Starbucks said Tuesday that its global sales tumbled in the first three months of the year as coronavirus-related shutdowns gripped its operations.
The Seattle-based coffee giant said conditions will likely worsen in the current quarter before moderating later this summer, and its recovery will extend into 2021. But executives also said they are seeing encouraging signs.
"I think we emerge from this strengthening the brand and strengthening the connection we have with customers," President and CEO Kevin Johnson said in a conference call with investors.
Starbucks said its same-store sales -- or sales at stores open at least a year -- fell 10 per cent globally in the January-March period. More than 75 per cent of its stores in Japan, the United Kingdom and Canada are closed.
Starbucks said 98 per cent of its stores in China have reopened, but many are operating with reduced hours and seating. In April, same-store sales were down 35 per cent in China. But that was a big improvement from the 90 per cent declines the company was seeing in February.
Johnson said Starbucks is predicting a "substantial recovery" in China by Sept. 30, when its fiscal year ends. China is Starbucks' second-largest market, with around 4,100 stores.
In the U.S., Starbucks has temporarily closed half its 8,000 company-owned stores. It's planning to reopen 90 per cent of those with modifications by early June. Some locations will offer drive-thru and delivery, while others will establish contact-less pickup options, Chief Operating Officer Roz Brewer said.
Thirty stores reopening next week will have their cafes open, but seating won't be provided, Brewer said. She said Starbucks will consider local government restrictions, infection curves and other measures as it reopens stores.
Starbucks has spent heavily to help employees navigate the crisis. The company has committed to paying all U.S. and Canadian employees through May 3 whether they're working or not, and those who do come to work are making a premium of US$3 per hour. Starbucks has also provided 1 million free coffees to frontline health and safety workers. The company said that spending will peak in the April-June period.
Starbucks' revenue fell 5 per cent to US$6 billion in its fiscal second quarter. That beat analysts' estimate of US$5.9 billion, according to FactSet.
The company earned US$328.4 million for the quarter, down 50.5 per cent from the prior year. Adjusted earnings of 32 cents per share were shy of analysts' estimate of 34 cents. Starbucks' same-store sales decline was also higher than analysts anticipated.
Starbucks shares were flat in after-hours trading.
