Valentine’s Day buzz drives Starbucks to its biggest cake pop sales day ever
Love is in the air – including love for cake pops. Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, was the highest single day of cake pop sales in Starbucks history.
“A sweet treat to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, Singles Awareness Day, or whatever else you like in February,” posted one customer, holding up a red Valentine Cake Pop.
Many others echoed the Starbucks Valentine’s Day Instagram caption, “It really is that simple,” posting photos and videos celebrating the thoughtful yet uncomplicated joy of surprising a loved one with a cake pop and a favorite beverage with “I love you” or “Will you be my Valentine?” written in Sharpie on the cup.
“Our customers are awesome. Cake pops are literally popping up across our social feeds and it’s amazing to see how creative they’re getting,” said a Starbucks spokesperson. “It’s no surprise our cake pops stole the show this Valentine’s Day — they’re fun, shareable and made for sweet moments of connection. Yet another example of the power of this iconic brand.”
Starbucks first added cake pops to the menu in 2010. Sixteen years later, the record-setting day of cake pop sales is an example of something Tressie Lieberman, chief global brand officer at Starbucks, shared at the company’s recent Investor Day in New York City. Starbucks isn’t chasing trends, she said, “we’re building on a beloved platform and never giving customers a reason to go anywhere else.”
In addition to building on core favorites, this spring Starbucks will expand its menu with espresso, matcha and chai drinks featuring flavors like ube and coconut. The bakery case will see a lineup of globally inspired flavors, such as the Strawberry Matcha Loaf.