How a $4 Latte Created an $800M Grocery Empire

Who knew that when Starbucks launched the Pumpkin Spice Latte in 2003, it would spark a grocery category worth $800M+ today?

This weekend I picked up Pumpkin Spice Cheerios and Coffee Mate Cold Foam creamer (delicious!) at Target — just two of the many SKUs driving the seasonal boom.

Pumpkin Spice has become its own retail holiday in packaged food, driven by:
• Incremental in-and-out distribution
• Coveted end-cap displays
• Turn-key display shippers

Another surprise is that pumpkin spice grocery sales have grown 42% since 2019 (NielsenIQ) reflecting not only staying power but continued strong momentum for a flavor that was once called a fad.

Pumpkin spice isn’t just a fall flavor anymore — it’s a proven growth play in grocery retail.

👉 How’s your brand tapping into it this season?