Starbucks still struggling as coffee giant's same-store sales drop for 6th straight quarter

Core Insights - Starbucks reported a larger-than-expected decline in third-quarter global comparable sales, with same-store sales down 2%, marking the sixth consecutive quarterly contraction [1][4] - The decline was greater than analysts' average estimate of a 1.19% dip, indicating cautious consumer spending affecting demand [1] Sales Performance - Same-store sales in North America also fell by 2%, consistent with the previous year's decline [6] - Customer visits decreased by an average of 0.1% from April to June, an improvement compared to a 0.9% drop in the prior three months, suggesting early signs of recovery from the "Back to Starbucks" initiative [6] Strategic Initiatives - CEO Brian Niccol has implemented a simplified menu, introduced freshly baked food items, and emphasized quicker service as part of a brand reset since taking over in August [2] - The company plans to increase staffing investments in all 10,000-plus Starbucks-owned US stores by the end of summer [4][7] Financial Impact - CFO Cathy Smith noted that a significant non-recurring investment in the Leadership Experience 2025 and a discrete tax item negatively impacted Q3 EPS by 11 cents [5]