Comments on DONDEQUIERA: Starbucks Coffee losing steam in Puerto Rico

Man Gabriel, that's an excellent point. Good one. ...

2008-07-02T05:18:00.000-04:30

Man Gabriel, that's an excellent point. Good one. I wonder what other implications that observation has? That is, besides contributing to the high percentage of obesity on the island, I mean I know it's hot and everything but what's the huge aversion to walking?

I've gotten to the point now that I pretty much take the first parking spot I see, saves gas, saves time, keeps me healthier. Ironically enough those same fat bastards that didn't want to walk when they are young end up having to walk when their heart starts giving them problems. Go figure...

Yeah, like the way Walgreens sees a store that mak...

2008-07-02T03:58:00.000-04:30

Yeah, like the way Walgreens sees a store that makes, say 10 million and they decide to open another nearby so they have two 6 million stores. One or two in Mayaguez and Ponce may thrive near colleges.
The trick with placing the stores here is the poorly designed urban landscapes we have. Nobody walks to or from work or to stores. People drive everywhere so instead of an impulse drink, its a destination. And if its a destination it means they will go for a meeting or the wifi and buy something just as a tax to sit down. Probably why they took off most electrical plugs, to get people moving.

I think they might be able to if they expand throu...

2008-07-01T20:40:00.000-04:30

I think they might be able to if they expand throughout the island, but maybe that might increase their expenses in keeping the stores stocked. There's a certain efficiency to having a thousand stores within a mile of each other. However, that efficiency comes at the expense of profitability, which explains the closings.

They are probably devastated. I saw a plan that sa...

2008-07-01T15:58:00.000-04:30

They are probably devastated. I saw a plan that said they could support more than 28 stores in the island. Maybe they could go to the small kiosk like they have every 50 meters (it seems) in DC.