Originally published Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Starbucks closing 73% of Australian stores
Starbucks will close 61 of its stores in Australia — 73 percent of the 84 stores there — as part of a turnaround strategy that...
Seattle Times staff writer
Starbucks will close 61 of its stores in Australia — 73 percent of the 84 stores there — as part of a turnaround strategy that includes closing 616 stores in the United States.
The company will have only 23 stores remaining in or near Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
Starbucks will lay off 685 workers in Australia because of the closings, including in-store employees and administrative staff. The underperforming stores will close by Aug. 3.
These are the first international store closings that Starbucks has announced. Most of its financial woes, including declining traffic, appear to be in the U.S., and the company is shifting its focus to grow more quickly overseas than in the U.S. The 616 U.S. stores being closed make up about 5 percent of Starbucks' U.S. footprint
"While this decision represents business challenges unique to the Australian market, it in no way reflects the strong state of Starbucks business in countries outside of the United States," Chief Executive Howard Schultz said in a news release. "There are no other international markets that need to be addressed in this manner."
A list of stores scheduled to close in Australia is at www.starbucks.com.auand www.starbucks.com.
Melissa Allison: 206-464-3312 and mallison@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Washington state wines make annual best-of list
Cool yule buzz on the latest in gift gear for your nerd
BofA moves to take control of Mastro building in Fremont
Nonprofits get creative using Twitter and Facebook to make donation easier
Busy week of IPOs sets stage for strong year ahead

LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Monfort fired after excellent worker turned unreliable
- Sentence request for US woman in Italy murder case
- 31 years for man who killed girlfriend, then lit cigarette and waited for police
- Boeing facility death was suicide
- Mariners Blog | A Mariners-Tigers swap makes a whole lot of sense for both teams
- Swedish threatens to end Regence BlueShield's contract
- Man falls 8 stories, suffers minor injuries
- Man shot in chest on E. Union Street in Capitol Hill
- Italian lead prosecutor argues Knox motive was hatred
- Mariners Blog | Dustin Ackley to move to second base; Mariners add six to 40-man roster
- First key vote today on Senate health bill
164 - Mariners add six to 40-man roster
105 - Boeing breaks ground for historic SC plant
97 - Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
81 - Senate vote clears hurdle
76 - Man shot in Capitol Hill
71 - Italian lead prosecutor argues Knox motive was hatred
67 - Bye week answers, volume four
46 - Saturday links
46 - Case of accused "Street Mobb" pimp goes to jury
45
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Swedish threatens to end Regence BlueShield's contract
- It's possible to recover a life lost to hoarding
- Recipes: Sesame Pork Roast, Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce and more
- Nonprofits get creative using Twitter and Facebook to make donation easier
- Restaurant review | Artisanal at The Bravern shows French flair in delicious style
- Seattle industrial artist Rusty Oliver is the man behind 'Smash Putt'
- Peruvian police: Gang killed people for their fat
- Great places to cross-country ski for free (or almost) in the Methow
- Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again





