Starbucks anticipates 1 in 7 Canadians to receive a Starbucks gift card this holiday season
With holiday gifting in full swing, Starbucks anticipates that 1 in 7 Canadians will receive a Starbucks gift card this holiday season, with Dec. 24 projected to be the busiest day for Starbucks Card purchases in the U.S. and Canada. The company expects more than $60 million USD to be loaded on new Starbucks Cards that day alone.
The National Retail Federation reports that gift cards remain a favourite item for holiday shoppers this year, with total spend expected to reach $29 billion. Among Gen Z shoppers, 46% say they want to receive a gift card, and 43% of shoppers overall plan to purchase at least one gift card this holiday season.
History of Starbucks cards
When Starbucks introduced its first gift card in November 2001, it was among the first major retailers to offer a reloadable card. That year, Starbucks Cards became one of the most popular holiday gifts, with nearly 200,000 sold in the first week alone. For just a few dollars, customers could give a meaningful gift to loved ones, helping spread awareness of the brand as Starbucks grew from 4,700 coffeehouses in 2001 to more than 40,000 coffeehouses today. Nearly 2,000 card designs have been released over the nearly 25 years of the program and available in 45 markets around the world.
Starbucks Cards are now available in both physical and digital formats and most can be loaded in any amount from $5 to $100. Customers can purchase gift cards at Starbucks coffeehouses and a variety of other locations including grocery stores, and other retailers.
How to purchase a Starbucks Card
Starbucks eGift Cards can be purchased and gifted through the company’s website, the Starbucks app and Apple iMessage, and can be sent with a personalized message for a special holiday greeting or wishes for a happy new year.
Starbucks Cards are a gift that keeps on giving. When customers register a Starbucks Card with the Starbucks Rewards loyalty program and make a qualifying purchase, they can earn Stars redeemable for beverages, food and more. Some restrictions apply. Details are available at starbucks.ca/rewards. Visit starbucks.ca/gift to view this year’s holiday designs and learn more about the ways to purchase a Starbucks Card.
