BURST
Starbucks is closing approximately 250 underperforming stores across North America, but B.C. customers don’t yet know whether their local coffee shop is among those on the chopping block.
The company said the closure represents about one per cent of Starbucks’s 18,000 North American coffee houses, and is part of continuing efforts to improve financial returns.
“We have carefully reviewed our North America coffee house portfolio and identified locations where we do not believe we can consistently deliver the experience we want for customers and partners or where we don’t see a path to acceptable financial performance,” said Starbucks COO Mike Grams in a letter to employees.
Closing a coffee house is a “difficult decision,” he said, adding the company has posted strong growth overall and is on pace to complete renovations at 1,500 locations by the end of its fiscal year. But some stores, Grams said, continue to underperform despite employees’ efforts.
The closures are the second major round of store closures since CEO Brian Niccol took over the company in 2024, as Starbucks continue its turnaround efforts.
This round also comes a year after Starbucks shuttered more than 600 stores in North America and Europe, including its iconic Seattle Roastery, and laid off 900 workers.
Postmedia asked Starbucks how many of the stores slated for closure are in B.C. and which locations are affected.
The company did not provide a list of affected stores, but said they will have signage posted this weekend to notify customers. Customers can also check Starbucks.ca or the Starbucks app for updated store information.
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Do you know of a Starbucks in B.C. that is closing? Email us at vantips@postmedia.com and tell us the location and include a photo of any closure notice posted at the store.