Xin Hua She·2025-09-26 13:31Core Viewpoint - Starbucks announced the closure of hundreds of stores in the US, Canada, and Europe, along with the layoff of approximately 900 employees, as part of a business restructuring effort [2] Group 1: Store Closures and Layoffs - The closure plan will be initiated immediately, but Starbucks did not disclose the specific number of stores to be closed, stating that by the end of the fiscal year, the number of stores in North America will be 18,300, down from 18,734 as of June [2] - Some stores in the UK, Austria, and Switzerland will also be closed, although the exact number was not revealed [2] - This marks the second round of layoffs for Starbucks this year, following a previous announcement in February to cut 1,100 jobs globally [2] Group 2: Financial Implications - Starbucks plans to invest $1 billion in the restructuring, with $850 million allocated for store closures and lease terminations [2] - The CEO emphasized that the decision to close stores was based on evaluations indicating that some locations could not achieve financial stability or meet customer expectations [2] - The company typically opens or closes stores annually due to financial conditions and lease expirations, but this adjustment is described as having more profound implications [2]