Starbucks Reports Q1 Fiscal Year 2025 Results, Global Store Sales Decline 4%
CoffeeNetwork (New York) - Starbucks Corporation (Nasdaq: SBUX) today reported financial results for its 13-week fiscal first quarter ended December 29, 2024.
Q1 Fiscal Year 2025 Highlights
- Global comparable store sales declined 4%, driven by a 6% decline in comparable transactions, partially offset by a 3% increase in average ticket
- North America and U.S. comparable store sales declined 4%, driven by an 8% decline in comparable transactions, partially offset by a 4% increase in average ticket
- International comparable store sales declined 4%, driven by a 2% decline in both average ticket and comparable transactions; China comparable store sales declined 6%, driven by a 4% decline in average ticket and a 2% decline in comparable transactions
- The company opened 377 net new stores in Q1, ending the period with 40,576 stores: 53% company-operated and 47% licensed
- At the end of Q1, stores in the U.S. and China comprised 61% of the company’s global portfolio, with 17,049 and 7,685 stores in the U.S. and China, respectively
- Consolidated net revenues of $9.4 billion were flat to prior year, including on a constant currency basis
- Operating margin contracted 390 basis points year-over-year to 11.9%, primarily driven by deleverage and investments in support of “Back to Starbucks,” including store partner wages, benefits and hours, and the removal of the extra charge for non-dairy milk customizations. The contraction was partially offset by the annualization of pricing and supply chain efficiencies. On a constant currency basis, operating margin contracted 380 basis points year-over-year.
- Earnings per share of $0.69 declined 23% over prior year, or declined 22% on a constant currency basis
- Starbucks Rewards loyalty program 90-day active members in the U.S. totaled 34.6 million, up 1% year-over-year and up 2% quarter-over-quarter
“While we’re only one quarter into our turnaround, we’re moving quickly to act on the 'Back to Starbucks' efforts and we’ve seen a positive response,” commented Brian Niccol, chairman and chief executive officer. “We believe this is the fundamental change in strategy needed to solve our underlying issues, restore confidence in our brand and return the business to sustainable, long-term growth,” Niccol added.
“We are encouraged by our Q1 results, which demonstrated the effectiveness of our 'Back to Starbucks' strategy, evidenced by our top-line trend,” commented Rachel Ruggeri, chief financial officer. “Although we are in the beginning chapter, and have much more work ahead of us, we will continue to prioritize shareholder value through dividends, providing a predictable return of capital while we turn around our business,” Ruggeri added.
Q1 North America Segment Results
Net revenues for the North America segment decreased 1% over Q1 FY24 to $7.1 billion in Q1 FY25, primarily due to a 4% decline in comparable store sales, driven by an 8% decline in comparable transactions, partially offset by a 4% increase in average ticket, as well as a decline in our licensed store business. These decreases were partially offset by net new company-operated store growth of 5% over the past 12 months.
Operating income decreased to $1.2 billion in Q1 FY25 compared to $1.5 billion in Q1 FY24. Operating margin of 16.7% contracted from 21.4% in the prior year, primarily driven by deleverage and investments in support of “Back to Starbucks,” including store partner wages, benefits and hours, and the removal of the extra charge for non-dairy milk customizations. This contraction was partially offset by the annualization of pricing.
Q1 International Segment Results
Net revenues for the International segment increased 1% over Q1 FY24 to $1.9 billion in Q1 FY25, primarily due to net new company-operated store growth of 9% over the past 12 months and incremental net revenue from the acquisition of a U.K. licensed business partner. This increase was partially offset by a 4% decline in comparable store sales, driven by a 2% decline in both average ticket and comparable transactions.
Operating income decreased to $237.1 million in Q1 FY25 compared to $241.5 million in Q1 FY24. Operating margin of 12.7% contracted from 13.1% in the prior year, primarily driven by increased promotional activity and investments in store partner wages and benefits. This contraction was partially offset by supply chain and in-store efficiencies.
Q1 Channel Development Segment Results
Net revenues for the Channel Development segment declined 3% over Q1 FY24 to $436.3 million in Q1 FY25, primarily due to a decline in revenue in the Global Coffee Alliance from SKU optimization and a decrease in global ready-to-drink revenue.
Operating income decreased to $208.0 million in Q1 FY25 compared to $209.7 million in Q1 FY24. Operating margin of 47.7% expanded from 46.8% in the prior year, primarily driven by mix shift and lower product costs related to the Global Coffee Alliance. This expansion was partially offset by higher costs in our North American Coffee Partnership joint venture income.
Company Update
In December, the Company announced that paid parental leave would more than double for U.S. retail store partners who work an average of 20 hours or more per week starting in March 2025. This enhanced benefit for retail partners aligns with a priority of being the best job in retail and is core to our “Back to Starbucks” plan as our success starts and ends with our green apron partners.
In December, the Company shared an update on contract negotiations with Workers United and remains committed to engaging constructively and in good faith to reach collective bargaining agreements for represented stores and partners.
In January, the Company shared the following as it refocuses on getting “Back to Starbucks”:
New Mission Statement: “To be the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world, inspiring and nurturing the human spirit — one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time” and its evolved customer promise;
Coffeehouse Code of Conduct: To make it easier for partners to prioritize their customers in our spaces; and
Transforming our support organization: To meaningfully change how our support teams are organized and how we work, making sure we have the capacity and capabilities to deliver on “Back to Starbucks,” and prioritizing the areas that have the biggest impact on the experience in our stores.
In January, Mellody Hobson announced her intention not to stand for re-election for the company's Board of Directors at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, stating, “With Brian Niccol firmly at the helm, I am confident Starbucks is in excellent hands... Together, I know Brian and the Starbucks board will remain laser-focused on driving long-term value for all stakeholders... Although the company has had a stunning 52-year run, I strongly believe its best days lie ahead.”
In January, Belinda Wong, chairwoman of Starbucks China, retired from the company after 25 years of dedicated service.
The Board declared a cash dividend of $0.61 per share, payable on February 28, 2025, to shareholders of record on February 14, 2025. The company had 59 consecutive quarters of dividend payouts with CAGR of nearly 20% over that time period, demonstrating the company's commitment to consistent value creation for shareholders.
Alexis Rubinstein
