December 6/Seattle/Entertainment Close-Up -- Building on its continued strength in attracting global consumers to its stores and growing its business in that critical channel, Starbucks said its senior leaders outlined plans to create a multi-faceted, global consumer brand and the significant potential to achieve a greater share of the nearly $145 billion world coffee market with a renewed focus on innovation and expansion.
Starbucks chairman, president and ceo Howard Schultz outlined plans to create long-term shareholder value. "We are building a solid and secure foundation for profitable growth in both new and existing businesses," Schultz said. "Our next phase of growth will come from extending the Starbucks Experience to our customers beyond the third place to every part of their day, through multiple brands and channels. Starbucks U.S. retail business and our connection with our customers form the foundation on which we build all of our lasting assets, and we will combine that with new capabilities in multiple channels to accelerate the model we've created that no other company can replicate."