Starbucks has partnered with Sanrio to launch a new range of Hello Kitty-inspired beverages and limited-edition collectible drinkware and accessories. This collaboration celebrates Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary and aims to evoke a sense of nostalgia.
Inspired by the character’s love for apples, the Starbucks x Hello Kitty drinks include the Apple Pie Cream Frappuccino, featuring chunky apple sauce blended with milk and cream syrup, and the Red Apple Frozen Tea, a mix of Teavana Zen Clouds Oolong Tea with sweet apple sauce and apple bits.
The collection also includes Hello Kitty-themed drinkware and lifestyle items such as mugs, water bottles, lanyards, phone charms, and plush toys.
Jamie Silva, senior manager for marketing, digital customer experience and loyalty at Starbucks Philippines, hopes the new collection will resonate with fans.
“With a nostalgic charm and playful spirit, the collection is designed to bring people together and create lasting memories,” said Silva.
Starbucks is also releasing four blind box collectibles in Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. These blind boxes feature tiny cup clips of Hello Kitty and her pal, Tiny Chum.
Samuel Fung, vice president for product and marketing, Starbucks Asia Pacific, said the brand is delighted to be part of Hello Kitty’s 50th birthday.
By evoking nostalgia with a touch of joy and playfulness, we hope the new Starbucks Experience will captivate Hello Kitty and Sanrio fans in the Asia Pacific region, enticing them to share these moments with the special people in their lives,” he concluded.
The new Hello Kitty x Starbucks collection is available across 13 markets in the Asia Pacific region, including Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Sanrio, the Japanese lifestyle brand behind Hello Kitty, is known for creating “kawaii” (cute) characters like My Melody, Kuromi, and Cinnamoroll. Starbucks, established in 1971 in Seattle, has grown into one of the world’s largest coffee chains, with over 34,000 stores globally.
