Food & BeverageStarbucks, Luckin Coffee struggle in China as upstart ignites price war
Cotti's $1.40-a-cup promotion adds deflationary pressure to industry
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.