Starbucks' pumpkin spice lattes are back in stores Tuesday — with a price bump due to inflation
- Starbucks' pumpkin spice latte returns to stores on Tuesday with a higher price point.
- CNN reports that a grande-sized PSL will cost 4% more compared to last year.
Colder temps are on the way, which means "PSL" season is coming back. But this year, it will cost customers more than ever.
Starbucks' PSL, or pumpkin spice latte, is set to arrive on menus across America on Tuesday for the 19th-straight year, the company announced. The drink, which has become a fall staple for Starbucks, has become divisive over the years and counts both vocal fans and detractors.
The classic autumn beverage is reportedly not immune to inflationary pressures, either. CNN reports that a grande-sized pumpkin spice latte will cost between $5.45 and $5.95 this year, depending on the store's location. That equates to about a 4% increase compared to last year, CNN says.
Starbucks could not be immediately reached for comment.
While the new price may come as a disappointment to fans of the beverage, it wasn't without warning. Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson told reporters and investors earlier this year that the coffee chain planned to raise prices due to inflation and the labor shortage.
"We have additional pricing actions planned through the balance of this year, which play an important role to mitigate cost pressures," Johnson said in February.
Inflation continues to affect everything from cheeseburgers to airline tickets, though there is evidence that it is easing.