Starbucks Sets New Employee Schedules for Baristas

The Wall Street Journal reported that Starbucks has changed its system of scheduling employees to have fewer workers on shift for more hours.
The company's new employee schedule is aimed at reducing labor costs and improving sales by fostering greater familiarity between customers and a smaller group of employees. This change in employee scheduling is part of a broader plan to revive Starbucks amid a slowdown in sales that has prompted the coffee retailer to shut many stores and curb its expansion.
Starbucks management believes that these new employee schedules with Baristas working longer hours will encourage better relationships between employees and customers.

"The customer's favorite experience is when the people behind the counter know them," said Craig Russell, Starbucks vice president for U.S. store services. Baristas ... will "be able to get you going faster by knowing what you already want."