Employers Recruit Staff to Become TikTok Influencers
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 03 2025
0mins
Should l Buy SBUX?
Source: WSJ
Emerging Job Skill: Being a TikTok influencer is becoming a sought-after skill for employees in various companies.
Shift in Employer Attitudes: Companies like Starbucks and Delta Air Lines are now actively recruiting employees to serve as influencers, a shift from previous discouragement of social media posts about work.
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Analyst Views on SBUX
Wall Street analysts forecast SBUX stock price to rise
21 Analyst Rating
12 Buy
7 Hold
2 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 93.830
Low
59.00
Averages
96.12
High
115.00
Current: 93.830
Low
59.00
Averages
96.12
High
115.00
About SBUX
Starbucks Corporations is a roaster, marketer, and retailer of specialty coffee globally. Its North America segment includes the United States and Canada. Its International segment includes China, Japan, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Its North America and International segments include both Company-operated and licensed stores. The Channel Development segment includes roasted whole bean and ground coffees, Starbucks-branded single-serve products, a variety of ready-to-drink beverages, such as Frappuccino and Starbucks Doubleshot, foodservice products, and other branded products sold outside the Company-operated and licensed stores. A large portion of its Channel Development business operates under a licensed model of the Global Coffee Alliance with Nestle, while its global ready-to-drink businesses operate under collaborative relationships with PepsiCo, Inc., Tingyi-Ashi Beverages Holding Co., Ltd., Arla Foods amba, Nestle, and others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Strong Stock Performance: As of the afternoon of March 20, 2026, Starbucks (SBUX) stock has outperformed broad market indexes, indicating its robust competitiveness in the market, which may attract more investor attention.
- Market Trend Analysis: The upward trend in Starbucks' stock reflects ongoing consumer preference for its brand, especially in the context of economic recovery, potentially driving future sales growth for the company.
- Increased Investor Confidence: With the strong performance of Starbucks' stock, investor confidence in its future earnings has strengthened, likely leading to increased capital inflow and further boosting the stock price.
- Enhanced Industry Influence: Starbucks' successful performance not only elevates its leadership position in the coffee industry but may also influence the market strategies of other peers, prompting overall positive developments in the industry.
See More
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- Strong Market Performance: Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) stock is outperforming broad market indexes in 2026, demonstrating its resilience and appeal in a competitive retail environment, which may attract more investor interest.
- Investment Advisory Warning: Despite Starbucks' strong stock performance, the Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team has indicated that Starbucks is not among the current top 10 recommended stocks, which could influence investor purchasing decisions and suggests a need for cautious risk assessment.
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- Value of Investment Community: By joining the Motley Fool investment community, investors can access the latest stock recommendations and market analyses, leveraging collective wisdom to optimize investment decisions and potentially achieve higher returns in future markets.
See More
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- Apple CEO Remarks: At the China Development Forum, Apple CEO Tim Cook highlighted the 'extraordinary' pace of technological progress in China, stating that over 90% of Apple's production is powered by clean energy, demonstrating Apple's ongoing commitment and confidence in the Chinese market.
- Significant Sales Growth: Driven by the iPhone 17 launch, Apple's smartphone sales surged 23% year-on-year in the first nine weeks of 2023, contrasting with a 4% decline in China's overall market, indicating Apple's robust growth potential in a competitive landscape.
- Pharmaceutical Investment Plans: Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly announced plans to invest $3 billion in China over the next decade, despite only 3% of its revenue coming from the country last year; the CEO expressed optimism about the potential for its GLP-1 obesity drug in China, reflecting foreign confidence in the market.
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- Darden Restaurants Price Target Raised: Bank of America has increased its price target for Darden Restaurants from $262 to $272, reflecting strong market confidence in its brands like Olive Garden, which may attract more investor interest.
- Elliott Management Targets Synopsys: Activist investor Elliott holds a multibillion-dollar stake in Synopsys, aiming to enhance its financial performance, resulting in a more than 4% increase in share price, indicating market recognition of its potential value.
See More
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- Shift in Consumer Trends: Data shows that during the 2025 Chinese New Year, spending on traditional food gifts significantly declined, while expenditures on travel and cosmetics surged, reflecting a growing emphasis on emotional resonance among consumers and indicating a shift towards more personalized and experiential spending.
- Growth of Emotional Economy: According to projections from the iiMedia Research Center, China's emotional economy is expected to exceed 4.5 trillion yuan ($655 billion) by 2029, nearly doubling its value from 2024, highlighting an increasing consumer demand for emotional fulfillment and spiritual satisfaction that is driving market expansion.
- Changes Among Young Consumers: Research indicates that younger Chinese consumers, facing economic pressures, are increasingly inclined to pursue purchases that bring joy and identity rather than traditional material accumulation, a shift that not only affects spending habits but also prompts businesses to reassess their value propositions.
- Policy Attention on Emotional Economy: The Chongqing city government highlighted the importance of the emotional economy for the first time in its 2026 work report, indicating that policymakers are beginning to recognize this emerging consumer trend, while businesses are actively adjusting strategies to meet the demand for emotion-driven spending.
See More
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- Consumer Loyalty Surge: According to Brand Keys' Customer Loyalty Engagement Index, McDonald's was rated as the most loyal fast-food chain by American consumers in 2026, demonstrating its ability to stand out in a highly competitive market and further solidifying its market leadership.
- Tech-Driven Operational Efficiency: By introducing mobile and self-service kiosks to counter rising labor costs, McDonald's has not only reduced order errors but also enhanced customer satisfaction, thereby driving profit growth and showcasing its success in digital transformation.
- Core Product Strategy: Since launching the 'Commit to the Core' strategy in 2020, McDonald's has focused on its classic products like the Big Mac and Chicken McNuggets, optimizing operational efficiency to reduce wait times and ensuring it attracts and retains price-sensitive consumers in a high-inflation environment.
- Value Menu Innovation: McDonald's is set to launch new items on its McValue menu, including products priced at $3 or less and a $4 breakfast meal deal, aimed at meeting consumer demand for affordable dining options, thereby enhancing its competitive edge in the market.
See More
