Starbucks Lifts Full-Year Outlook After Strong Sales Growth and Higher Store Traffic

Mintesinot Niggusie

Starbucks has raised its full-year financial guidance after reporting stronger-than-expected quarterly sales and profit, supported by higher customer traffic and service improvements under its ongoing turnaround programme.

The company now expects adjusted earnings per share for fiscal 2026 of 2.25 to 2.45 US dollars, up from a previous forecast of 2.15 to 2.40 US dollars. It also raised its outlook for global same-store sales growth to about 5 percent or more.

The upgraded guidance follows a second-quarter performance in which global same-store sales rose 6.2 percent, exceeding analyst expectations of 3.7 percent. Adjusted earnings per share came in at 50 cents, above forecasts of 43 cents.

Chief Executive Brian Niccol said the results reflect early progress in the company’s turnaround strategy, known as “Back to Starbucks”, which prioritises faster service, improved customer experience and increased staffing levels across stores.

Customer traffic strengthened during the quarter, with data showing a 5.9 percent increase in average visits per store. The company said gains were recorded across all income groups, with demand supported by its positioning of Starbucks visits as an occasional “small luxury”.

Operational changes have also focused on service speed. About 80 percent of stores are now meeting internal targets of four minutes for in-store orders and under 12 minutes for mobile pickups, according to the company.

The company said consumer demand has remained stable despite wider economic uncertainty, with positive sales trends extending into April.