BCE's Starbucks Watch

Starbucks To Introduce Ready-To-Drink Iced Coffee Drink

DES MOINES, Iowa (Dow Jones)-- Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) said Wednesday it will introduce a canned iced coffee into the U.S. market late next month. The ready-to-drink beverage is a result of a joint venture between the specialty coffee retailing giant and Pepsi-Cola Co. News of the product came during Starbucks' annual meeting, in Seattle. A press release said the canned coffee, which will be sold in refrigerated cases, will first appear in Starbucks-operated retail stores. Grocery and convenience stores will be stocked with the item starting in May. The cold drink will be made from Italian roast coffee, with "just a touch of milk and sweetness," the company said. It will come in a regular and light versions. Starbucks' announcement didn't disclose a suggested retail price.