Starbucks posted on its My Starbucks Idea website, that it is returning some of its bolder brews to its stores on an all day basis in response to customers' demands. This is only worth mentioning because there was such a huge marketing push behind the company's launch of its new, smoother Pike Place Roast brew back in April. The company premiered the roast with free sampling and by offering it in new (and somewhat controversial) cups.

Additionally, Pike Place was outlined as one of SBUX's turnaround initiatives to improve the customer's coffee experience. After launching Pike Place, SBUX had stopped brewing a second roast in the afternoon so the company will now resume brewing an additional bolder coffee along with it.

Although SBUX also stated that overall [Pike Place] has had impressive success, this customer demand for more of the familiar, bolder roasts might signal that Pike Place is not providing the sales lift management had hoped for. We will learn more about Pike Place's initial performance when the company reports it 3Q08 results as the brand was only launched at the beginning of the quarter. On a more positive note, it is impressive to see such a quick response on the part of management to meet its customers' requests, which is reflective of the company's renewed customer focus.