The Canada and U.S. agreement covers the manufacturing, marketing, distribution and sale of Starbucks and Tazo tea-branded K-Cup portion packs. Consumer securities analyst Sharon Zackfia, of William Blair & Co., predicts Starbucks’ K-Cup sales could reach between $100 million and $200 million in the first year. The single-cup premium coffee category is estimated to be a US$2-billion market.
“This relationship is yet another example of GMCR’s strategy of aligning with the strongest coffee brands to support a range of consumer choice and taste profiles in our innovative Keurig Single-Cup Brewing system,” said Lawrence Blanford, GMCR president and CEO.
The product is expected to hit shelves in the U.S. and Canada this fall.