Falling Starbucks?

By Alyce Lomax

Will Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX) addicts balk at shelling out a few extra cents for their fixes? That question may be on some people's minds today as The Wall Street Journal reported that a jolt in the price of java is on the menu at Starbucks. Will this put a damper on the coffeehouses' sales?

The WSJ article said that the price hike is expected to be in the 4% to 5% range, adding about a dime per cup to the bill. The article surmised that the higher price "could push Starbucks' luck" and cited market research from Mintel International Group, indicating that about two-thirds of "regular coffeehouse customers" say gourmet takeout coffee is too pricey.

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