Starbucks, Luckin Coffee struggle in China as upstart ignites price war

Cotti's $1.40-a-cup promotion adds deflationary pressure to industry

20240529N Cotti Coffee

Cotti Coffee keeps costs down in part by operating small stores. (Photo by Itsuro Fujino)

ITSURO FUJINO, Nikkei staff writer

GUANGZHOU -- Downward pressure on prices is building in China's coffeehouse market, where Cotti Coffee is selling most of its beverages for less than 10 yuan (about $1.40) a cup and industry giant Luckin Coffee is hammering out a strategy to fight back.

"Get delicious coffee for 9.9 yuan," said a promotional sign at a Cotti location in a Guangzhou business district in late May. Since 2023, different products have been offered at that price for a limited time.

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