Great presentation of some of the history of WA coffee culture by Olivia Colvin. I think the writer and Mr Lee haven’t quite hit the mark with why Starbucks failed in WA especially, but Australia in general.

It wasn’t boutique stores, or nan and pop stores, it was the plethora of chains we already have. Starbucks came in serving a relatively indistinguishable product from the rest.

The key to their spectacular failure in WA, i think, is Dome. They did what Starbucks was in WA first, and do it well enough, even with their branding to defend their home market.

Mr Lee is maybe right about nostalgia for some people, but it will be convenience of store locations and speed of delivery that will make the difference for a bland brand like Starbucks.

Loved the history presented in this article though!