SEATTLE - Starbucks Corp. said Thursday that it has laid off about 220 support staff who worked at the coffee retailer's headquarters and in field operations, and will leave about 380 open jobs unfilled.
Starbucks pink-slips 220 support staff
February 22, 2008 at 2:27AM
Chairman and Chief Executive Howard Schultz announced the 600 job cuts in an e-mail to Starbucks' more than 170,000 employees, calling it a difficult decision aimed at sharpening the company's focus on customers.
The vast majority of laid-off employees worked in the United States -- about one-third at the company's Seattle headquarters and the rest in regional field offices. Support staff include people who work on marketing, finance, human resources, communications and supply chain management.
None of the cuts include baristas or store managers, and none of the jobs being left open include store employees or district managers who oversee store operations, the firm said.
Starbucks, which has been struggling amid a faltering economy, its own rapid growth and increased competition from cheaper rivals, also said it will replace its East and West divisions with four new ones.
The moves are the latest in a series of changes Starbucks has made since it fired previous CEO Jim Donald and gave the job back to Schultz last month.
Starbucks will open hundreds fewer U.S. stores this year than initially planned, will close about 100 poorly performing stores and is ramping up expansion overseas.
Starbucks shares slipped 43 cents Thursday, or 2.4 percent, to close at $17.83, then rose 7 cents in after-hours trading.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
about the writer
Minnetonka-based healthcare company confirmed the disclosure by New York police about suspect Luigi Mangione.
