Coffee Costs

Starting Tuesday, July 31, its going to cost more for a cup of coffee at Starbucks. For the second time in the past year, the company is raising prices. If youre planning a visit to Starbucks, youll have to shell out a few more cents for your favorite coffee, latte, or frappucino. The company is raising drink prices by nine cents starting Tuesday, which some customers say is too much. Its the second price hike in the past year. Last fall, Starbucks raised prices five cents. The company blames this latest increase on rising costs for things like dairy, transportation and beans. In fact, experts say the price of milk has gone up about 94% this year. Nine cents per drink may not seem like a lot. Over the course of a year, that amounts to about $33. So what you can get for $33? About 10 lattes! But most customers say the increase wont stop them from getting their daily dose of caffeine. The company hopes stronger profit margins will add some steam to their bottom line but ultimately, customers will decide if Starbucks prices are worth it, or just too much of a grind. The price increases only apply to coffee beverages and do not include food items. Starbucks operates nearly 12,000 retail stores worldwide.