Starbucks gets in on Black Friday – why it matters
Starbucks announced this week that it will be rolling out Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals for coffee and tea lovers this holiday season. The chain will have sales online and in participating stores on its Verismo 580 Starbucks System for $99 and its 16 ounce Stainless Steel Espresso Refill Tumbler for $65, which will come with one free espresso refill every day during the month of January.
Long the tradition of mass retailers, clothing and electronics stores, it is interesting to see the holiday sales translate over to the food and beverage industry. However, Starbucks’ participation in Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals may be easier done than for other food chains because it has commercial merchandise outside of its regular food and drink items. Each year consumers chase down deals on items that they have had their eye on for some time, and with more shoppers starting to brew their own drinks at home, the Verismo is understandably an item that many would want a deal on.
In addition to the Verismo system, shoppers can also purchase the Chai tea and Starbucks Holiday Blend pods so that they will have a well-stocked stash to start of a new year of home brewing. And for coffee drinkers on the go, the Espresso Refill Tumbler extends its return on investment throughout an entire month beyond the initial gift purchase. Every day during the month of January 2014, guests can bring in their tumblers to participating stores for an espresso refill.
The tumbler is regularly priced at $75 with its total value coming out to $140 when the price of grande espresso refills is added in. Choose from any of the selections available on the menu or elect to try holiday regulars including Caramel Brulee Latte, Gingerbread Latte and Peppermint Mocha.
Destiny Bennett is a journalist who has earned double communications' degrees in Journalism and Public Relations, as well as a certification in Business from The University of Texas at Austin. She has written stories for AustinWoman Magazine as well as various University of Texas publications and enjoys the art of telling a story. Her interests include finance, technology, social media...and watching HGTV religiously.