ABC News: Starbucks sees sales slump
UC economist says it would be more concerning if other companies also reported revenue declines
Sales at Starbucks are slumping, ABC News reported, which has some people worried about broader consumer spending.
Michael Jones, PhD, assistant professor of economics
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.
Featured image at top: Starbucks logo and coffee beans. Photo/engin akyurt via Unsplash
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
5 Questions for Nabila Ahmad
October 19, 2026
After beginning her studies in architecture, Nabila Ahmad shifted to business, where an impactful co-op with IBM helped launch her career in technology sales leadership.
How can Cincinnati provide more affordable housing? This new lab aims to find out
October 16, 2026
The University of Cincinnati Real Estate Center helped launch a new regional research and development initiative designed to identify, test and scale solutions to the region’s housing challenges called the Housing Innovation Lab. The project is built around a simple idea: What if communities approached housing challenges the way leading companies approach innovation?
Cincinnati Spotlight features CCM's new Conservatory Series concerts
October 15, 2026
Cincinnati Public Radio features CCM's new Conservatory Series in its latest "Cincinnati Spotlight." The series launches on Wednesday, Oct. 21 with its inaugural "Grand Tradition" concert featuring a variety of CCM's distinguished faculty artists.