At the start of 2025, Luckin Coffee quietly adjusted drink prices at stores in some regions, sparking widespread discussion among consumers. Many netizens noticed that the listed price of the Coconut Latte, originally 29 yuan, rose to 32 yuan even at non-mall stores, while the rules for using cash coupons and the drinks redeemable with group-buy vouchers also changed accordingly. Although most cities remain unaffected, the scope of the 9.9 yuan discount continues to shrink. Luckin officially attributes the price adjustments to factors involving materials, transportation, and commercial districts, with store policies varying from place to place. Does this price fluctuation mean the era of affordable coffee is coming to an end? And how should consumers respond? [more…]

Tea beverage brand Gu Ming recently launched a 9.9 yuan milk tea unlimited drinking promotion, and starting today, it is distributing 500,000 free vouchers at scheduled times through its mini-program, adding momentum to the campaign. However, after a large number of consumers entered the activity page right at 12 o'clock, they encountered long periods of blank screens and crashes in the mini-program, and related topics once topped the trending searches. According to user feedback, the mini-program had already begun lagging a few minutes before the event started, and after 12 o'clock the server went down for nearly half an hour due to a sudden influx of a large number of requests; even repeatedly refreshing or switching to the computer version made it difficult to load. This is not the first time Gu Ming's mini-program has had problems during popular activities. Long-time users said that previous limited-time activities such as buy-one-get-one-free also often encountered interface crashes, and although they reported poor experiences many times, no obvious improvement was seen. [more…]

Last year, the price war between Luckin Coffee and Cotti Coffee let consumers enjoy the benefits, and 9.9 yuan coffee became many people's first impression of Luckin. However, recently some users have noticed that the usage rules for the 9.9 yuan discount coupons in the Luckin app have quietly changed, shrinking from covering most drinks to being limited to only a few designated items, and the selectable range varies by store. This adjustment has sparked dissatisfaction among many Luckin fans, with some saying outright that they had been "stabbed in the back," and even switching to Cotti's 8.8 yuan camp. At the same time, some views hold that Luckin's move is a normal shift in marketing strategy, and the brand no longer needs to remain mired in a price war. This article will sort through the whole incident and the voices from all sides, and retain the related recommendations from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

In recent years, the price war in the coffee market has intensified. While brands use prices as low as 9.9 yuan or even lower to attract new customers, they also allow various money-saving guides to circulate freely on social platforms. However, a media investigation found that Luckin Coffee offers vastly different prices to users based on their consumption frequency—high-frequency consumers actually end up paying more. This article sorts out the common channels for money-saving guides, the phenomenon of Luckin's low-price coupons on platforms like Douyin, and a detailed month-long process in which reporters used multiple phones to test pricing differences in the Luckin mini-program, revealing the opacity of the system's recommended discount plans. For coffee lovers, understanding these pricing tricks may help you save a considerable amount of money. [more…]

Luckin Coffee has broken records in the chain coffee industry at an astonishing speed, adding 10,000 net new stores within a year, bringing its total store count close to 20,000, with an expansion pace even surpassing Mixue Bingcheng. However, alongside this runaway scale, problems have followed one after another: a swing from profit to loss in the first quarter, a decline in net profit margin in the second quarter, and a year-on-year drop in same-store sales at directly operated stores. The 9.9 yuan promotional campaign has lowered the average transaction value, making it a real challenge to increase revenue without increasing profit. Facing a price war with rivals such as Cotti and Starbucks, how Luckin balances scale and profitability will be a key proposition for its future operations. [more…]

Recently, news has circulated on social media that Luckin Coffee's 9.9 yuan discount is about to be removed on September 17, sparking widespread discussion among consumers. Since the celebration of ten thousand stores, 9.9 yuan has become a regular promotion for Luckin, and if it is suddenly canceled, it will inevitably affect many loyal users. At the same time, Cotti Coffee once countered with 9.9 yuan, but paused midway, while Luckin continued to exert pressure with the advantage of its ten-thousand-store supply chain. Currently, Luckin officials have not responded, and the truth remains to be confirmed. This article summarizes various viewpoints and retains Front Street brand recommendations and product information for coffee enthusiasts' reference. [more…]

