Starbucks is facing significant challenges as recent price hikes and social controversies are driving away loyal customers and impacting sales. Long-time patrons like Andrew Buckley and David White have decided to abandon their Starbucks habits due to the increased costs and dissatisfaction with the company's stance on political issues, including its handling of unionization efforts and the Israel-Gaza conflict. This dissatisfaction is reflected in the company's financial performance, with a notable decline in sales and a rare drop in active rewards members. The company's CEO, Laxman Narasimhan, acknowledged the disappointing sales and attributed part of the decline to "recent misinformation" affecting markets, particularly in the Middle East. Efforts to revive the brand include introducing new menu items, improving service speed, and launching promotions. However, the challenges are expected to persist. Analysts are divided on whether Starbucks' struggles indicate broader economic issues or are specific to the company. The brand is also dealing with the fallout from global boycott calls linked to its perceived stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict, further complicating its recovery efforts.
Enjoying the read? Subscribe for free to one of the fastest-growing newsletters and get weekly coffee news (TL;DR updates) delivered right to your inbox.