Although fall has just begun, many retailers are already racing to roll out their winter and holiday menus to stay relevant, keep up with evolving trends, and get ahead of competitors.
However, Starbucks couldn’t wait any longer. The coffee giant is among the first to reveal its Holiday 2025 menu and merchandise lineup. Yet, this one comes with a major surprise that finally brings a popular international collaboration nationwide.
Starbucks is partnering with Hello Kitty to launch a new holiday merchandise collection in U.S. and Canadian stores beginning November 6. This marks the first time the company will release this collection in North America.
With Hello Kitty being a global icon and Starbucks being one of the world’s largest international coffeehouse chains, combining these two brands’ cultural prominence and massive followings seemed like a no-brainer.
“Starbucks and Hello Kitty have strong fandoms and deep roots in culture,” said Starbucks Director of U.S. Merchandise Kap Pitarys. “Interestingly, both were born in the ’70s – Hello Kitty in 1974 and Starbucks in 1971. We’re excited to bring back that nostalgic vibe with this special collaboration this holiday season.”
Starbucks x Hello Kitty Collection
- Hello Kitty Boxed Plush: $34.95
- Hello Kitty Ceramic Mug: $32.95
- Hello Kitty Stainless Steel Cold Cup: $32.95
- Hello Kitty Water Bottle: $29.95
- Hello Kitty Cold Cup: $24.95
- Hello Kitty Stainless Steel Tumbler: $32.95
- Hello Kitty Gift Cards: Standard physical and digital gift cards with a minimum load of $5 and a special Hello Kitty-shaped card with a load of $10 or more
Starbucks partners with Hello Kitty to launch merchandise across North America.
Starbucks and Hello Kitty’s history
Starbucks (SBUX) previously teamed up with Hello Kitty in 2024 to celebrate the beloved character’s 50th anniversary, releasing an exclusive merchandise and beverage line.
However, the collection was only available in 13 Asian Pacific markets, including Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
While the Asia collection featured 15 items and two limited-time beverages, the North American version will focus solely on merchandise this time.
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Hello Kitty, created by Yuko Shimizu in 1974 and owned by the Japanese company Sanrio, began as a fictional character on a coin purse before becoming one of the world’s most recognizable icons.
Today, her image appears on millions of products, comics, books, films, video games, and advertisements worldwide.
In 2008, Hello Kitty was even named Japan’s ambassador of tourism in China and Hong Kong. While the character is globally popular, it remains Japan’s top-grossing character with the largest following based in Asia, according to Fandom.
Starbucks’ strategy to win back customers
Given Hello Kitty’s strong Asian roots, Starbucks may have taken a more cautious approach before introducing the collection to North America. Retailers often tailor offerings to local markets, balancing global appeal with regional preferences to maximize engagement and reduce risk.
Collaborations like this are powerful tools in a crowded retail landscape, since they offer unique products that can’t be found elsewhere, create excitement, drive foot traffic, and attract attention from both brands’ loyal fan bases.
This strategic move comes at a critical time for Starbucks, as the company has been working to reverse ongoing sales and traffic declines through its “Back to Starbucks” turnaround plan.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2025, global comparable store sales fell 2% year over year, driven by a 2% decline in transactions.
North America, once Starbucks’ most profitable market, saw a 2% decline in comparable store sales, with a 3% decrease in transactions.
Meanwhile, the company’s international markets performed slightly better, with flat comparable store sales and a 1% transaction increase. This might explain why Starbucks is borrowing from the success of its international strategies.
“We’ve fixed a lot and done the hard work on the hard things to build a strong operating foundation, and based on my experience of turnarounds, we are ahead of schedule,” said Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol.
“In 2026, we’ll unleash a wave of innovation that fuels growth, elevates customer service, and ensures everyone experiences the very best of Starbucks. We’re building back a better Starbucks experience and a better business.”