Starbucks expects sales in existing cafes to drop in 2009

Starbucks expects same-store sales to continue falling in fiscal 2009, given that "a several global recession of uncertain length now appears likely," the Seattle coffee chain said in a securities filing today.

Analysts and investors use same-store sales as a gauge of whether growing companies are doing well at existing stores.

Starbucks saw an annual drop in same-store sales in fiscal 2008. The 3 percent decline contributed to a 53 percent profit drop for the year to $315.5 million.

The company said on Nov. 10 that it can sustain another 7 percent drop in same-store sales without profits dropping, which some analysts took as evidence that Starbucks has done sufficient cost-cutting.

Executives have not said how much further they expect same-store sales to drop.

In Monday's filing, Starbucks said, "As a retailer that is dependent upon consumer discretionary spending, the company expects to face an extremely challenging fiscal 2009 because of these economic conditions."

Melissa Allison: 206-464-3312 or mallison@seattletimes.com