The Botany store of the Starbucks coffee chain has closed.
The store shut its doors for the final time yesterday.
A sign in the window read: “All good things must come to an end…and so it is for our Botany Town Centre store.
“We would like to thank all of our customers for their loyalty and for being part of the journey with us. We hope you will enjoy the Starbucks Experience in our other Auckland stores, the closest located at Sylvia Park.”
The owners Restaurant Brands New Zealand (RBD) – a NZ stock exchange listed company – has not responded to requests for comment.
RBD specialises in managing multi-site branded food retail chains, the NZX says.
As at February 2011, NZX says, RBD has 208 stores: 89 KFC, 82 Pizza Hut and 37 Starbucks stores.
The most recent financial results suggest the Starbucks figure is 23 which takes into account the closure of the Botany store.
RBD employs more than 4500 staff and every day serves more than 60,000 customers throughout New Zealand.
In the financial year to February 27, 2017 New Zealand operations delivered their “best ever” overall sales and profit performance, strong trading from the KFC Australian business under its new Restaurant Brands’ ownership and the successful completion of the acquisition of the Taco Bell and Pizza Hut franchise in Hawaii.
RBD’s net profit after tax for the year to February 27 was $26 million, up 7.8 per cent on last year’s profit of $24.1m.
RBD said of Starbucks’ results for the financial year: “As the company’s smallest brand, Starbucks Coffee has yet again made a reliable and sustainable contribution to the overall group result.
“Total sales at $26.7 million were marginally down on prior year, because of the end-of-lease closure of the Aotea Square store in Auckland. Same store sales however were up a healthy 4.5 per cent.”
With the Aotea Square closure store numbers are now 24, the results say.
“With the 20th anniversary of the first store opening in the country coming up next year the company is in discussions with the franchisor on potential franchise renewal options.”
Botany Town Centre told the Times it was limited with what it could share. “Twelve months or so ago we renewed some leases on shorter terms than usual anticipating possible development. Starbucks was one of these,” town centre management said.
“In line with (shopping centre owner) AMP’s long-term master plan for Botany Town Centre, we are committed to maintaining a high-quality trading environment for the benefit of both retailers and customers.
“As part of this programme, the centre is commencing civil works in the car park outside the Conservatory entrance.”
Management confirmed there are likely to be some relocations pending development.
The civil works start on July 18 and are expected to be completed mid-September.
“Starbucks has been a part of our community for a very long time, a loyal and popular retailer and we will miss their presence in the centre,” management said.
“There are a number of other coffee shops around the centre for our customers to enjoy.”
