SBUX seems to be going the way, or hasalready gone,of Whole foods
Markets; no longer cool.This is partiallyan effect of the consumers'
worries and also a result of over expansion.I donot lookfor any
appreciationin either stock.  DISCLOSURE...Long both!

Loyal diehard SBUX followers just won't acknowedge this weakness or
even worse how the company has become a joke punchline.  They opened
yet another SBUX near my home (must be 50 within a 10 mile radius) and
the store was nice enough to be a PR sponser for our towns 4th of July
celebration.  While in line, everyone cracked up when the SBUX guy
handed a "free" cup out to a guy and said "that'll be $4" and the
fellow shot back with "oh, half price today?".  It appears that SBUX
has become somewhat of a joke reflecting all the excesses we've
enjoyed over the past decade+.  Sorry but the $4+ cup of specialty
coffee is going to the same place as the 12 MPG Yukon XL.  Not saying
SBUX is going under but certainly their NA business isn't going to
improve (anytime soon).
The other morning when I had to run to the local mall.  Walked past
the SBUX (in the most prime center of mall location) at 10:30 a.m. and
there was not a single customer in the large store (not even
ordering).  And I'm low-ball guessing this is a $20K/month lease.  How
long can they financially weather this kind of downturn?
Not wishing for this company to fail but think (if you're an investor)
it's time to smell the bitter coffee.