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Starbucks Kicks Off 2025 With $9.4B In Revenue Amid Turnaround Efforts

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 29, 2025

Global coffee giant Starbucks Corp. reported $9.4 billion in consolidated net revenues for the first quarter of its 2025 fiscal year, reflecting steady performance despite ongoing challenges.

Financial Performance

Starbucks’ total revenue for the quarter ending December 29, 2024, remained flat compared to the same period last year, even when adjusted for currency fluctuations, according to its earnings report released Tuesday.

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Globally, comparable store sales slipped 4%, primarily due to a 6% drop in transactions. However, the decline was somewhat cushioned by a 3% increase in the average ticket size.

In North America, the company’s largest market, net revenues declined 1% year-over-year to $7.1 billion. Operating income in the region saw a sharper drop, plunging 22% to $1.2 billion. The revenue dip was attributed to a 4% decline in comparable store sales, which stemmed from an 8% fall in transactions, partially offset by a 4% rise in average ticket value. Starbucks also faced headwinds in its licensed store business, further impacting revenue.

Internationally, the company fared slightly better. Net revenues outside North America edged up 1% year-over-year to $1.9 billion. However, a 4% decrease in comparable store sales—driven by a 2% drop in both average tickets and transactions—partially offset these gains. Operating income from international markets also dipped 2% to $237.1 million compared to the same quarter last year.

Leadership Insights

Despite the challenges, Starbucks executives remain optimistic.

“We’re just one quarter into our turnaround, but we’re moving fast with our ‘Back to Starbucks’ initiatives, and the response has been encouraging,” said Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol.

Chief Financial Officer Rachel Ruggeri echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the company’s commitment to shareholder value. “We’re in the early stages of our transformation, but we’ll continue to prioritize dividends, ensuring a consistent return of capital as we drive the business forward.”

Market Reaction And Rankings

Investor sentiment remained steady, with Starbucks shares inching up 0.4% to close at $100.8 in after-hours trading on Tuesday.

Starbucks holds the 319th spot on Forbes’ 2024 Global 2000 list, while its former CEO and notable stakeholder Howard Schultz ranks 999th on Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires list, with a net worth of $3.4 billion as of January 29, 2025.

As the company navigates its turnaround, all eyes will be on Starbucks’ ability to reignite growth and maintain its position as a dominant force in the coffee industry.

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Cyprus Tax Authorities Target Undeclared Digital Earnings

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 24, 2025

Cyprus is intensifying its scrutiny on undeclared income from digital channels, as a new audit reveals widespread non-compliance among roughly 300 individuals and entities—including several foreign residents. The investigation, spearheaded by advanced social media monitoring, highlights income omissions from platforms like OnlyFans, which surged in prominence during the pandemic as creators monetized their content through paid subscriptions.

Advanced Monitoring Uncovers Significant Gaps

The Cyprus Tax Department’s sophisticated analytical tools uncovered numerous cases where both local and foreign earners failed to report revenue. Instances of income reaching up to €500,000 have been detected, underscoring a critical gap in fiscal reporting as digital transactions continue to grow.

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Diverse Professional Sectors Under Scrutiny

The audit did not solely target digital creators; it also extended to diverse sectors including beauticians, taxi drivers, hairdressers, travel agents, and small business owners. Notably, over 50 taxi operators were found to have undeclared income surpassing €100,000—often processed via electronic payments—highlighting a broader trend of non-compliance across various service-driven industries.

EU Directives and Enhanced Transparency Measures

The enforcement framework has been bolstered by EU Directive 2011/16/EU (DAC7), which mandates that digital platforms, since July 2021, submit comprehensive user data—such as identities, tax residences, and annual incomes—directly to national tax authorities. This system, supplemented by the One Stop Shop (OSS) VAT mechanism, is instrumental in closing regulatory loopholes and ensuring cross-border financial transparency.

Expanding Focus to a Broad Range of Digital Platforms

Beyond OnlyFans, authorities are extending their audits to include income generated from YouTube, Twitch, Instagram, and other online marketplaces. By correlating bank records with online activity and spending patterns, regulators are keenly focused on individuals whose lifestyles do not match their reported incomes, ensuring equitable tax compliance across traditional and digital domains.

Implications for the Evolving Online Economy

While OnlyFans is primarily recognized for adult content, its platform also serves a wide range of professionals including musicians, fitness trainers, and artists. This comprehensive local investigation into digital earnings underscores the principle that all income—whether digital or traditional—must be declared under Cypriot law. With formal notices set to be dispatched, and the threat of backdated taxation, fines, and even criminal proceedings looming over persistent offenders, the tax department aims to safeguard fiscal integrity in an increasingly digital economic landscape.