Starbucks cracks down on freeloaders to reverse sales decline

Source: Financial Times [UK]

“A man in a winter coat enters a crowded Starbucks cafe and lounges on a caramel-coloured seat. Then he gets up, goes to the bathroom and exits into a frigid downtown Manhattan. One thing he does not do is buy a drink. Effective Monday, Starbucks plans to change that. The world’s largest coffee shop chain is introducing new policies for the roughly 11,000 stores it operates across North America. Free cups of water are out. Free coffee refills, in ceramic mugs or glasses, will be in. Customers will now be defined as people who make purchases. People who do not may be asked to leave. Starbucks is acting with urgency. Its North American locations rang up 5 per cent fewer transactions in 2024, the first annual decline since the pandemic year 2020.” (01/27/25)

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