Ready or not, the fall flavor’s onset has begun, with Dunkin’ launching its fall menu today – earlier than in the past – pouring Pumpkin Spice Signature Lattes and pumpkin coffee.
Think that’s early? Heck, Krispy Kreme and 7-Eleven both started offering pumpkin spice goodies earlier this month. Starbucks and other favorite stops historically on the pumpkin spice bandwagon aren’t likely far behind.
7-Eleven picked its earliest date ever, too – August 1 – to bring back its Pumpkin Spice Latte and pumpkin coffee. “We decided to break out the pumpkin a little bit early this year,” said Dennis Phelps, 7-Eleven’s senior vice president of merchandising (vault & proprietary beverages), in a statement. “It may not quite feel like fall outside yet, but it sure can taste like fall as we enjoy the first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season.”
Supermarkets also have a harvest of pumpkin products including cereal, creamers and cookie dough available, while pumpkin ales and stouts are already vying for shelf space with Oktoberfest beers. Estimates of the “pumpkin spice industrial complex” – range from about $300 million to $600 million annually.
“Pumpkin spice has solidified its role as autumn’s comfort flavor, just as we associate ice cream with summer months and soups with winter,” Darren Seifer, food and beverage industry analyst for research firm Circana, told USA TODAY.
But there are signs of weakness in the pumpkin patch. Consumers opted for slightly less pumpkin and pumpkin spice food and beverages last fall, than in fall 2021, down 6% with consumption of 4.8 annual “eatings” per person dropping to 4.5 in the most recent 12 months, which included fall 2022, according to Circana, formerly IRI and The NPD Group.
And an unscientific poll on X, formerly known as Twitter, found that half of 422 respondents said they had “No taste for pumpkin,” while 23.5% said they “can’t wait” for pumpkin spice coffee and foods to hit stores, while 26.5% said “Pumpkin spice is…
Read the full article here
