Starbucks has announced the results of the best year in the company’s history, with a 12 per cent increase in revenues to US$14.9 billion. After a record-breaking final quarter, the company has increased the quarterly cash dividend by 24 per cent. Starbucks opened 1,701 net new stores during the year, ending fiscal 2013 with 19,767 stores globally and returned US$1.2 billion to shareholders through dividend payments and share repurchases. “The fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 capped off by far the best year in Starbucks 42-year-history,” Chairman, President and CEO of Starbucks Coffee Company, Howard Schultz, said in a statement. “Our results were driven by disciplined, ongoing efforts to elevate the value and relevance of the Starbucks brand, continued innovation and the success of our efforts to deepen our connection to customers and communities around the world.”
