Popular coffeehouse chains and grocery stores released new fall items, encouraging consumers to try the new flavors of the season.
The release of limited edition items is essential to increasing consumer behavior during the shifting seasons.
“I think stores bring in seasonal items to keep you buying their products. Every two months, there is something new to buy, but it puts pressure on you to buy it quickly before it all runs out,” said Christina Laane, a frequent shopper at Trader Joe’s.
Like Laane, many consumers are eager to get their hands on the newest items of the season before they leave the stores and menus.
Popular social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok reflect the increase in consumer activity and the growing popularity of seasonal items
According to McCormick Flavor Solutions, 25% of consumers said limited-edition flavors influenced their choices. Additionally, during the fall seasons of 2022 and 2023, there were 42.1 million views on TikTok and 245,508 posts on Instagram related to fall content.
This season’s excitement has led popular places like Trader Joe’s, Krispy Kreme, and Starbucks to release new items, increasing the marketing and enjoyment of their products. Many items center around the popular flavors of fall, like pumpkin, apple, and chocolate.
To satisfy its goal of providing customers with both unique and cheap products, Trader Joe’s released new items ranging from tasty fall treats to fall-themed cosmetics.
The new arrivals included products like the Caramel Apple Mochi, Vanilla Pumpkin Scented Candle, Pumpkin Body Scrub, and Chocolate Mousse Pumpkins, which were Laane’s favorite.
“It’s cute to see little pumpkins, which puts you in the spirit of the season,” Laane said.
Krispy Kreme, known for its freshly baked doughnuts and unique flavor creations each season, also released new fall-themed doughnuts. New items like the Maple Buttercream Doughnut and Salted Caramel Cheesecake Doughnut were released along with the fall classics, like the Pumpkin Spice Cake Doughnut.
Dakota Chang, a sophomore at Carlmont High School, recently went to give them a try.
“I love the Pumpkin Spice Cake Doughnut so much from Krispy Kreme. It’s a spiced take on the classic Glazed Sour Cream Cake Doughnut,” Chang said.
Starbucks also added seasonal items to its menu to keep up with its trend of releasing new drinks every fall season. Elphaba’s Cold Brew and Glinda’s Pink Potion, inspired by the film “Wicked” were released along with other pumpkin, apple, and pecan-flavored drinks.
Sayuri Stock, a freshman at Carlmont High School, recently enjoyed the newly released Apple Crisp Chai Latte.
“It’s fall-themed, and Starbucks only has it once a year,” Stock said.
The overall spirit of fall remains high as customers try limited products from their favorite brands released right as the warmer temperatures from summer begin to drop.
“There is an increase of excitement for the products since customers feel like they are getting something early,” Chang said.
