By Rachel Williams
Copyright dailyrecord
Starbucks has announced it could be closing stores across Britain. The news follows the firm’s recent review of its global coffee branches this week. The multinational coffee chain is said to have confirmed on Thursday (September 25) that it has launched a consultation over the proposed closure of “some” of its UK-owned stores, which puts thousands of jobs at risk. As one of the most recognizable coffeehouses, Starbucks is said to employ over 5,600 people across its UK portfolio that is said to boast around 520 company-owned and franchised stores. As of writing, the stores and their locations that could be affected by closures have not yet been confirmed by the coffee chain. The news comes after Starbucks also plans to reduce its North American portfolio by one percent this year, leading to a loss of around 900 head office jobs, reports the Independent . The coffee chain is said to have confirmed in a statement that it had identified sites where “it has not been possible to create the physical environment customers and partners [employees] want, and where there isn’t a path to financial performance.” A similar review conducted of its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) portfolio will see it meet its commitment to open a total of 150 new stores, with 80 said to be based in the UK. However, as a result, certain Starbucks sites in UK, Switzerland and Austria are said to be closing as a result of the review. In a statement, Starbucks said: “As outlined in a letter shared by Brian Niccol [chair and chief executive officer], we have conducted a review of our coffeehouse portfolio in North America and certain stores have been identified for closure where it has not been possible to create the physical environment customers and partners [employees] want, and where there isn’t a path to financial performance. “In Europe Middle East & Africa (EMEA), we have conducted a similar review of our company-operated store portfolio with the goal of ensuring that our stores are correctly located, generating appropriate levels of foot traffic and operating in the right formats. “While the EMEA business is on track to meet its commitment to open 80 new stores in the UK and 150 across EMEA this financial year, some stores in the UK, Switzerland and Austria will close as a result of this portfolio review.” News of Starbucks’ potential UK closures comes after the coffeehouse opened its first ever Ayrshire standalone store at Ayr Central Shopping Centre earlier this year, with it previously only being available in the Sainsbury’s located at Prestwick. Starbucks isn’t the only retailer to announce closures across the UK high street this year, with Primark just recently announcing it would be closing down its Orchard Shopping Centre branch in Dartford next year – marking the first closure for the company in over a decade. Poundland has also been closing down stores up and down the country, with the discounter’s Livingston Shopping Centre location set to be on Sunday, October 12. JD Sports has also closed 13 stores across the UK following its annual results on September 24, with the sportswear firm confirming earlier this year that it planned to shutter a total of 50 worldwide . The Daily Record has approached Starbucks for a comment.
