Target and Starbucks have spent more than two decades building a partnership that gives shoppers a reason to visit both brands on a single trip. Now, the two companies are teaming up again with something new for customers making their next Target run.
The latest collection comes as both retailers work to regain momentum after periods of weaker sales and customer traffic, adding a new chapter to a partnership that has continued to evolve over the years.
Starbucks launches a Target-exclusive collection
Starbucks (SBUX) is teaming up with Target (TGT) to launch the new Starbucks x Target Cake Pop Collection, featuring drinkware inspired by the coffee chain’s iconic cake pops.
The limited-time collection will be available beginning Oct. 13, 2026, exclusively at participating Starbucks cafés inside Target stores nationwide.
The Starbucks x Target Cake Pop Collection includes:
- A cake-pop-adorned mug
- A cake-pop-adorned water bottle with three cake-pop charms
- A cake-pop glass cold cup with a Target Bullseye dog straw topper
- A cake-pop tumbler with a Starbucks Birthday Cake Pop straw topper
The collection gives Starbucks fans another opportunity to purchase themed drinkware and offers Target shoppers merchandise they cannot find elsewhere through the same collaboration.
Target’s long-standing Starbucks partnership
Target and Starbucks began their partnership in 1999, when Target introduced a licensed Starbucks location inside a U.S. retail store. The collaboration was designed to make Target a more convenient shopping destination by allowing customers to grab coffee while shopping.
The partnership has since expanded significantly. By 2023, Starbucks operated more than 1,700 locations inside Target stores, according to a company announcement. That represented a substantial portion of Target’s approximately 2,000 U.S. stores at the time.
Over the years, the companies have expanded beyond in-store coffee service, introducing exclusive merchandise and seasonal menu items available through Target locations.
Target shoppers can find the Bullseye Dog Sugar Cookie and Cake Pop among the year-round offerings. Last holiday season, the companies also introduced Frozen Peppermint Hot Chocolate, with Target Circle 360 members receiving 24-hour early access to the drink, according to a company announcement.
“For so many people, a Target run starts with grabbing their favorite drink from Starbucks before browsing our aisles, so together we’re building on that magic with an exclusive, only-at-Target drink to add a little extra cheer to holiday shopping,” Target Executive VP and CMO of Food, Essentials, and Beauty Lisa Roath said in a statement at the time.
The latest merchandise collection follows the same approach, bringing the two brands together through products that customers can discover during a Target shopping trip.
How Target and Starbucks benefit from their partnership
The partnership gives both companies an opportunity to reach each other’s customers while making a Target shopping trip more convenient. Starbucks provides an established coffee destination within Target stores, while Target gives Starbucks access to shoppers who might otherwise visit a stand-alone café.
The relationship is particularly relevant as both companies work to improve their business performance following challenges with sales and customer traffic.
Here’s some of my previous coverage on Starbucks’ turnaround efforts:
- Starbucks CEO announces major update on turnaround plan
- Major coffee chain is closing 250 stores across North America
- Starbucks abandons key strategy to embrace its past
Starbucks has reported improving results in recent quarters. During the third quarter of fiscal 2026, the company reported a 7% year-over-year increase in North American revenue and an 8.1% rise in comparable store sales. Comparable transactions climbed 4.5%, while the average ticket was up 3.5%.
The results point to improvement in both customer activity and spending. Starbucks also reported four consecutive quarters of comparable store sales growth and raised its fiscal 2026 guidance in its third-quarter results, signaling greater confidence in its recovery.
The company has continued to make changes as part of its turnaround.
Target has also reported signs of improvement.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2026, the retailer reported a 5.3% year-over-year increase in net sales and a 3.8% rise in comparable sales. Comparable traffic also climbed 3.6%, suggesting more customers visited its stores.
The results come as Target continues working to improve its stores and shopping experience as part of a broader effort to regain customer momentum. Its initiatives include changes to store layout, product offerings, and overall customer experience.
Neither company separately breaks out the financial contribution of its Starbucks-in-Target partnership in the cited earnings reports, making it difficult to assess the collaboration’s direct impact on sales or profitability.
Still, the partnership remains an established part of Target’s in-store experience. Exclusive merchandise and seasonal offerings give the companies additional ways to engage with shoppers, complementing their broader efforts to strengthen customer loyalty and business performance.
Related: Target makes an in-store change designed to make finding help easier
