Starbucks Plans to Introduce Instant-Coffee Product Next Week They continue to come out with bad products

Starbucks Corp., the world’s largest coffee chain, plans to introduce instant coffees in its shops next week.

Starbucks has spent 20 years developing an instant product that replicates the taste of its brewed coffee, Vivek Varma, senior vice president for public affairs, told employees in a memo today. Seattle-based Starbucks plans to unveil the drink at events in New York and other cities next week.

The instant-coffee packets, marketed under the name Via, will be available in stores for $2.95 for a pack of three or $9.95 for 12, the Wall Street Journal reported. The company aims to tap into the $17 billion instant-coffee market as sales of its premium espresso-based drinks fall.