announced its 7-step, 5-year growth strategy in unusual detail at its 2014 Biennial Investor Day in Seattle on December 4. The website contains both the presentations (videos) and the slides used (PDF). The fulsome material provides a thorough picture of the company’s position, the 5-year strategy’s multiple components (with rationale) and management’s significant goals and expectations.
Disclosure: Author holds Starbucks
Through this wealth of information, investors gain the knowledge needed to decide whether Starbucks is a worthy long-term growth holding. Importantly, management is open in addressing and countering commonly held negative perceptions about “bricks and mortar” retail and about Starbucks having reached a saturation point.
Why investors should be impressed
When I first viewed the presentations and materials, I was extremely impressed – so much so, that I felt the need to let my excitement cool off. Since then, I keep coming back to what Howard Schultz and his executives did at their Investors Day. They provided a depth of insights and explanation rarely shared with stockholders. The materials and commentary (albeit trimmed of important competitive information) are closer to board presentations than to the shallower information we are accustomed to receiving.
Starbucks’ many strengths give it an especially good foundation for future growth: broad, high quality brand recognition; widespread, desirable locations; premium, high quality products; and a loyal customer base willing to pay premium prices. Rather than tack on new avenues of growth, management’s 7-step strategic plan is integrated with Starbucks’ current positioning and strengths, and it is based on experience, not simply grand designs.
Matthew Ryan, Global Chief Strategy Officer, presented the rationale and details of new strategic plan. (Ryan, 1-1/2 years with Starbucks, was formerly at Walt Disney as SVP of global brand, franchise and customer relationship management.)
The stock picture looks good
Over the past 13+ months, SBUX built a foundation, similar to the one preceding its last run-up. Now, following the release of the 5-year strategic plan, the stock looks to be breaking into new, all-time high territory. With the New Year arriving and the holiday results to be reported on January 22, this looks to be a good time to take a position.