Dunkin’ Donuts, the ubiquitous New England landmark, used a similar tactic to Starbucks’ store clustering technique. Starbucks cannibalizes their own locations for long term gains. They’ll cheerfully open up stores close to each other and actually experience an increase in sales over time from increased awareness. They are their own advertising, effectively creating demand just by being everywhere. The article does discuss the risks of the tactic of opening too many stores too quickly and ends with a bit on a guy who is trying to visit every Starbucks in the world. I fear it may take several lifetimes.