Starbucks recently launched the "Star Student Card" for domestic college students, offering free card activation upon identity verification. Students who spend at least 30 yuan in a single in-store purchase can receive a free coupon for a medium Americano valid for 3 hours, 30 minutes later, along with drink discounts. However, there are quite a few restrictions in the fine print: only one free refill coupon per month, and it must be used within 3 hours by drinking two cups consecutively. Additionally, with Starbucks covering only 15.53% of areas around universities, and affordable brands like Luckin, Cotti, Lucky Cup, and Manner being more cost-effective, whether this student card can truly retain student customers remains to be seen. Front Street Coffee is also continuously monitoring this development. [more…]

Chain coffee brands typically rely on well-developed membership mechanisms to boost user loyalty, maintaining emotional connections with customers through occasional perks and birthday surprises. However, a recent announcement from Peet's Coffee about changes to membership benefits has drawn attention: starting April 29, the birthday cake slice voucher for V2 members will be canceled, and the half-price drink voucher in the upgrade gift for lower-tier members will be adjusted to a 30% discount voucher. This means V5 members and below who have spent less than 1,000 yuan will no longer enjoy the birthday cake perk, leaving many loyal customers caught off guard. The brand's move may be aimed at curbing freebie hunters, but it could also drive away some long-term supporters. [more…]

Starbucks has recently launched a 12.8 yuan discount annual card, allowing customers to enjoy medium-sized drinks for as low as 25 yuan, sparking speculation about a coffee price war. In fact, since 2021, Starbucks has been successively offering discounted annual benefit cards for 9.9 yuan on major lifestyle service platforms, with various discount forms, including 20% off and a flat rate of 25.9 yuan. In addition to annual cards, Starbucks is also quietly distributing coupons in livestreams. Why not simply lower prices? Because coupons can continuously stimulate consumption, attract consumers from different sectors, and pave the way for expansion into lower-tier markets. This strategy both maintains the brand image and makes Starbucks appear more approachable. Although domestic chain coffee brands are increasing, Starbucks still attracts many consumers with its social spaces and brand style. This article was compiled by Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee), bringing you insights into Starbucks' pricing strategy and market trends. [more…]

A super value 5-time card launched on Luckin Coffee's Tmall flagship store quickly triggered a buying frenzy because it was priced as low as 13.77 yuan for any 5 cups chosen from 15 classic drinks. However, in the early hours of the next day, many consumers had their orders forcibly refunded by the platform on the grounds of "no longer wanted" without any refund operation on their part, and some, although shown as shipped, did not receive the electronic vouchers. Luckin later explained that a system configuration error had triggered automatic refunds and offered a 32-yuan drink voucher as compensation. But some consumers were not convinced, believing that the brand's unilateral cancellation of the contract amounted to a breach of contract or even fraud, and have filed lawsuits in court demanding reasonable compensation. The incident exposed the performance risks in the sale of electronic discount vouchers and the issue of consumer rights protection. [more…]

Recently, a "Notice on Store Pricing Strategy and Promotion Adjustments" for Cotti Coffee circulating on social media has drawn widespread attention. The notice shows that Cotti will end its "9.9 yuan unlimited across the board" promotion at 24:00 on January 31, and switch to a special-offer section model starting February 1, with only some products continuing at 9.9 yuan unlimited, while other non-discounted products will be sold at retail prices. New-store first-month promotions and refer-a-friend rewards will also be adjusted accordingly. As the brand that kicked off the 9.9 yuan price war in February 2023, does this move by Cotti signal a turning point for China's coffee price war? Consumers, franchisees, and industry observers are all watching closely. [more…]

On Christmas Eve, Luckin Coffee's red apple daifuku became a holiday hit thanks to its cute shape, but it also unexpectedly triggered a conflict between stores and consumers. Third-party platforms continued to sell electronic vouchers, while many stores had long sold out and could not restock, causing a large number of customers to fail when redeeming their vouchers; some consumers ran to eight stores and still came away with nothing. Store staff became the ones facing the anger directly, and were even scolded by customers and complained about to the 12315 platform. In this storm caused by product supply and promotion being out of sync, who should be responsible? And how should consumers deal with the electronic vouchers in their hands? This article restores the full picture of the incident for you. [more…]

