BUSINESS

Teddy Bear Trouble: Starbucks' Latest Holiday Cup Sparks Chaos

USAFri Nov 07 2025

Starbucks' new holiday cup is making waves, but not in the way they expected.

The Glass Starbucks Bearista Cold Cup

  • Design: Shaped like a teddy bear wearing a green beanie
  • Price: $29.95
  • Demand: Extremely high, leading to fights and frustration

The Brawl in Houston

A brawl broke out over the cup in Houston, highlighting the intense demand.

Customer Frustration

  • Availability Issues: Many stores are sold out
  • Long Lines: Hours spent waiting, only to find no cups
  • Resale Market: Prices skyrocketing to $300 on resale sites

Starbucks' Response

Starbucks has apologized, admitting they underestimated the demand. They promise more merchandise is coming but didn't specify when or how many cups will be restocked.

Other Holiday Drinks

Despite the cup shortage, Starbucks still offers festive drinks like:

  • Peppermint Mocha
  • Iced Sugar Cookie Latte

The Lesson

The incident raises questions about why Starbucks made such a limited supply of a product they knew would be popular. It's a clear example of supply and demand gone wrong.

questions

    Why did Starbucks not anticipate the high demand for the Bearista cups and plan their supply chain accordingly?
    How does Starbucks plan to ensure fair distribution of the Bearista cups to all customers in the future?
    What alternative distribution methods could Starbucks have employed to ensure a fair and equitable release of the Bearista cups?

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