Starbucks to Close 12 San Diego County Stores Amid Restructuring

Starbucks is set to close 12 stores in San Diego County this weekend as part of its "Back to Starbucks" initiative, which focuses on shutting down underperforming locations and enhancing the customer experience. CEO Brian Niccol stated that the plan involves closing stores that "don't have the physical environment customers and partners expect." The company aims to invest in remaining stores to recreate the original coffeehouse ambiance, incorporating soft seating and local artwork to encourage customers to linger. This restructuring follows years of declining sales and is expected to cost the company $1 billion. Additionally, Starbucks laid off 900 non-retail employees on Friday morning. The company is working to transfer affected employees to other locations or offer severance packages. Union status was not a factor in the store closure decisions. The specific San Diego County locations closing include:

• Genesee Plaza
• Convoy and Raytheon
• Bernardo Center Drive
• Carlsbad Boulevard and Grand Avenue
• Pomerado and Twin Peaks in Poway
• Aviary and Scripps Ranch
• Mira Mesa and Camino Santa Fe
• Main and Magnolia in El Cajon
• Santee Trolley Stop
• Bonita and I-805 in Chula Vista
• Garnet and Mission Bay Drive
• Laurel and Fifth

Economics Professor Alan Gin from the University of San Diego commented that the company hopes to invest in their stores again to recreate the original coffeehouse feel, attracting more customers and increasing revenue. The restructuring comes just before the new fiscal year begins next week.