Starbucks Apologizes for Shortage of Holiday 2025 'Bearista' Cups

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Starbucks recently stated an official apology after a shortage of its limited-edition "Bearista" cups sparked widespread customer outrage.

The iconic bear-shaped cups, part of the 2025 holiday collection, sold out quickly after their launch on November 6, 2025.

The incident began when Starbucks released a 20-ounce "Bearista" glass cold cup for $29.95 as part of its holiday merchandise.

While anticipated to be popular, demand for the adorable bear-designed cups far exceeded the company's expectations.

Many customers who lined up before stores opened were forced to leave empty-handed.

The shortage of "Bearista" cups not only flooded social media with complaints but also drove resale prices on platforms like eBay to soar by hundreds of dollars.

In response to this wave of disappointment, Starbucks issued a statement acknowledging the overwhelming customer enthusiasm and apologizing for the inconvenience.

Starbucks couldn't bear the outrage any longer! https://t.co/e2D2tkDFXU pic.twitter.com/zGChQulI6I

— E! News (@enews) November 7, 2025

Starbucks' launch of the "Bearista" glass cold cup on Thursday, November 6, 2025, was a major highlight for collectors and fans alike.

The 20-ounce cup features an adorable bear design with a green silicone beanie hat and matching straw.

It is an integral part of the highly anticipated 2025 holiday merchandise collection.

Bearista" cup went viral on various social media platforms even before its official release.

Many Starbucks fans actively expressed their desire to own this limited-edition item. This fervent enthusiasm was an early indication of high market demand.

However, the company's expectations for demand were far below reality.

The "Bearista" cup sold out almost immediately after it was available in Starbucks stores.

Many disappointed customers took to social media to vent their frustration after failing to secure their coveted "Bearista" cups.

Some even lined up outside Starbucks stores before opening hours.

However, they were faced with the reality that the cups were sold out within minutes.

Barista reports also indicated that each store received very limited stock, sometimes only one or two units. This limited stock led to chaos and disputes at several locations.

An incident even occurred in Houston, Texas, requiring police intervention to calm the situation.

This shortage was quickly exploited by third parties to resell "Bearista" cups on platforms like eBay.

Resale prices skyrocketed, reaching $150 to $400 per cup.

In response to the widespread criticism, Starbucks issued an official public apology.

The company acknowledged that enthusiasm for its holiday merchandise had exceeded expectations.

This statement aimed to ease tensions among loyal customers.

In a statement, Starbucks said, "We understand many customers are excited about the Bearista cup and apologize for any disappointment this may have caused."

While Starbucks indicated more exciting merchandise would be coming during the holiday season, no specific details were provided regarding the "Bearista" cup restock.

The 2025 holiday collection also includes a collaboration with Hello Kitty as well as seasonal drinks like the Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte, Iced Sugar Cookie Latte, and Iced Gingerbread Chai.