Core Points - The Starbucks union has expanded its strike to over 30 locations across the U.S., with participation from at least 1,000 workers [1][6][8] - The strike coincided with Starbucks' "Red Cup Day," a significant promotional event for the company [6][14] - Union members are demanding better pay, improved working hours, and resolution of legal issues related to contract negotiations [8][9] Expansion of Strike - The strike has spread to stores in approximately 25 cities, including Cleveland, Memphis, and Springfield, Missouri [6][8] - The New Scotland Avenue location in Albany, NY, is the first in the Upstate Capitol region to join the strike [5] Union's Position - The union has accused Starbucks management of slow-walking contract negotiations and has called for new proposals to address their demands [8][9] - Starbucks claims that the strike has caused minimal disruption to its operations and expresses readiness to negotiate when the union is prepared [9][11] Background on Unionization - Starbucks Workers United was founded in August 2021 and has grown to represent over 14,000 workers across more than 640 locations in 45 states [10] - Currently, about 5% of Starbucks' approximately 10,000 company-owned stores in the U.S. are unionized [11]

Group 1: Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) - Alphabet Inc. has seen its shares soar to new all-time highs, with a remarkable gain of 54% year-to-date in 2025 [1] - The company's co-founders are now among the wealthiest individuals globally due to the significant increase in share value [1] - On Thursday, Alphabet shares fell by 1.2% to close at $289.45 [5] Group 2: Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) - Starbucks has entered into a joint venture agreement with Boyu Capital to operate its retail locations in China, with Boyu acquiring up to a 60% stake based on an enterprise value of approximately $4 billion [2] - During the trading session, Starbucks shares declined by 1.3% to close at $82.62 [5] Group 3: Welltower Inc. (WELL) - Welltower Inc., a healthcare REIT, was named as a final trade by a senior managing director, with Morgan Stanley maintaining an Overweight rating and raising the price target from $170 to $200 [3] - Welltower shares rose by 0.4% to settle at $197.58 on Thursday [5]

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer put under the spotlight. Cramer mentioned the company during the episode, as he stated: “These days, you can use a sale like the one we are experiencing, and I don’t think it’s necessarily over, we’re not that oversold, to pick up stocks of high-quality companies that are outside the blast zone of the data center… As long as you don’t do it all at once and as long as you buy small… Pixabay/Public Domain Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:S ...

Core Viewpoint - Starbucks is facing backlash for allegedly misusing user location data for aggressive marketing, raising concerns about privacy and transparency in its data collection practices [2][10][12]. Privacy Policy and User Data Collection - A recent incident involved a user receiving two promotional messages from Starbucks within three minutes, prompting criticism regarding the app's use of precise location data for marketing purposes [3][4]. - The privacy policy of Starbucks only mentions three scenarios for using precise location data: finding nearby stores, ordering, and participating in specific activities, without explicitly stating that location data could be used for promotional pushes [4][9]. - Legal experts have pointed out that Starbucks' privacy policy lacks clarity and accessibility, potentially violating personal information laws [9]. User Reactions and Concerns - Many users expressed discomfort with Starbucks' marketing tactics, fearing misuse of their personal information and emphasizing the need for respect for privacy [10][12]. - The phrase "打工人要的是咖啡自由，不是推送自由" reflects a sentiment that intrusive marketing detracts from the enjoyment of the product [12]. Regulatory Scrutiny and Past Incidents - Starbucks has faced multiple regulatory inquiries regarding its data collection practices, including being summoned by authorities in June 2023 for issues related to user data collection and marketing tactics [12][13]. - Despite these challenges, Starbucks has not yet achieved satisfactory improvements in user privacy protection [13]. Business Expansion Plans - Starbucks plans to expand its stores in China from 8,011 to 20,000, but faces significant challenges due to increasing competition from lower-priced coffee brands [15]. - The company may need to consider launching a new lower-end brand to compete in the mid to low-end market, which raises questions about brand differentiation and maintaining quality [15].

