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Yesterday’s announcement that international brand Starbucks will be launching in South Africa next year has been greeted with mixed reactions from South African coffee lovers.
Yaaaaaaas!!!! @Starbucks is coming to South Africa! Can I just say how absolutely ridiculously excited I am? #happy pic.twitter.com/DINbxzWCXj
— The•Official•Kabous (@insidekabous) July 14, 2015
There were many who were thrilled at the thought of getting their hands on a Frappuccino. “Can I buy shares,” quipped Cherie Johnson on Facebook. “Yes PLEASE we have been waiting for years and years for Starbucks to hit our shores….Bring it on Cape Town,” said Nicole Max.
Did Someone say #Starbucks in SA?? Yes please 😀
— add.someflavour (@Add_FlavourZA) July 14, 2015
Others were less enthusiastic about the announcement.
Eish, some South Africans are going to be embarrassing us again by queuing outside Starbucks as they did with Burger King. SMH! — Sentletse (@Sentletse) July 14, 2015
Others seemed more excited about other factors than the actual coffee.
Excellent news. I will gladly join the queue for a Starbucks Flat White, with free WiFi on the side. https://t.co/UYIpUUSGx5 — Gus Silber (@gussilber) July 14, 2015
Some feared that group’s coffee would be very expensive. It’s true that the group would not be able to be competitive if they simply translated international pricing into Rands (we’d be looking at around R46 for a tall flat white, based on US prices) – but that seems unlikely. PR representative for the group Joanne Botha says that they have yet to receive pricing details from the mother ship, so we’ll have to wait and see.
The largest reaction seems to be one of loyalty for local coffee brands. “Crap coffee,” said Craig Alsop on Facebook. “So many great local coffee shops in our country that I will keep supporting. Another giant corporation with average product.”
South Africa doesn’t need you, @Starbucks! You can keep your faux coffee flavoured drinks. We prefer our burgeoning artisanal coffee scene.
— ZA Coffee Army (@zacoffeearmy) July 14, 2015
Starbucks. Another US brand set to bravely plunge into our little doddering economy. Support local, peeps. — Biénne Huisman (@BienneHuisman) July 14, 2015
Others are already planning retaliation.
We need to start a strict policy of retaliation each time the US sends a new chain here. We get Starbucks? They get King Pie.
— Deep Fried Man (@DeepFriedMan) July 14, 2015
Shots fired.
All-in-all, it’s been quite a storm in a coffee cup.
i love how i’ve been so vocal about this starbucks thing but i don’t even drink coffee — foyin og (@foyinog) July 15, 2015
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Starbucks coffee is not nice at all. Cape Town especially had some of the best coffee shops in the world!!!
Some local CT coffee shops seriously have terrible coffee … this will possibly give them competition – which is good for us the consumer. If you have not tried Starbucks, don’t comment. Starbucks has a great following, food is healthy & fresh and the WIFI is a bonus.
I wouldn’t cross the road for a Starbucks coffee. It amazes me how people queue in the States for the most ordinary overpriced cup of coffee. Our local coffee is far superior!!!!
Doubt they will be able to offer competitive prices AND free WiFi with the cost of local internet service!
Another fast food brand, nothing special about their coffee, slightly better than Wimpy in my opinion. But then if you taste what the average American drink as coffee, Starbucks is a great improvement
Locally Woolworths and Seattle coffee is better if you want to buy from a chain.
For really good coffee, there are a number of speciality roasteries and coffee shops in CT, Durbs, Pretoria and Jozi.
Once you have converted, there is no comparison.
Have just returned from USA, was taken to Starbucks a few times…. Coffee is weak and revolting, served in paper cups (gross) no spoons, only wooden sticks ( how you supposed to finish the foam left ?) And way expensive for awful coffee!
Woolworths serves the best coffee in the world!
Lets support local!
Starbucks has personally never been about the coffee. I would queue for two hours for a Caramel Cream Frappuccino. That’s where the magic is.
And of course their Choc Chunk Cookie. Yummy.
I love my coffee, GOOD coffee, Beans about Coffee Stoneridge have the best coffee. Barista is great and consistent!
Coffee is a very personal thing. It really depends on your preference. I have had Starbucks almost everywhere and what they get right is the total package – particularly exceptional service. We have excellent coffee in SA – there is nothing to beat a Woolies fix. But the one thing we don’t get right is customer service – we simply can’t compete. An artisanal owner roastery probably can hire the right people – to their liking but mostly the coffee chains hire the wrong people.