SEATTLE -- Starbucks Coffee Co. has launched its new ready-to-drink coffee drink, Starbucks Iced Coffee, in the United States through the North American Coffee Partnership, a joint venture with Pepsi-Cola Co.
Starbucks Iced Coffee is a cold coffee drink made with Starbucks Italian Roast coffee and milk. It will be available in Starbucks company-operated retail stores in the United States beginning in late March 2006. U.S. grocery and convenience stores nationwide will carry regular and light varieties of Starbucks Iced Coffee beginning in May 2006.
In developing the new Iced Coffees, the North American Coffee Partnership looked to trends and customer preferences within the overall coffee category. According to the National Coffee Drinking Trends report, published by the National Coffee Association, most customers want a coffee beverage with a simple, high-quality, full-coffee flavor and light dairy and sweetness, which until now has been largely unavailable in the United States.
"Expanding Starbucks ready-to-drink offerings both in the U.S. and internationally helps to strengthen the Starbucks brand, said Gerry Lopez, president of Starbucks Global Consumer Products.
In addition to the launch of Starbucks Iced Coffee, the North American Coffee Partnership is introducing two line extensions within its Starbucks DoubleShot and bottled Starbucks Frappuccino brands.
Starbucks DoubleShot Light is a blend of espresso and cream, but with lower fat, calories and sugar than the regular version. It will be available in U.S. grocery and c-stores in May 2006.
The North American Coffee Partnership also is introducing bottled Starbucks Strawberries and Cr ame Frappuccino cr ame drink. This blend of strawberries and low-fat milk is the first coffee-free bottled Starbucks Frappuccino cr ame drink and will be available in Starbucks retail stores in late March 2006 and in U.S. grocery and c-stores nationally in early May 2006.
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