Starbucks to Lay Off 1,100 Corporate Workers Amid Structural Changes

Seattle: Starbucks announced on Monday that the company is laying off 1,100 corporate employees by Tuesday morning and will eliminate hundreds of open roles. Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol explained in a letter to employees that the company is simplifying its structure by shedding redundant roles and "creating smaller, more nimble teams." According to Lao News Agency, Niccol stated, "We believe it's a necessary change to position Starbucks for future success." The intent of the layoffs is "to operate more efficiently, increase accountability, reduce complexity and drive better integration," as highlighted in Niccol's letter. The focus is on being more concentrated and able to drive greater impact on the company's priorities. Niccol had first announced in January that the company was planning layoffs as part of his efforts to turn around the business after taking office in September 2024. The Seattle-based coffee giant had experienced a challenging year, with sales at its cafes slipping by 4 percent compared to the previous year, as per the company's 2024 fourth-quarter financial report. Additionally, profit-per-share dropped 23 percent in the quarter. Partially due to the CEO transition at the end of Starbucks' fiscal year, the company suspended its financial forecast for 2025.