Outlines Initiatives to Achieve More Than $400 Million in Cost Reductions in Fiscal 2009

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 2008--Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) hosted its biennial Analyst Conference here today, updating the financial community on the company's plan to build and improve its business and operations in the face of current conditions. The company's plan includes increased store and operating efficiencies, additional cost reductions and delivering long-term growth.

Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman, president and ceo, opened the conference by reaffirming the company's commitment to its core values and principles. He outlined an operating approach that includes maintaining the loyalty of core customers through continued innovation and rewards, raising the bar on operational excellence and taking an aggressive approach to cost savings.

"The entire retail sector is operating in a very tough economic environment. While Starbucks has not been immune to the decline in consumer confidence, we are fortunate to have a world-class brand and a loyal customer base," said Schultz. "In this environment it is critical to put our feet in the shoes of our customers."

Schultz commented further, "We generate strong cash flow, have solid liquidity and are executing rigorous cost-containment initiatives to improve our bottom line. Starbucks will continue to take actions to improve our U.S. business and take advantage of targeted growth opportunities in high potential markets. Integral to this are our efforts to elevate the Starbucks Experience and staying true to our core values. This focus will help us emerge stronger, more efficient and better able to deliver value to our shareholders over the long term."

Highlights of the other presentations included:

    --  CFO Troy Alstead shared further details about the role the economy is
        expected to play in fiscal year 2009 forecasts, including projected
        weakness during the holiday period, and the steps being taken to enhance
        profitability. Alstead outlined additional changes being made to the
        company's cost structure in order to position Starbucks to perform in
        the periods ahead; changes that are expected to result in an additional
        $200 million in savings for a total of more than $400 million in savings
        in fiscal 2009 alone.
    --  Michelle Gass, executive vice president, Marketing and Category, and
        Terry Davenport, chief marketing officer, outlined initiatives to
        enhance Starbucks brand relevance for all consumers. They also discussed
        the success of new value-based initiatives, including the Starbucks Gold
        Card, and the encouraging results of recent opportunistic marketing
        programs. They elaborated on customer feedback that has helped put
        value, health and wellness and social responsibility at the forefront of
        innovations, and on significant gains in brand perception measurements
        over the past six months.
    --  Cliff Burrows, president, Starbucks Coffee U.S., reviewed specific
        actions being taken to address performance-driving initiatives at the
        store level. During his presentation, he stated: "We are focused on
        making our existing stores perform better every day. With a rationalized
        store portfolio, we will improve profitability by implementing
        operational efficiencies at every step in the supply chain as well as
        within each store." He also discussed the company's diversified revenue
        mix, including its consumer packaged goods, food service and licensed
        stores businesses, as well as its Seattle's Best Coffee brand.
    --  Martin Coles, president, Starbucks Coffee International, addressed the
        effects the economic crisis is having on overseas markets, and the
        actions being taken to stabilize Starbucks performance in the U.K. and
        Canada, as well as ongoing expansion of the company's low investment
        licensed international store model.

The event concluded with remarks from Schultz, highlighting the true differentiator for Starbucks: the daily, human connection between customers and store partners. Sharing highlights from the recent North America Leadership Conference in New Orleans, Schultz spoke about the company's partners (employees) and their passion to serve customers and enhance their experiences with Starbucks, as well as their commitment to the company's long-term success.

About Starbucks

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, 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. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements relating to certain company initiatives and plans, as well as trends in or expectations regarding, the expected effects of its transformation strategy, restructuring and other initiatives, operating cash flow, revenue growth, store openings, as well as expense control and other anticipated cost savings. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information and are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties. Actual future results may differ materially depending on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, coffee, dairy and other raw material prices and availability, fluctuations in U.S. and international economies and currencies, successful execution of the company's transformation strategy, restructuring and other initiatives, store traffic trends, the impact of competition, the effect of legal proceedings, and other risks detailed in the company filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the "Risk Factors" section of Starbucks Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2008. The company assumes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.

CONTACT: Starbucks Coffee Company
Investor Relations:
JoAnn DeGrande, 206-318-7118
investorrelations@starbucks.com
or
Media:
Deb Trevino, 206-318-7100
press@starbucks.com

Source: Starbucks Coffee Company