Starbucks Is Closing Stores and Cutting Jobs. Will It Save the Stock?

Core Insights - Brian Niccol's tenure as CEO of Starbucks has not met investor expectations despite initial optimism following his appointment [1][2] - The company is implementing a turnaround strategy called "Back to Starbucks," which focuses on enhancing customer service and store environments [4][8] Company Actions - Starbucks plans to close approximately 200 stores this year, resulting in a total of around 18,300 locations in North America by the end of the fiscal year [7] - The company will refurbish over 1,000 locations to improve their design and atmosphere [8] - Starbucks is eliminating 900 non-retail jobs and closing many open positions as part of its restructuring efforts [8] Historical Context - The current store-closing strategy is reminiscent of Howard Schultz's actions in 2008, where he closed 600 stores to refocus the brand [9][10] - Schultz's previous strategy successfully reset the brand and improved customer experience, but it remains uncertain if Niccol's approach will yield similar results given the company's larger scale and increased competition [10] Market Challenges - Same-store sales are still declining, and the company faces challenges from weak discretionary spending and a slowing job market in the U.S. [11] - Investors may need to exercise patience as the turnaround strategy unfolds, especially with the stock's high price-to-earnings ratio exceeding 30 [12][13]