Starbucks will close 400 stores across the U.S. and Canada, while expanding more drive-thru, pick up and fully mobile-order locations, according to a company statement Wednesday.
The coronavirus pandemic forced Starbucks to close its inside services, creating a shift in the retail environment. Within the next 18 months, the company plans to increase convenient-led formats throughout its locations.
“As we navigate through the COVID-19 crisis, we are accelerating our store transformation plans to address the realities of the current situation, while still providing a safe, familiar and convenient experience for our customers,” Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson said in a press release Wednesday.
Although Starbucks has not released a list of closing locations, some of its Montgomery County stores could face closures. Of the 257 Starbucks locations in Maryland, 67 are in Montgomery County.
Today, Starbucks announces a transformation of our stores. Building on the strength of digital customer relationships, we’ll expand convenience options due to COVID-19 and our evolving customer needs. https://t.co/WGvMTrZQp1
— Starbucks News (@StarbucksNews) June 10, 2020
