Starbucks coffee ice cubes could soon be rolled out nationwide. At the moment the coffee chain is experimenting with caffeinated ice in only two cities: St. Louis and Baltimore. The beta test will run for eight weeks in 100 stores. For 80 cents extra you can add the coffee cubes to any Starbucks iced espresso or coffee drink.
Starbucks has shown that it's unafraid to experiment with its menu. It consistently rolls out wacky drinks that make it the star of social media, whether that's frappuccinos covered in pie crust or rainbow-colored lattes. The Starbucks coffee ice cubes are almost pedestrian in comparison to those aforementioned menu items, but they might have better staying power. They're simple to make and are an easy up sell. At the moment the company hasn't commented on its plans for the coffee ice cubes after the eight-week test period ends, but it's hard to see them disappearing entirely, especially as the summer months heat up.
Caffeinated Coffee Chillers
Starbucks Coffee Ice Cubes are Available in St. Louis and Baltimore
Trend Themes
1. Caffeinated Ice Cubes - The trend of using caffeinated ice cubes to elevate coffee or other drinks is catching on among coffee shops; a potential innovation opportunity for the energy drink industry to expand its scope of offerings to include complementary products.
2. Novelty Beverages - The trend of offering innovative beverages with quirky features like Starbucks' coffee ice cubes and rainbow-colored lattes is gaining popularity, and presents an opportunity for the beverage industry to create unique products that capture consumers' imaginations.
3. Upselling Enhancements - The trend of offering enhancements, such as Starbucks' caffeinated ice cubes for a nominal fee, provides an opportunity for businesses to attract customers with minimal effort and create additional revenue streams without going to great lengths on product development.
Industry Implications
1. Coffee Shops - The coffee shop industry can capitalize on the trend of offering caffeinated ice cubes as a way of enhancing and personalizing customers' beverages, and potentially attracting new business by emphasizing innovative features.
2. Beverage - The trend of creating novelty beverages, such as those with unique textures or flavors, could be a disruptive innovation opportunity for companies in the beverage industry that look to break through an increasingly competitive market by offering innovative products that capture consumers' interest.
3. Energy Drinks - Companies in the energy drink industry could realize an opportunity for expanding the scope of their product offerings by creating complementary products like caffeinated ice cubes, which can be marketed as a tool for enhancing existing energy drinks or other beverages.