Starbucks on Tuesday reported that its U.S. same-store gross sales fell 5% throughout its fiscal first quarter after a surge of latest Covid-19 cases.

CEO Kevin Johnson stated the corporate had a “very robust” vacation season. Starbucks reward card activations exceeded the corporate’s projections. He referred to as the Irish Cream Chilly Brew a “new vacation favorite.” The drink was unveiled in 2019 and follows the success of the Pumpkin Cream Chilly Brew, which overtook the Pumpkin Spice Latte because the bestselling drink on the autumn menu.

In China, Starbucks’ second-largest market, same-store gross sales turned optimistic for the primary time for the reason that well being disaster began. Its same-store gross sales rose 5%, though transactions nonetheless declined in contrast with the identical time a yr in the past.

Starbucks is forecasting U.S. same-store gross sales development of 5% to 10%. January same-store gross sales are anticipated to show optimistic after December’s downward slide, in accordance with executives. In China, same-store gross sales are anticipated to almost double. The corporate expects to earn 36 cents to 41 cents per share. It is projecting earnings per share of 45 cents to 50 cents on an adjusted foundation.

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) today reported financial results for its 13-week fiscal first quarter ended December 27, 2020. GAAP results in fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 include items that are excluded from non-GAAP results. Please refer to the reconciliation of GAAP measures to non-GAAP measures at the end of this release for more information.

“I am very pleased with our start to fiscal 2021, with meaningful, sequential improvements in quarterly financial results despite ongoing business disruption from the pandemic. Investments in our partners, beverage innovation and digital customer relationships continued to fuel our recovery and position Starbucks for long-term, sustainable growth,” said Kevin Johnson, president and ceo.

“Our results demonstrate the continued strength and relevance of our brand, the effectiveness of the actions we’ve taken to adapt to changes in consumer behavior and the steadfast commitment of our green apron partners to serve our customers and communities. We remain optimistic about our robust operating outlook for fiscal 2021 as well as our ability to unlock the full potential of Starbucks to create value for our stakeholders,” concluded Johnson.

Q1 Fiscal 2021 Highlights

• Global comparable store sales declined 5%, driven by a 19% decrease in comparable transactions, partially offset by a 17% increase in average ticket
  • Americas comparable store sales declined 6%, driven by a 21% decrease in comparable transactions, partially offset by a 20% increase in average ticket; U.S. comparable store sales declined 5%, driven by a 21% decrease in comparable transactions, partially offset by a 19% increase in average ticket
  • International comparable store sales were down 3%, driven by a 10% decline in comparable transactions, partially offset by an 8% increase in average ticket; China comparable store sales were up 5%, driven by a 9% increase in average ticket, partially offset by a 3% decline in transactions; International and China comparable store sales are inclusive of a benefit from value-added tax exemptions of approximately 3% and 5%, respectively
• The company opened 278 net new stores in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, yielding 4% year-over-year unit growth, ending the period with 32,938 stores globally, of which 51% and 49% were company-operated and licensed, respectively
  • Stores in the U.S. and China comprised 61% of the company’s global portfolio at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2021, with 15,340 and 4,863 stores, respectively
• Consolidated net revenues of $6.7 billion declined 5% from the prior year primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Impact included the effects of reduced customer traffic, modified operations, reduced store operating hours and temporary store closures
• GAAP operating margin of 13.5%, down from 17.2% in the prior year primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly sales deleverage, as well as growth in wages and benefits and Americas store portfolio optimization expenses, partially offset by labor efficiency and the impact of pricing in the Americas
  • Non-GAAP operating margin of 15.5%, down from 18.2% in the prior year
• GAAP earnings per share of $0.53, down from $0.74 in the prior year primarily due to unfavorable impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.61, down from $0.79 in the prior year
• Starbucks ® Rewards loyalty program 90-day active members in the U.S. increased to 21.8 million, up 15% year-over-year

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality  arabica  coffee. Today, with nearly 33,000 stores worldwide, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique  Starbucks Experience  to life for every customer through every cup.