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This is the epitome of the Starbucks experience: enter, order a hot cup of coffee and sit down with a newspaper.
Or at least, that's what used to happen. Now, starting in September, you will not be able to buy newspapers in the coffee giant's stores anymore.
The company announced this week that it will stop publishing print editions of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today and local newspapers in its 8,600 branches across the country.
Starbucks did not explain the change, but added that it would also remove shelves that display coffee beans and take-out snacks.
"We are constantly looking for what we offer our customers in our stores and to adjust our portfolio according to the changing behavior of our customers," said Sanja Gould, spokesperson for the group, in a statement on Friday.
Starbucks expects the changes to be completed by the end of September.
Jordan Cohen, Times spokesperson, said in a statement: "While disappointed with this decision, we are confident that, given our extensive distribution network, readers will have no trouble finding the New York Times for sale nearby electrical outlets. " The newspaper had a exclusive arrangement with Starbucks for many years, but the chain began selling other papers in 2010.
The Wall Street Journal discussed other ways in which Starbucks customers could access this publication, said Colleen Schwartz, a spokeswoman for Dow Jones, a sister company of The Journal.
It was unclear whether the sales were related to the Starbucks decision. According to data published in July by the Pew Research Center, the number of printed copies has decreased across the country. The organization estimated that in 2018, the total circulation of the daily press in the United States, which includes digital and print platforms, amounted to $ 28.6 million for the days of week and 30.8 million people for Sunday. These figures were down 8% and 9% from the previous year.
Coffee and macchiato drinkers at Starbucks stores in Manhattan have had mixed reactions to this news.
"I think it's still going to be available," Dustin Fitzharris said Friday, while he was sitting at 15th Street and 7th Avenue. "If there is a loss prevention problem, it should be available behind the counter for people who still want to buy. It's a coffee shop. People are still reading.
He suggested that some Starbucks customers want their news to be out of date.
"Not everyone is on their computers," said Mr. Fitzharris. "Especially for a certain demographic age. An older population may not come in with their iPad or computer. They will come with a book or will want to read the newspaper.
At the same place, David Perozzi said that Starbucks had made a good decision.
"I think that makes a lot of sense; it's not a surprise, "he said. "It took me a minute to remember seeing a newspaper in Starbucks because it's a digital age."
"I do not think there are any benefits to keeping the newspaper," he added. "If you look in this Starbucks, there is nobody who buys a newspaper. It's just another victim of change. Another victim of the internet. "
Joanne McLeod, from Milwaukee visiting New York and sitting in the Starbucks on 16th Street and Eighth Avenue, said the company's decision was not a good idea.
"People are too much on the phone," she said. "What happens to newspapers is that people read them and leave them to others."
At least two customers said they have never seen newspapers at Starbucks.
"I'm at Starbucks every day in New Jersey and New York City and I do not feel like I see a lot of newspapers on display," said Lisa Kelly, who was waiting for someone to 8th Avenue and 39th Street.
She said that she usually visits Starbucks once a day, sometimes twice, and that she would be inclined to read a newspaper if there was one.
"I've never seen them sell them," Jeff Grubb said in the same place. "Honestly, never. I've visited many Starbucks in my life. I think they should sell them. The Washington Post, the New York Times, they should be here.
"I think it would be smart for Starbucks to offer things to read," said Grubb. Starbucks, in his opinion, must improve his "game", otherwise it will be "off soon".
"It's like McDonald's now, it's a bit of a thing of the past," he said.
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