Starbucks to close 36 Southern California stores as part of 250-store reduction
Starbucks announced it will shut 250 North American locations, including 36 in Southern California, citing underperformance and a strategic effort to improve the customer experience.
Starbucks said it will close 250 stores in North America, representing about 1% of its more than 18,000 outlets, as it seeks to streamline operations amid heightened competition. The closures include 36 sites in Southern California, identified by a fan-compiled list that matches data from the company’s app and Google listings.
Chief Operating Officer Mike Grams explained in a letter posted on the chain’s website that the stores slated for shutdown lack a viable path to meet the company’s standards for customer experience and long-term financial performance. The company, which has already closed over 600 stores in North America and Europe and reduced non-retail staff, said it will offer affected employees transfer options and severance for those who cannot be relocated.
Starbucks has not publicly confirmed the specific Southern California locations, but the list compiled by an online enthusiast shows each store marked as “permanently closed” in the app or unresponsive to phone inquiries. The chain declined to comment on the list when contacted.
The company reported a 7.9% rise in global comparable-store sales for the fiscal third quarter, with North American sales up 8.1%, indicating overall growth despite the store closures.