Starbucks' North America CEO is retiring after only 8 months on the job — and he won't be replaced

Core Points - Michael Conway, CEO of Starbucks North America, is retiring in November after only eight months in the role, and the company will not appoint a replacement [1][2][4] - Sara Trilling, the current North American President, will take over the leadership of retail operations in the region [1][4] - Conway's retirement follows a recent leadership restructuring at Starbucks, which included the appointment of Brian Niccol as the new CEO [4][5] Leadership Changes - Conway previously held the position of group president of international and channel development and president of Starbucks Canada before becoming North America CEO [3] - Trilling has been with Starbucks for 22 years and previously oversaw 3,500 stores as senior vice president of the north division [4] - The decision to streamline leadership aims to enhance efficiency in decision-making processes within the company [4] Operational Challenges - Starbucks has faced operational issues in North America, including complex drink orders, rising prices, and fluctuating foot traffic, which have affected staff and profitability [5] - The company has also experienced public criticism and pressure from boycotts, particularly from former CEO Howard Schultz [5] - Niccol's plans for transformation focus on improving operations and enhancing customer experience [5]