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Starbucks Posts First Quarterly Loss in 15 Years

Starbucks just posted a 3Q loss — its first quarterly net loss in more than 15 years.

What’s to blame? Several things:

  • The company is in the middle of closing about 600 under-performing stores.
  • The company has also announced plans to cut about 1,000 office jobs (7% of the entire workforce).
  • U.S. consumers have stopped spending a much on gourmet coffees.
  • Similarly, UK spending has decreased, and growth in Canada has slowed.
  • Competition from chains like Dunkin’ Donuts and McDonald’s, which have introduced their own gourmet coffee lines.
  • Dairy prices have risen.

It’s all (likely) temporary, though.

In the meanwhile, they’re looking to the future: Sorbettos, Vivannos, a new line of of healthy foods (featuring whole grains and lean protein), and a new emphasis on the (recently re-launched) “Starbucks Card.”

Sources: BBC News, CNN Money

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