Starbucks growth agenda 'firing on all cylinders' in US and China

Starbucks’ "global growth agenda is not only working but, through focus and discipline, is firing on all cylinders," the coffee chain president and CEO has stated.

Kevin Johnson revealed Starbucks delivered strong operating growth for Q3 with total revenues growing 11%, underpinned by a 7% global store expansion.

During an earnings call, he said both US and China "performed extremely well." US comp sales were up 7%. Johnson owed this success to three things: enhanced customer experiences; relevant new beverage expansion and; growth of digital customer relationships.

Johnson said delivery is an important long term growth opportunity for the brand. There is a rising interest in its delivery service, but this early success is yet to be reflected in revenues. However, it is hoped Starbucks can accelerate growth in this area with its partnership with Uber Eats which will expand nationwide in the US by 2020.

Starbucks remains bullish on the opportunity delivery offers in its China market.

A partnership with Alibaba has enabled the brand to expand delivery to 2,900 stores across 80 cities.

He said: "What we're seeing is that first and foremost the digitally connected consumer in China very much understands delivery and using it to address their need state of convenience. Delivery has driven a meaningful, incremental transaction lift."

Meanwhile, total store count in China grew by 15% versus last year to more than 3,900 stores. China, Asia Pacific continues to be Starbucks’ fastest growing market.

Johnson and his leadership team has just returned from a site visit to a new store concept built to better serve customers on the go. Starbucks Now is home only to mobile order for pick up or delivery. The initial response has been very encouraging and this is an area the brand is eyeing up for a large scale rollout.

Its Nitro Cold Brew product has proved to be a huge business driver. It will be rolled out to all US stores and supported by advertising by the end of its fiscal year.

Johnson said the company is encouraged by the fact that its customer connection scores reached all-time highs this quarter. The US houses around 17.2 million active digital Starbucks members. China now houses around 9.1 million active rewards members—an increase of 10% from last quarter and 36% from a year ago.

"Customers are digitally savvy, expect convenience and a more personalized digital experience," he told investors.

"Over the past five years we’ve invested in a powerful digital flywheel that today enables over one billion digital customer occasions a year."