Luckin Coffee is making a bold move by opening its first flagship store focused on premium drinks, directly competing with Starbucks Reserve. This marks a significant shift from its previous strategy of budget coffee kiosks. The new store, located in Shenzhen, offers a variety of high-end beverages and aims to attract coffee enthusiasts looking for unique flavors and experiences.
• The flagship store, named Luckin Coffee Origin, spans two floors and features a modern design.
• Prices for drinks are higher than the usual budget offerings, with options like pour-over and cold brew.
• Customers can select coffee beans from regions such as Brazil, Ethiopia, and Yunnan, aligning with the popular "origin" theme.
• Specialty drinks include unique items like a tiramisu latte, creating buzz on social media with long wait times reported.
This development is significant as it shows Luckin's recovery from past fraud issues and its ambition to capture a larger market share in the premium coffee segment. Competing with Starbucks could reshape the coffee landscape in China, appealing to a wider range of consumers.
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