Starbucks has announced the closure of seven of its stores in San Francisco. Although the regional vice president of Northern California, Jessica Borton, pointed out that it is a decision based on economic studies and business criteria to optimize the benefits of the entity, she recognizes in a letter the importance of working in "a welcoming environment," in the face of the wave of crime that the city is experiencing.
Borton insisted that decisions about openings and closings of establishments in localities are made after a detailed study of data to guarantee "a portfolio of healthy stores." On this occasion, six of the affected stores are located in the city center.
There are several factors Starbucks considers when tasked with the tough decision of closing a store, but it is all part of ensuring a healthy store portfolio. We will continue to listen to the needs of our partners to ensure they can focus on crafting beverages and creating connections in a welcoming environment.
The board indicated that the company will offer workers affected by the closures the possibility of relocating to other establishments that will continue to be open.
Crime and insecurity
On this occasion, the company did not want to explicitly link its departure with crime. In 2022, the company's CEO, Howard Schultz, indicated that it was forced to close up to 17 establishments in towns governed by Democratic politicians and soft anti-crime policies because of insecurity. Schultz, a blue party donor, lamented this fact as a consequence of leaders who "have abandoned their responsibility to fight crime."
The departure of Starbucks from the city center is not the first, nor the only one among businesses, large or small , that have left the place in recent times. The pandemic, but especially the wave of crime and robberies that the area is suffering, has led many businessmen to make this decision given the unsustainable situation. The mayor herself, London Breed, has had to rectify its policy of defunding the police and explicitly supporting officers in their fight against crime.
