Starbucks and Uniqlo are set to open their first stores in Milan, replacing former spaces of Unicredit and Poste Italiane. The locations, at Cordusio Square, will mark the brands' entry into the Italian market, with openings planned for next year.

The article discusses Starbucks' challenges under CEO Brian Niccol, highlighting declining financial performance, including operating profit margin drops, US same-store sales declines, and earnings per share reductions. It examines the CEO's past experiences, current innovation efforts, and investor concerns about the company's turnaround progress, while noting the stock's recent price drop and analyst skepticism about its future performance.

Five major retailers, including JCPenney, Starbucks, Kroger, Rite Aid, and At Home, are closing hundreds of locations due to financial struggles from the pandemic, inflation, and market pressures. JCPenney has shuttered 200 stores and plans to close 119 more, while Starbucks is phasing out pickup-only stores. Kroger and Albertsons face store closures following a failed merger, and Rite Aid is closing 114 locations after a bankruptcy filing. At Home is closing 26 stores amid its Chapter 11 filing.

Starbucks has moved private equity firms to the second round of bidding for a strategic investment in its China operations, with KKR, Carlyle Group, and EQT as key contenders. The process focuses on enhancing operational capabilities in China through local expertise, not capital raising, as the company aims to expand its store footprint from 7,800 to over 20,000.

Starbucks aims to revive its U.S. business through operational improvements, new menu items like a cold foam protein drink, and store design changes. The company reported a 4% revenue increase in Q3 2025 but faced declining same-store sales. It is expanding in China and testing new services like Green Apron Service. Despite a 47% drop in profits, investor sentiment remained modestly positive.