Starbucks to slash U.S. store openings

Starbucks Corp said on Wednesday it would slash U.S. coffee store openings through 2011 to cut costs in the face of weak U.S. sales and to focus more on growth abroad.

The company, which warned last week of the worst economic environment in its history, said U.S. customer visits had slowed but estimated growth in international business profit margins over the next few years.