ABC News: Starbucks sees sales slump

In an earnings report, the coffee chain reported an approximately 2% decline in revenue over the first three months of the year. Many economic analysts view Starbucks as a bellwether for consumer spending, leading to questions about whether the reduced consumer spending is a problem specific to the company or to the economy as a whole.

Michael Jones, PhD, assistant professor of economics in the University of Cincinnati's Carl H. Lindner College of Business, told ABC News there should be concern if more companies start reporting similar declines to revenue.

“When you see it happening at companies outside of Starbucks, that’s when it becomes a broader worry that you’re concerned about,” Jones said.

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