Skip to content
General

Starbucks Cards with Swarovski crystals will be available in limited quantities in China, Hong Kong …

By Sarah Chen
1 min read
maxresdefault6
maxresdefault6
In this article (4)
 Since the first Starbucks Card launched in 2001, designers have created hundreds of varieties of these collectible cards.

One of this year’s new designs, available at participating Starbucks stores in Asia, is a Starbucks Card adorned with Swarovski crystals. The premium mini Starbucks Card – small enough to fit on your keyring – will be available in select markets across the region.

The limited-edition mini Starbucks Card creates the feeling of a snowscape for holiday gift-giving. The design, awash in champagne and silver hues, is studded with 29 dazzling Swarovski crystals applied in Austria. This international exclusive will be available starting in November in limited quantities in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand.

“We continually innovate to find convenient and expressive ways to pay,” said Brady Brewer, senior vice president of Category Brand Management for Starbucks China and Asia Pacific Region. “We’ve featured premium materials like sterling silver, and of course we introduced mobile payment in several Asia markets.”

Production of the one-of-a-kind Starbucks Card with Swarovski crystals was a collaboration between the Austria-based company for crystal application and a U.S. supplier that printed the cards. The Starbucks Card features a barcode, rather than a magnetized stripe, to enable crystals to be placed across the entire face of the card. The Starbucks Card has a minimum load amount that varies by market.

“This Starbucks Card is a premium option for customers looking to give a gift to themselves or their favorite Starbucks fan with something special,” Brewer said. “This is just the beginning of what we’re going to see for the holidays at Starbucks.”

Starbucks Cards with Swarovski crystals will be available in limited quantities in China, Hong Kong …

Starbucks Cards with Swarovski crystals will be available in limited quantities in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand this Holiday

Questions & Answers

Q.

Which countries in Asia will stock the Swarovski crystal Starbucks Card?

A.

The premium mini Starbucks Card will be available in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand starting in November.

Q.

How many Swarovski crystals are on each card and where are they applied?

A.

Each card is studded with 29 Swarovski crystals. These crystals are applied in Austria, in collaboration with an Austria-based company.

Q.

Why does the Starbucks Card use a barcode instead of a magnetic stripe?

A.

The card features a barcode to allow crystals to be placed across its entire face, which would not be possible with a traditional magnetic stripe.

Reader pulse

Is this a smart premium play?

21,414 votes so far

Weekly Briefing

Asia's retail intelligence, in your inbox

Tuesday, Thursday and a Saturday Weekly Wrap: the retail stories, numbers and moves that mattered across Asia. Nothing else, and you can unsubscribe in one click.

  • Top industry moves and market shifts
  • Weekly data-driven analysis from across Asia
  • Tuesday, Thursday and the Saturday Weekly Wrap

Read by retail operators, investors and brand teams across Asia.

Protected by a quick human check. No spam, ever. Unsubscribe in one click.

SecureGDPR ready