If you're Britney Spears, this is some devastating news from the business world. Starbucks has just announced it is closing 600 stores in the U.S.

Despite the best efforts of Spears and her ilk, the market for $7 lattes has eroded a bit amid widespread inflation, staggering energy prices and corporate layoffs.

Underperforming stores will thus be eliminated. Simple economics.

Word has it Britney did not take the news well, however ...

GIMME MY FIX, Y'ALL!! In dire need of caffeine NOW, an enraged Britney Spears readies for an violent umbrella attack on Starbucks Founder/CEO Howard Schultz.

On the plus side, Britney still has her gas stations... although, even ExxonMobil announced it will be jettisoning hundreds of those by 2010.

Lean times, people. Lean times.