Starbucks Corp. has said it will close around 600 underperforming stores in the US, including the 100 stores already slated for closure under the company's restructuring plan announced earlier this year.

Most of the closures will take place over the rest of this year and through the first half of fiscal 2009, but the timing is ultimately dependent on finalizing third-party agreements, the company said. In addition, Starbucks now expects to open fewer than 200 new US company-operated stores in fiscal 2009.

However, the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. Inc., the grocer more commonly known as A&P, is planning to add Starbucks Coffee outlets to several stores in the Northeast under a licensing deal. The first locations are scheduled to open in November this year. Starbucks already has units in such supermarket chains as Safeway and Vons/Pavilions.