Smoothie Sailing

It will be interesting to see how the latest round of drink menu augmentation goes for Starbucks and their competitors.

The coffee purveyor and “third place” proprietor is serving up a new batch of “healthy-sounding” smoothies, designed to compete with similar offerings from Dunkin’ Donuts and others.

Now, the Spoon loves a Venti Caramel Macchiato as much as the next guy, but we’re not sure this move by Starbucks satisfies at least one of Ries’ and Trout’s 22 Laws, which is that it’s better to be first than better.

In other words, they’re not exactly creating a new category here. ‘Cause even if these smoothies are better, there doesn’t seem to be anything radically different about them.

The new VivannoTM from Starbucks.

Then again, people are always looking for convenient meal ideas, especially in tight financial times.

See for yourself. What do you think?