Starbucks Faces Increased Competition as Coffee Market Evolves
Starbucks, the dominant force in American coffee culture, is facing unprecedented competition as consumer preferences evolve, according to Fortune. Despite holding the largest market share with nearly 17,000 U.S. stores and plans for further expansion, Starbucks' share of spending at U.S. coffee shops fell from 52% in 2023 to 48% in 2024 and 2025, according to Technomic, a food industry consulting firm.
The company is battling what Fortune described as the "polyamorous" era of coffee, as customers explore other options. Dunkin', a long-time rival, gained market share after opening its 10,000th U.S. store. Fast-growing drive-thru chains like 7 Brew, Scooter's Coffee, and Dutch Bros are also presenting challenges.
Meanwhile, Gen Z's fascination with the 2010s continues to grow, as reported by Vox. Spotify saw a 790% increase in 2016-themed playlists in January 2026 alone, with people declaring that the 2026 vibe would match the "feel good vibes" of 2016. Daysia Tolentino, journalist behind the newsletter "Yap Year," has been chronicling online affinity for the 2010s for almost a year.
In other news, protests against the Trump Administration's immigration policies took place across the U.S. on Friday, according to Time. Demonstrations followed the killings of two people by federal agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during Operation Metro Surge. Organizers called for a national shutdown day of "no school, work, or shopping," with tens of thousands expected to participate from Los Angeles to New York.
Furthermore, America’s culture wars are having global implications, as reported by Vox. Sara Herschander, a fellow for Future Perfect, wrote about how pro-life foreign aid hurts women and children the most. Vice President JD Vance addressed the annual March for Life in Washington, stating, "The mark of barbarism is that we treat babies like inconveniences to be discarded."
In the tech world, multiple sources reported on new developments, including an upgraded Apple gadget, new Sonos gear, and the increasing use of Elon Musk's Grokipedia by AI chatbots like ChatGPT. The World Economic Forum in Davos highlighted AI's prominence, emphasizing the significant energy investments and partnerships needed to support its growth.
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