Starbucks is trying to reinvent itself and so Anand Narasimhan's appointment becomes crucial.
The transition comes as Starbucks navigates a burgeoning US unionization push following a difficult stretch for workers during Covid-19.
Here are 5 points on what it will mean for Starbucks:
- The five-decade-old popular coffee chain has 34,000 stores worldwide and is the premier roaster and retailer of speciality coffee.
- With the move, Starbucks has chosen an executive credited with revitalising the maker of Lysol disinfectants to undertake a "reinvention" of the world's biggest coffee chain, according to news agency Reuters.
- Starbucks faces a turbulent period. More than 200 of its stores in the United States have unionised in the past year, with workers pushing for better benefits and wages at a time of surging inflation.
- The company is also reworking its business model from a focus on cafes that encouraged long visits to mobile pickup and delivery, while facing higher costs for ingredients and labour.
- Mr Narasimhan will join Starbucks in October but will take the helm in April 2023, after spending a few months learning about the company and its "reinvention" plan.
