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Starbucks in Korea asks customers to stop bringing in printers/desktop computers

fortune.com

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Re: Starbucks in Korea asks customers to stop bringing in printers/desktop computers

#141

Post by bluedino »

MetaWhirledPeas wrote: post #95
eqvinox wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They'd have to charge people for using those, which people won't be eager to. The point of coffee shops in this regard is that the use as free coworking space is "parasitic" on the space being financed by the café business.

I wonder how often they try large floor plans. Most Starbucks I see try to keep things small. What happens if you make it a bit larger, like a small library? I wonder if the increase in foot traffic and sales would offset the cost of extra real estate. They could keep it free, but also somewhat cross over into coworking.

That's a Barnes and Noble

proudly serving Starbucks coffee

Re: Starbucks in Korea asks customers to stop bringing in printers/desktop computers

#143

Post by gambiting »

PaulRobinson wrote: post #31
cm2187 wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is that a business they even want, someone occupying a seat for 8 hours only to consume two coffees?

They'd rather that than an empty seat, especially if that person is turning up 5-6 days/week. Most coffee shops where I live (London, UK, specifically out in West London) are at best 20% full through most of the day, that's a lot of dead real estate not paying for itself. When I tried working out of coffee shops a bit some years ago the "etiquette" seemed to be ~1 drink/hour to pay for your seat. I don't like coffee…

>> but the rule is not widely followed or enforced and where it is the pubs are empty far more than the ones that welcome customers.

I mean, I went to one in SOHO and it was packed and indeed, no one was on their phone and people were being actively told off if they used a phone. That was nice. The fact that I paid £9 for a pint was much less nice though.

Re: Starbucks in Korea asks customers to stop bringing in printers/desktop computers

#144

Post by willsmith72 »

eqvinox wrote: post #76
xg15 wrote: post #72

At this point I wonder why Starbucks hasn't diversified and started building actual coworking spaces in addition to coffee shops. They look like they should be in an ideal position for that.

They'd have to charge people for using those, which people won't be eager to. The point of coffee shops in this regard is that the use as free coworking space is "parasitic" on the space being financed by the café business.

(as long as the campers are considerate) it's also low cost. even prime location starbucks have large lull periods through the day, prime for campers, even though only spending $5-10.

when people feel entitled to take up 2 spaces for hours while families roam for seats is when it's too far

Re: Starbucks in Korea asks customers to stop bringing in printers/desktop computers

#145

Post by pstuart »

SparkyMcUnicorn wrote: post #6
pstuart wrote: post #2

Seems like an opportunity for a coworking-lite space -- rent a seat/desk spot for 1 hour blocks.

I somehow doubt that people are lugging a desktop and printer around the city, only to set it up and work for 1 hour in Starbucks.

By the hour, implying multiple are possible.

Re: Starbucks in Korea asks customers to stop bringing in printers/desktop computers

#146

Post by HSO »

eqvinox wrote: post #76
xg15 wrote: post #72

At this point I wonder why Starbucks hasn't diversified and started building actual coworking spaces in addition to coffee shops. They look like they should be in an ideal position for that.

They'd have to charge people for using those, which people won't be eager to. The point of coffee shops in this regard is that the use as free coworking space is "parasitic" on the space being financed by the café business.

they could integrate it with their loyalty points system, whatever it was called, starbucks card or sth

either pay with points, or get a cheaper rate for points, or even get points if you pay normal for the cowirking space

the card could also double as a validator, either for the reserved space or as a key card to a closed one, saving on in-store admin work

if i were starbucks, i would 100% try this

clearly there is a demand for quick and informal working space, instead of a formal, multi month tenant agreement with one limited provider

just go to any store location, and in case of need, pay an hourly rate with your coffee to get a seat

Re: Starbucks in Korea asks customers to stop bringing in printers/desktop computers

#147

Post by reaperducer »

samschooler wrote: post #99

There is a photo in the Korea Herald article linked in op's article. https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10550038

Reminds me a bit of when TPUG in Toronto used to set up entire Commodore PET rigs in coffee shops.

For reference, a Commodore PET weighs about 25 pounds, and is the size of a toilet bowl.

Double all that if you want to use a floppy disk.

Re: Starbucks in Korea asks customers to stop bringing in printers/desktop computers

#148

Post by mrtksn »

onlyrealcuzzo wrote: post #126
mrtksn wrote: post #107

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or have actual public places? The Cafe's are there to serve coffee, it's just courtesy as business model to let you hang around in the premises and when the business model starts to fail in some way they adjust it. After university, the most I miss is the actual places that are mine to use and are made for hanging around or working and not necessarily consuming anything.

> After university, the most I miss is the actual places that are mine to use and are made for hanging around or working and not necessarily consuming anything. You just pre-paid for the consumption in your tuition fees.

Well, then it was a great deal. Significantly better than what I'm getting for renting a table with a coffee for hour or two for $5.

Re: Starbucks in Korea asks customers to stop bringing in printers/desktop computers

#149

Post by reaperducer »

eqvinox wrote: post #76
xg15 wrote: post #72

At this point I wonder why Starbucks hasn't diversified and started building actual coworking spaces in addition to coffee shops. They look like they should be in an ideal position for that.

They'd have to charge people for using those, which people won't be eager to. The point of coffee shops in this regard is that the use as free coworking space is "parasitic" on the space being financed by the café business.

The point of coffee shops in this regard is that the use as free coworking space

Incidentally, back when I was doing startups, there were free coworking spaces in the under-utilized portions of the Seattle convention center. Big, squishy chairs, fast wifi, and power ports galore.

It was like a self-service micro tech incubator, and helped me bootstrap a company that lasted over a decade. The State of Washington more than got its money back in taxes.

Re: Starbucks in Korea asks customers to stop bringing in printers/desktop computers

#150

Post by aianus »

cm2187 wrote: post #23
jiehong wrote: post #15

Or maybe Starbucks should install a common printer with a fee? The large items policy still makes sense, though

Is that a business they even want, someone occupying a seat for 8 hours only to consume two coffees?

When I worked out of free co-working spaces in Asia I would buy lunch and breakfast from them too, both to socialize with other patrons and to not lose my seat.
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