Starbucks in China: Will it lose the battle against Luckin Coffee?
Starbucks’s history began in 1971 with its first store opened in Seattle. Since then, the chain has continuously developed and, as of 2023, it has over 32,000 stores in 80 countries. In China, it opened its first store in Beijing, which was also the first ever foreign coffee shop to enter China. It grew so popular that, […]
China’s nighttime economy after 996: Work hard (and play hard?)
China’s nighttime economy is booming as young professionals seek solace and leisure after their demanding “996” work schedules (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week). With limited free time in the day, nights have become a vital outlet for stress relief and emotional balance. According to the 2023 China Night Economy Development Report […]
Tripling sales and halving prices: China’s samples market revolutionizing purchases
Product samples have increasingly influenced full-size purchases in recent years, reshaping the Chinese B2C market. The astonishing popularity of sample-sized products has given rise to a thriving samples economy in China which has not seen similar growth in the West. Chinese consumers are increasingly embracing sample-sized shopping, leading to a shift from samples being purely promotional to […]
China’s samples economy report
Product samples are incredibly popular in China, driving the growth of a unique economy that hasn’t seen the same rise in the West due to specific economic factors and consumer preferences. In China, product samples are evolving from a promotional tactic to a packaging option, as consumers are increasingly willing to buy sample-sized products. This […]
Meal kits in China: catering to modern lifestyles with convenience and culinary variety
The surge of meal kits in China finds its roots in the upheaval brought about by the pandemic, which reshaped consumer habits and preferences. As restrictions made it inconvenient for people to dine out, a burgeoning trend of purchasing pre-cooked meal kits emerged, offering a convenient and safer alternative. Ready-to-eat meal kits swiftly gained popularity […]
“ChaPanda dips over 10% on the first day after its IPO”: Trending hashtag on Chinese social media
ChaPanda (茶百道) made its debut on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on April 23rd, earning the title of “the second stock of new tea beverages (新茶饮第二股)” after Naixue, and emerging as a major player in China’s freshly-made tea beverage market by 2023. However, ChaPanda’s stock faced a 10.06% drop on its first day, signaling the intense competition […]
The restaurant market in China: adapting to evolving consumer tastes and technologies
The restaurant market in China has witnessed a significant rebound following the pandemic. In 2023, the Chinese food service market reached RMB 5.2 trillion (USD 717.6 billion), marking a 20.6% year-on-year increase, and essentially returning the market scale of the catering industry to pre-pandemic levels. In the near future, the growth rate of the catering […]
From larou to jamón: China’s cured meat market amid domestic dominance and global allure
Created as a way to prevent decomposition and facilitate the transportation of food, the cured meat market in China preserves an age-old tradition. In 2023, it reached a revenue of more than RMB 61 billion (USD 8.4 billion) and is expected to have a year-on-year increase of 8% by 2024. Cured meats are more than […]
China’s food & beverage industry white paper
The shifting dynamics of Chinese dietary habits reflect a complex blend of socio-economic and cultural influences. With rising prosperity and heightened health awareness, consumers are increasingly valuing quality and freshness in their food choices, driving a trend toward premiumization. This shift extends to beverages, where the burgeoning popularity of healthier options and the coffee craze […]
COTTI COFFEE: From rapid rise to operational backlash
The coffee industry in China has experienced rapid expansion in recent years, with over 50,000 new stores opening annually. While Luckin Coffee currently holds a dominant position in the market, the emergence of new players like COTTI COFFEE (库迪咖啡) is expected to intensify competition and challenge its supremacy. Download our report on Gen Z consumers […]
Brewing a remarkable resurgence: Luckin Coffee’s tale of innovation and redemption
In the hyper-competitive Chinese coffee market, few stories are as gripping as that of Luckin Coffee (瑞幸咖啡). Once embroiled in a scandal that led to its expulsion from Wall Street in 2020, Luckin Coffee has not just clawed back to its former glory but has also eclipsed some of the industry giants. As of early […]
Yum China’s weaving success through digitalization, localization, and CSR
Yum China holds a pivotal position in China’s F&B industry, being a key player with a diverse portfolio of well-established brands. The company, formerly known as Yum! Brands China Division, became independently listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2016, under the ticker symbol YUMC, with its headquarters in Shanghai. As of February 8, […]