Starbucks wants to make occasional customers into regulars. It saw unexpected headwinds in 1Q, with one factor being occasional U.S. customers who tend to visit stores in the afternoon came in less frequently. Starbucks implemented targeted offers aimed at bringing those customers into its loyalty program, which it says has been shown to create a long-term relationship that increases both ticket and transactions. CEO Laxman Narasimhan says the initiatives have led to more occasional customers beginning to rebound in December. “We feel good about the trajectory over the course of the quarter, but it will take time for our plans to be fully realized,” Narasimhan says.