[RePinion]

Sure Starbucks hasn't been doing as well lately (a well publicized fact) but it's not like its crashing and burning. The company is still very profitable and will probably continue to expand albeit at a slower pace. It seems that the company is pulling away from its market saturation strategy; hence the closure of redundant urban locations (these were usually stores were another Starbucks is across the street, etc.). I highly doubt if independents will ever strike at the core of its business.