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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: jamesww on May 11, 2011, 06:41:19 PM

Title: Starbucks CEO Takes On Commodity Speculators
Post by: jamesww on May 11, 2011, 06:41:19 PM
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz Takes On Commodity Speculators

video here:

http://www.channel4.com/news/catch-up/display/playlistref/110511/clipid/110511_eco (http://www.channel4.com/news/catch-up/display/playlistref/110511/clipid/110511_eco)

Associated news item:
http://www.channel4.com/news/starbucks-boss-schultz-attacks-high-coffee-prices (http://www.channel4.com/news/starbucks-boss-schultz-attacks-high-coffee-prices)

Quote
The current high price of coffee on commodity markets is down to "financial institutions orchestrating an unnatural acute rise" Starbucks Chief Executive Howard Schultz complains to Channel 4 News.


For many commentators Starbucks Chief Executive Howard Schulz is something of a poster-boy for global capitalism. As the boss of a chain of coffee shops that spans the world, the fact that coffee is currently at a 34-year high on world commodity markets is naturally of concern. But Mr Schulz maintains that the fact that not just coffee, but most agricultural food commodities are all at a record high is not down to issues of supply and demand:

"We are seeing a seismic change in the cost of commodities and ultimately the cost of food in grocery stores at a time when we have high unemployment. I just think it's inapproriate that there are a group of financial institutions who are somehow orchestrating an unnatural acute rise in commodity prices that ultimately will create a windfall profit for a select few and a significant problem for a whole host of people,"
........

read the rest of the article on the above link.


Title: Re: Starbucks CEO Takes On Commodity Speculators
Post by: Neil on May 11, 2011, 06:53:09 PM
This is what I like to call 'marketing your brand'.
Title: Re: Starbucks CEO Takes On Commodity Speculators
Post by: HVC on May 11, 2011, 08:06:25 PM
Inflated prices? Starbucks should be the last to bitch about that lol
Title: Re: Starbucks CEO Takes On Commodity Speculators
Post by: citizen k on May 11, 2011, 08:14:51 PM
So, increasing demand isn't an issue?

Title: Re: Starbucks CEO Takes On Commodity Speculators
Post by: Monoriu on May 11, 2011, 08:15:51 PM
Any evidence to back up his claims? 
Title: Re: Starbucks CEO Takes On Commodity Speculators
Post by: citizen k on May 11, 2011, 08:26:29 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on May 11, 2011, 08:15:51 PM
Any evidence to back up his claims?

I think it's similar to the "gas price gouging" meme that politicians like to trot out when the price for gas spikes.



Title: Re: Starbucks CEO Takes On Commodity Speculators
Post by: grumbler on May 11, 2011, 08:32:32 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on May 11, 2011, 08:15:51 PM
Any evidence to back up his claims?
Evidence to support the claim that "there are a group of financial institutions who are somehow orchestrating an unnatural acute rise in commodity prices?"  Protocols of the Elders of Zion, I should think.
Title: Re: Starbucks CEO Takes On Commodity Speculators
Post by: Ed Anger on May 12, 2011, 05:54:59 AM
Quote from: HVC on May 11, 2011, 08:06:25 PM
Inflated prices? Starbucks should be the last to bitch about that lol

lolz