How does the Luckin coffee iced shaken launch compare?

Luckin Coffee introduced two limited-edition iced drinks in Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Guangzhou menus list them as Coconut Shakerato and Vanilla Shakerato, while Shenzhen stores call the same drinks Coconut Ice-Shaken Espresso and Vanilla Ice-Shaken Espresso. The naming and preparation echo Starbucks' Iced Shaken Espresso line, but pricing sits far lower.

Starbucks launched its Iced Shaken Espresso series two summers ago, and it became a permanent menu item, later adding flavors such as salted caramel and caramel popcorn. Luckin's versions match closely in method and positioning, and the limited release has consumers in other cities asking for a nationwide rollout. The espresso coffee ingredients and shake method are central to both.

Recently, Luckin Coffee took the lead in launching two limited-edition iced drinks in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, bringing local consumers a new way to beat the heat. However, the naming of the new products sparked widespread discussion: the Guangzhou versions are called "Coconut Shakerato" and "Vanilla Shakerato," while the Shenzhen versions are simply called "Coconut Ice-Shaken Espresso" and "Vanilla Ice-Shaken Espresso." This inevitably brings to mind the "Iced Shaken Espresso series" on Starbucks' menu. The two are quite similar in preparation method and product positioning, yet their prices differ dramatically. Is Luckin's new launch trying to keep up with Starbucks? And how do consumers view this affordable alternative? This article will provide a detailed analysis for you.

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Recently, Luckin launched two limited-edition iced drinks in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, allowing consumers in the two cities, who are suffering under the scorching heat, to be the first to taste refreshing beverages and dispel the intense summer heat. This move also made fans in other regions envious, who have been calling on Luckin to roll them out nationwide as soon as possible.

After the limited-edition items went on sale, netizens were surprised to find that the Luckin mini-programs in Guangzhou and Shenzhen used different names for the new products: the Guangzhou versions are called "Coconut Shakerato" and "Vanilla Shakerato," while the Shenzhen versions are called "Coconut Ice-Shaken Espresso" and "Vanilla Ice-Shaken Espresso." Judging from the official promotional posters, aside from the different names, they should be the same product.

However, when many consumers heard the names of the new products, they immediately thought of the "Iced Shaken Espresso series" on Starbucks' menu.

Two summers ago, Starbucks launched its Iced Shaken Espresso series, which quickly won the love of loyal customers after hitting the market and became a permanent item on the menu. Over the past two years, in addition to the classic vanilla and salted caramel flavors, the series has also introduced new flavors such as caramel popcorn, attracting fans to place orders and try them out.

The two new products Luckin launched this time not only clash with Starbucks in name, but are also extremely similar in how the drinks are made. Netizens who purchased the drinks reported that they saw Luckin employees in stores vigorously shaking a shaker cup containing espresso, and that the entire production process as well as the final product were almost exactly the same as Starbucks' Iced Shaken Espresso series.

Still, there are some differences between the two. Luckin's Coconut Ice-Shaken Espresso is very different from Starbucks' drink in terms of ingredients: what is added is not oat milk, but coconut milk.

Another notable difference is the price that the public cares about most. According to consumers in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, the market price of Luckin's Ice-Shaken Espresso drinks is 17 yuan, and with discounts stacked on top, the lowest can reach 9.9 yuan.

Compared with Starbucks' Iced Shaken Espresso series, which averages 37 yuan, Luckin's new products can be described as a cheap and good-quality alternative. In the eyes of many netizens, this product is extremely cost-effective, and they commented one after another: "Now this really is keeping up with Starbucks," "PDD version coffee," "Thank you Luckin for letting me drink the Starbucks equivalent."

In addition, some netizens noticed that Luckin's recent new products more or less show traces of Starbucks.

Previously, Luckin's Light Coffee series seemed to some people similar to Starbucks' Refreshers series; the Marble Americano, which netizens mocked for its "egg drop soup appearance," was identical to Starbucks' secret drinking method of "all-ice Americano + light cream"; and now, with the identically named Ice-Shaken Espresso product, netizens could not help but speculate whether Luckin's R&D department has recently been obsessed with making "Starbucks equivalents."

Some people also believe that coffee drinks with overlapping ideas are not uncommon on the market, and that Luckin launching a "Starbucks affordable version" is also a good thing for consumers at large, giving customers who like drinks such as Ice-Shaken Espresso one more choice. It may even spur competition among chain brands, give rise to more differentiated products, and bring customers new surprises.

Image source: Internet

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