Starbucks, the global coffee giant, announced last month that it would close all 379 of its stand-alone Teavana stores. Now it is closing down its online store as well.
The company's rationale for the move was covered in posts on Geekwire and on Business Insider. There was no public announcement from the Starbucks itself, other than a big "Sale" logo on the company website.
The company will focus on its mobile ordering platform instead.
What does that mean? After October 1st, you will no longer be able to order beans, pods, aprons or mugs online.
The Starbucks-branded products will still be available through a network of retail partners, including grocery stores and even Amazon.com. But it's clear, company officials said, that the retail environment is changing.
Amazon, for its part, is taking over more than 400 Whole Foods Markets next week and plans to merge its Prime membership with the Whole Foods customer loyalty program.
Amazon also intends to offer lower prices on best-selling Whole Foods staples, including organic avocados, brown eggs, salmon, baby kale, ground beef, salmon, peanut butter, rotisserie chicken, and apples.
Meanwhile, back at the Mermaid, spokesperson Maggie Jantzen said, "We're continuing to invest in amplifying Starbucks as a must-visit destination." That means integrating digital and mobile connections into the in-store experience. she said.
It's not entirely clear how this will be carried out, but the objective is to "doubling down on our digital relationships with our customers to further elevate our digital flywheel through our mobile app and our Starbucks Rewards loyalty program."
Can you understand what she's saying/? I sure can't. In the meantime, though, the popular Krups coffee grinder and Bodum Coffee Press are now $10 each.
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