Comments on: Reader response: Starbucks gear

By: andy

andy — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:21:38 +0000

there must surely be a ton of starbucks branded merchandise floating around?

By: denise r.

denise r. — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 20:45:36 +0000

It’s been yrs since baristas wore caps here in the Chicago area, but in the past was quite common. more usual than not. (as in the cap Melody has pictured) I thought they looked (generally) good. Same thing with the seasonal t-shirts, especially Christmas! now not the norm. and more the exception….. I do think any seasonal t-shirt I saw this yr was from another yr. ??? every yr was a new cool t-shirt, especially at Christmas.

By: LatteRose

LatteRose — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 19:13:30 +0000

I agree with CD – schwag can be a symbol of pride, (especially if it’s a Sumatran tiger on your shirt!). I’ve seen people wear some pretty interesting shirts from indie coffee shops, also found some cool indie mugs (yes, I collect them!). On occasion, I’ve sought out the shops with cool designs to pick up a mug, if available (and usually have a mocha to go with it). I don’t think Starbucks can go too wrong with the occasional t-shirt – unless they flood the market….

By: DG

DG — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:27:13 +0000

lol hahah I used to be a barista for a summer but mostly a customer now and a proud one at that!

By: CD

CD — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:39:54 +0000

I have always thought that cultivating the passion of employees was an important part of doing business and that “schwag” was an easy and meaningful way to achieve this goal.

Employees are often more likely to wear a brand as they are more readily engaged in the success of the brand.

I have seen some really interesting local shirts and aprons over the years at various Starbucks. It appears that these unique items (ex: “team of the year,” etc.) are real sources of pride, much like the pins that many baristas wear.

I think that Starbucks should fund more of these local schwag initiatives for their employees. They often are conversation starters between customers and baristas so they play a valuable role in the “connect, discover, respond” world of Starbucks.

By: Melody

Melody — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:29:06 +0000

Hi DG! Welcome to the site! Are you a barista or a customer? I live in a place where hats are not required on baristas. It was a long time before I realized that there are these Starbucks caps!

By: DG

DG — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:46:02 +0000

great hat! I don’t wear them but that’s outstanding

By: Kenneth

Kenneth — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:21:54 +0000

Nice idea, but I don’t wear cap anymore.

By: elly

elly — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:20:33 +0000

starbucks has offered some amazing (and very random) clothing items over the years. i wish i had kept the ones i got my hands on

By: Verl Todd

Verl Todd — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:17:06 +0000

Nice hat.