Starbucks BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.
Starbucks has absolutely owned both headlines and social feeds this November as the holiday season hit full throttle. On November 6th, CEO Brian Niccol proclaimed the company’s biggest North American sales day ever, as the new Bearista Cup dropped alongside the annual holiday menu. Placer.ai and Restaurant Dive confirm that store traffic spiked nearly 38 percent as collectors lined up before dawn; some Bearista cups landed on eBay for over $1,000 as TikTokers and Instagram creators amped the frenzy, sharing everything from all-night cup quests to “bear cup betrayal” gripes when staffers allegedly snagged the goods before doors opened. Starbucks soon had to issue a public apology as the Bearista sell-out led to fan backlash, but that didn’t dent the buzz—this was viral marketing at its most caffeinated, with Instagram trend roundups like SocialBee calling the bear cup a sensation.
Barely a week later, Red Cup Day on November 13th saw even bigger crowds—foot traffic was up more than 44 percent above daily averages, outshining even the Bearista mania. Starbucks execs boasted of record-setting participation, while stories from CBS and Placer.ai noted that in-store lines and dwell times ballooned as the reusable holiday cups were snapped up. A massive sales victory, but not without complications—in a bold labor move, Workers United staged what they dubbed the Red Cup Rebellion. More than 1,000 baristas across over 40 cities struck for better pay and conditions, temporarily shuttering some Seattle and other high-profile stores. Only 1 percent of locations actually closed, according to company spokespeople, but the optics were hard to ignore: union picket lines set against a backdrop of gleeful customers with gleaming red cups. National politicians chimed in, and Starbucks’ statement framed the strike disruption as minimal, boasting of their record sales nonetheless.
Adding spice, Starbucks and Target teamed up to launch an exclusive Frozen Peppermint Hot Chocolate on November 18th, aiming to push traffic ahead of Thanksgiving and entice budget-wary shoppers. Meanwhile, Starbucks faces a challenging year—its stock price has dropped 12 percent compared to last autumn, and Mizuho analysts warn that menu cuts, layoffs, and even an overhaul of store layouts might not be enough to buoy the premium coffee brand amid inflation and shifting consumer moods.
On social media, commentary is as lively as ever—the bear cup, the labor strikes, and even TikTok-fueled rumors about exclusive merch keep Starbucks at the very center of retail’s holiday gossip mill. For Starbucks—all press is good press, and this November, there has been plenty.
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