(Newser)
–
Starbucks reacted to slow sales and new competition today by bringing back founder Howard Schultz as CEO, replacing folksy chief exec Jim Donald. "We must address the challenges we face and we know what has to be done," Schultz said. Schultz vows to reignite sales by trimming back US stores and management, and expanding abroad, the Wall Street Journal reports.
The coffee chain giant saw sales drop for the first time ever in its fourth quarter; execs blamed the economy, but analysts said the US market was over-saturated with more than 10,000 locations. The company also faces high-end coffee competition from McDonald's and Dunkin' Brands Inc. Schultz is returning as Starbucks CEO after being chief exec from 1987 to 2000; Donald is leaving the company, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports.
