Luckin Coffee just the tip of Starbucks' China woes
The Straits Times|November 29, 2024
A spin-off or joint venture with a local partner is essential for the iconic American coffee chain's survival.
Shuli Ren
Luckin Coffee just the tip of Starbucks' China woes

As Starbucks' new chief executive officer Brian Niccol engineers a business turnaround, what to do with its operations in China must be on the top of his mind. The American coffee chain is exploring strategic options, including a possible stake sale. China is becoming a drag. The country accounts for less than 10 per cent of revenue, even though nearly 20 per cent of its outlets are located there. In the September quarter, same-store sales tumbled 14 per cent from a year earlier, even worse than the 6 per cent decline in the US.

Much media focus has been on home-grown brand Luckin Coffee, which has staged an amazing comeback after being delisted from the Nasdaq for accounting fraud in 2020. Luckin's 9.90 yuan (S$1.80) coffee is taking away business from Starbucks' basic drinks, just when the Chinese economy is weak and consumers are wary of spending.

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