Starbucks' new boba-like "popping pearls" drinks, featuring raspberry-flavored popping pearls, sold so well that the company had to reduce marketing to prevent supply shortages, the company said.
The demand for boba-inspired drinks, particularly among Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers, was higher than anticipated, leading to strong sales and the need to restock stores.
The "popping pearls" drinks, including the Summer-Berry Lemonade, Summer Skies, and Summer-Berry Starbucks Refreshers, contributed to record sales of Starbucks' Refreshers drinks.
Customers have been adding popping pearls to various Refreshers drinks beyond the core pearls lineup, contributing to high demand, as confirmed by baristas.
While the "popping pearls" drinks thrived, Starbucks announced a decline in sales in the third quarter, attributed to reduced demand from American and Chinese consumers.
Starbucks' version of boba drinks uses popping pearls instead of traditional tapioca pearls and does not include tea, appealing to a different market than traditional bubble tea.
The company plans to expand its offerings, aligning with its focus on cold beverages, which made up a significant portion of its sales in the quarter.
Sources: QZ, Business Insider, DNYUZ
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
