Why Are People Boycotting Starbucks?

A 20-ounce glass shaped like a teddy bear, similar to those honey bear bottles you can find at any supermarket — that's what Starbucks released in November 2025, along with its holiday menu. They called it the Bearista Cup and priced it at $30.

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As soon as coffee enthusiasts heard about it, they started lining up outside Starbucks stores. Some even camped out in the early morning to snag this limited-edition viral bear-shaped cup.

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Why the frenzy? The cup sold out within hours at many stores. Now there's an online resale market where people are asking hundreds of dollars for these cups.

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A Culture of Overconsumption

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Here's where things get tricky. While we're all for resale and secondhand goods, this isn't the kind of reselling that keeps products in use longer. These cheap quality, single-use items will likely end up in forgotten drawers or landfills before next year's holiday season rolls around.

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Sound familiar? This trend echoes Black Friday sales, a shopping extravaganza that fuels overconsumption, mindless spending, and a culture of disposable products.

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But the Bearista Cup controversy goes deeper than just wasteful consumerism. Many people see it as a distraction tactic, and they're not having it.

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Social Media Backlash

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Here's what folks are saying on social media:

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"Ya'll talk about end consumerism this, end consumerism that, but then go crazy over a stupid a** Starbucks teddy bear cup (sic)"

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"What is so special about this Starbucks bear cup? It literally looks like something you'd find at a dollar store. Y'all basically just paid $30 for the logo; y'all are INSANE (sic)."

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"Grown a** people standing in line at 4:30 a.m. for a bear cup at Starbucks 💀 (sic)," another commented.

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"Do you have so little happiness in your life that the cheap, crappy Chinese trinket will fill that hole? (sic)"

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Some users think this was a calculated move to drive customers to stores, especially considering the timing. Right now, Starbucks is facing one of the largest unionized strikes in its history.

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Strike at Starbucks

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Since November 13, 2025, more than 2,000 baristas across 65 cities have been on strike. The strike kicked off on Starbucks' "red cup day," which marks the start of the holiday season at the coffee chain. Workers are demanding better pay, improved staffing in stores, and a resolution of hundreds of unfair labor practice charges filed against the company.

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The strike has gained support from prominent politicians, including Zohran Mamdani, the New York City mayor-elect, who's been asking people not to visit Starbucks stores while baristas are on strike.

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This is where the boycott intensifies. When workers are fighting for fair treatment and better conditions, releasing a viral product that draws crowds to stores feels tone-deaf at best, exploitative at worst.

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Meanwhile, CEO Brian Niccol has been pursuing a "Back to Starbucks" turnaround plan focusing on filling orders faster, simplifying menus, upgrading stores, and closing poorly performing stores. Yet same-store sales have been declining or flat in recent quarters. Between the ongoing boycotts, labor disputes, and these overconsumption tactics, it's clear the coffee giant is facing a growing credibility crisis with customers who care about both worker rights and environmental responsibility.

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