Core Insights - Starbucks maintains control over its coffee bean roasting factory in Kunshan, Jiangsu, despite relinquishing 60% of its stake in the Chinese market to Boyu Capital, emphasizing the importance of bean quality and sourcing [1] - China's coffee production is increasing, with projections indicating it will rank 13th globally by 2025, although it currently meets only 20% of domestic demand, necessitating significant imports [1][3] - The domestic coffee market is experiencing rapid growth, with total sales expected to rise from 3 million bags in 2018/19 to over 5.65 million bags by 2024/25, while over 80% of coffee consumption is still reliant on imports [3] Coffee Production and Quality - Arabica beans are favored for their flavor and aroma, becoming the choice for premium coffee brands, while cross-industry brands opt for blended beans to balance quality and cost [5] - The cost of coffee beans is a critical factor in pricing strategies, with a significant difference between high-end and low-cost options [5][7] - Consumer preferences prioritize taste, with 43% ranking flavor experience as the top factor in brand selection, while 30% cite inconsistent quality as a pain point [7] Yunnan Coffee Development - Yunnan coffee has evolved from a low-value industry to a recognized player in the market, with significant improvements in cultivation and processing techniques over the past century [8][10] - The introduction of disease-resistant coffee varieties and technical support from international companies like Nestlé has led to increased production and quality [10][12] - The percentage of high-quality coffee beans from Yunnan has risen from 8% in 2021 to 31.6% [12] Brand and Market Expansion - Yunnan coffee brands, such as Aini, are transitioning from raw material suppliers to market players with their own brands, enhancing their market presence and international reach [14][15] - The number of coffee-related enterprises in Yunnan has grown to over 420, with several achieving significant sales milestones, indicating a robust competitive landscape [17] - Yunnan coffee exports are projected to reach 32,500 tons in 2024, marking a 358% increase, driven by a focus on branding and storytelling [17][18] Challenges and Future Outlook - Despite advancements, Yunnan coffee still faces challenges, including reliance on a limited variety of beans and the need for improved management practices [21] - Many brands focus on raw material quality rather than building a resonant brand identity, which affects consumer loyalty [21] - The overall brand image of Yunnan coffee remains weak, necessitating enhanced media presence and cultural storytelling to match its growing industry strength [21][22]

Core Points - The Starbucks Workers Union announced an expansion of strike actions to over 20 additional cities and multiple stores, bringing the total to 95 stores across 65 cities, with approximately 2,000 baristas participating [1] - Due to staff shortages, most stores involved in the strike were forced to close on the first day, and in the following days, around 50 additional stores were also affected by staffing issues [1] - Starbucks stated that the impacted stores are typically able to resume operations quickly, with less than 1% of stores being affected by the strike [1]

President Donald Trump eliminated tariffs on certain Brazilian exports in a move aimed at tackling soaring grocery prices, amid progress on trade negotiations with the South American nation.Negotiations Are ‘Ongoing’In a new executive order issued on Thursday, Trump modified the sweeping 40% tariffs imposed on Brazil earlier this year under Executive Order 14323.Trump pointed to his call with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva last month, and “initial progress in negotiations with the Government ...

The union is now one week into its open-ended strike, adding more than two dozen new cities to reach 65 in total and increasing its store count to 95 as the company's holiday sales season gets into full swing. Baristas and Allies also held a rally outside of the company's distribution center in York, Pennsylvania yesterday. Starbucks said there were not disruptions to its operations there.Workers United, which represents 11,000 workers at 550 stores, has threatened to make this the largest and longest strik ...

ToplineOne week into the Starbucks Workers United strike over unfair labor practices, union protests have expanded to 30 stores in 25 new cities, including disruptions at the company’s largest East Coast distribution facility in York, PA, bringing the total to 95 stores across 65 cities participating in the open-ended ULP strike. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 13: Starbucks workers walk a picket line as they go on strike outside a Starbucks store on November 13, 2025 in the Clinton Hill neighborhood of the B ...

Starbucks ‘Red Cup Rebellion’ Strike Spreads To More Stores, Cities And Key East Coast Hubhttps://t.co/VmeY94C7fi https://t.co/0cqL0xDCJD ...