“With its affluent customer base and uncanny knack for drawing crowds, Starbucks has long seemed immune to the slowdowns that plague most retailers when the economy falters.

But the king of the $4 coffee is feeling the pinch now. Dairy prices have skyrocketed, fast-food chains have made it easier to find a good cup of joe, and traffic in U.S. stores has flattened amid high fuel prices and turmoil in the housing and credit markets.

Add it all up, and it’s dragged the company’s stock down nearly 40% since it hit an all-time high one year ago……….”

Story continues….