Starbucks’ new snack, named Pro.tein, consists of 125 grams of soft tofu, 50 grams of hardboiled egg, 18 grams of string cheese and 8 grams of soy sauce. The snack is priced at 4,900 won. (Image : Starbucks Korea)
SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – Starbucks is under criticism for releasing a healthy snack series of items that are two to 10 times more expensive than their commercial costs.
Starbucks has a history of creating controversy over coffee prices that were significantly more expensive than the price of the beans used to make them.
Starbucks’ new snack, named Pro.tein, consists of 125 grams of soft tofu, 50 grams of hardboiled egg, 18 grams of string cheese and 8 grams of soy sauce. The snack is priced at 4,900 won.
However, if one buys the same products at a supermarket or convenience store, 125 grams of soft tofu costs 750 won, 50 grams of hardboiled egg 800 won, and 18 grams of string cheese costs from 410 to 945 won. All together, the Pro.tein snack could be put together for less than 3,000 won.
As if Starbucks was also concerned about controversy created over the price, the company held a campaign that offered customers who bought the snacks a tall sized drip coffee worth 3,800 won.
Customers commented that they would not buy the snacks because of the expensive price if the campaign ends. But Starbucks is still sticking to their 4,900 won price.
Greek Yogurt from Starbucks. (Image : Starbucks Homepage)
Starbucks is also selling a 100-gram Greek yogurt for 3,700 won, which is two to eight times more compared to other distributors, and an 80-gram half-dried yam package priced at 3,800 won. The yams are six to 10 times higher in price compared to online and offline vendors.
Starbucks explained that prices are higher because the yams have to go through a half-drying process, and the costs of distribution are also added. In addition, labor costs must also be factored in for the soft tofu and hardboiled egg packet.
However, customers point out that even if they consider additional costs that occur, prices that are almost 10 times higher than commercial costs are simply an act to take excessive profits.
Starbucks officials say that the prices include not only the retail price, but also the costs of distribution, production, service and management. “Through Starbucks we are helping to promote consumption of domestic produce, and by enlarging the circulation network, we are playing a role in income creation for the farmers. To cooperate for coexistence, we are buying produce from the farmers at a higher price.”
By Francine Jung (francine.jung@kobizmedia.co.kr)
