Starbuck, airports, and banned liquids

Posted Aug 14th 2006 5:42PM by Michael Canfield
Filed under: International Markets, Industry, Consumer Experience, Starbucks (SBUX)

waiting for flight, starbucks in hand True the line for the average airport gourmet coffee kiosk isn't quite as long on the one for security, but how will Starbucks (SBUX) and other airport retailers cope with the in-flight liquids ban? Starbucks partner HMS Host Corp, which places the kiosks in some 150 airports insists it is unconcerned. Duty-free shops also find themselves in the predicament.

It's much too soon to assess whether the ban will have any impact on at-airport revenue. Longer waits and recommendations that passengers arrive earlier and earlier for for flights might result in even more beverage demand at airports. As travelers become more and more used to terror alerts, as well as accepting of whatever carry-on restrictions are imposed, these changes will have less of an effect on the economy.

Michael Canfield is a private investor, a business and media writer, living in Seattle. He doesn't own stock in Starbucks.