Coffee retail market hots up

Brewing competition: Customers buy coffee at a Luckin Coffee outlet in Shanghai. China’s cafe culture landscape has changed markedly, with Luckin serving up a serious challenge to Starbucks. — China Daily

CHINA is one of the world’s most competitive markets. Companies and entrepreneurs might argue it is only for the most battle-hardened, because any profitable business idea tends to see competitors spring up very quickly.

This is what makes the unbridled success of American coffee shop chain Starbucks all the more puzzling. Since opening its first China outlet in January 1999, there has been no significant rival to Starbucks, allowing the Seattle-based company a clear run at capturing the market.