Global sales rise 1% driven by international markets; U.S. demand flat as high prices and inflation hit consumers

xReuters: Starbucks (SBUX.O), opens new tab posted its first quarter of gains in comparable sales after nearly a year and a half on Wednesday, led by international markets, but margins took a hit from the surging coffee bean cost. Growth still eluded the company's largest market, the U.S., as consumers watched their budgets and cut back on Starbucks coffees that have gotten pricier due to rising costs of the commodity. CEO Brian Niccol said Starbucks would be judicious with price increases next year and that he did not expect any broad menu price hikes. The results follow several quarters of falling sales that prompted Starbucks to hire Niccol in August last year. Since taki

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