Starbucks brings in new chief technology officer from Amazon Grocery

Core Insights - Starbucks has appointed Anand Varadarajan as its new Chief Technology Officer, effective January 19, 2024, following the departure of former CTO Deb Hall Lefevre [2] - Varadarajan brings nearly 19 years of experience from Amazon, where he led technology and supply chain for the grocery stores division [1][4] - Starbucks is undergoing a turnaround strategy under CEO Brian Niccol, who took over in September 2024, with recent quarterly same-store sales showing growth for the first time in nearly two years [6] Company Developments - Varadarajan's hiring is part of Starbucks' restructuring plan, which includes a $1 billion investment aimed at improving operations and technology [2] - The Green Apron Service, a $500 million investment in labor, is part of Starbucks' strategy to enhance service efficiency and is driven by the increase in digital orders, which now account for over 30% of sales [7] - The company is also facing challenges due to an ongoing strike of unionized baristas, although holiday sales have been strong [6] Technology and Innovation - At Amazon, Varadarajan was responsible for overseeing grocery technology innovations, including the integration of mini robotic warehouses in Whole Foods [5] - His expertise in creating reliable systems and driving operational excellence is expected to benefit Starbucks as it seeks to enhance its technology infrastructure [3]