pre-ground, pre-packaged coffee in stores ... And really, would bringing back more manual espresso machines which is unrealistic at this point anyway really make customers happier. (MSNBC -- Business)
Van Houtte buyer likely foreign Mar 22, 2007
They include French food services firm Sodexho Alliance, Vermont-based Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc., India's Tata and Italy's Segafredo Zanetti, which makes espresso machines. Several of the major food conglomerates Sara Lee Corp. and Kraft Foods Inc. have also looked at Van Houtte. (Globe and Mail)
Starbucks reaffirms rapid growth strategy Mar 22, 2007
Schultz warned in the Feb. 14 memorandum of a "watering down" of the Starbucks brand because of past decisions to design stores more uniformly, and to use automatic espresso machines instead of having espresso shots extracted on more time-consuming equipment. The memorandum, sent to Donald and other senior executives, became public when it was leaked to the Starbucks Gossip Web site. (International Herald Tribune -- Money Report)