Luckin Coffee recently launched its final co-branding campaign of 2024, teaming up with Chu's Agriculture to introduce an improved version of the Chu Orange Latte and a series of merchandise, with a "New Joy Orange Scratch Card" included in designated bundles. The prizes are quite generous, including 500 vouchers for 99 free coffees, 2,000 vouchers for 66 free coffees, and 100,000 vouchers for 1 free coffee, while those who don't win can still receive a 48% off drink coupon. However, many consumers discovered that simply holding the unscratched back of the card up to a phone flashlight allows faint text beneath the coating to be seen through the light, revealing the prize without scratching it off. This discovery sparked widespread discussion about the fairness of the campaign, with some users worried that store employees might use this method to pick out the big prizes in advance, though Luckin employees came forward to deny such speculation. Front Street Coffee continues to follow developments in the coffee industry and brings you the latest news. [more…]

In 2023, Luckin Coffee achieved a historic breakthrough in sales through its co-branded collaboration with Moutai and its sustained low-price strategy, officially surpassing Starbucks China to become the largest coffee chain brand in China. However, with the scaling back of its 9.9 yuan promotional campaign and a slowdown in store expansion, Luckin's future growth faces new challenges. This article reviews Luckin's path to a comeback, analyzes the key factors behind its success, and explores the profit pressures and market strategy adjustments it currently faces. [more…]

Mstand, a chain coffee brand, recently suddenly cancelled its long-term promotion where members who bought 10 cups could exchange them for 1 free cup, without any prior announcement, and forcibly converted users' accumulated points into credits. After the adjustment, these credits can no longer be redeemed for free drink vouchers and can only be exchanged for discount vouchers with limited value, triggering widespread dissatisfaction among many long-time users. Some customers were just 1 cup away from redeeming a free coffee but found the promotion had been taken down; users with thousands of accumulated points in their accounts even said outright that the points had become "useless." In fact, Mstand has repeatedly cut member benefits in recent years, and this adjustment without warning has been criticized for harming the rights and interests of too many users. This article reviews the course of the incident, user reactions, and the changing trajectory of the brand's membership system. [more…]

A new round of subsidy battles on delivery platforms has once again ignited the tea beverage market, with Meituan handing out large numbers of tea drink vouchers, while Ele.me and Taobao Flash Sale fight back with hefty discounts. However, after claiming the vouchers, many consumers found that Goodme stores in Shenzhen, Xi'an, Chengdu, Nanning, and other places showed as "resting/closed" or out of stock on third-party platforms, making it impossible to redeem normally. Interestingly, the same stores were still open on the official mini-program, and products included in the promotion, such as lemonade, could still be ordered. The contradiction between stores actually being overwhelmed with orders and appearing "closed" online has led many to speculate that this is a measure taken by the brand to ease order pressure. Consumers have expressed dissatisfaction over the chaotic promotion, orders being automatically canceled, and no stock upon arrival at stores. Front Street Coffee continues to follow industry developments and brings in-depth observations. [more…]

The arrival of the Start of Autumn solar term has once again sparked a consumer frenzy with the annual "first cup of milk tea in autumn" promotion. This year, driven by large-scale distribution of tea voucher and discount coupons on platforms such as Meituan, Ele.me, and JD.com, combined with brands' own promotions, order volumes have far exceeded previous years. However, behind the order surge is extreme pressure on store operations: receipt piles are mountainous, rider capacity is severely insufficient, delivery delays and wrong drink deliveries occur frequently, and customer complaints have surged. To ease the pressure, some stores of brands such as Starbucks, Luckin Coffee, Heytea, and Chagee have had to temporarily close or shut down delivery channels, leaving consumers unable to use the coupons they hold. This annual carnival, while bringing huge challenges to workers, has also exposed the fragility of the instant delivery system under extreme peaks. [more…]

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style) For more specialty coffee beans, please add the personal WeChat of Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee), WeChat ID: qjcoffeex Recently, Luckin Coffee has been thrust into the spotlight over price discrepancies for its cheese latte. Some consumers reported that the same drink was priced vastly differently across accounts, ranging from 9.9 yuan to 18 yuan, sparking allegations of "big data price discrimination against existing customers." Luckin officially responded that the price differences stem from store operating costs and randomly issued system discounts, denying any price discrimination. However, this is not the first time Luckin has fallen into such controversy; as early as 2021, the media exposed similar cases. This article will sort through the course of the incident, the views of various parties, and the industry background, to explore the issue of price fairness in online consumption. [more…]

Competition among food delivery platforms has escalated into a battle of three giants, chain brands' average order values continue to decline, and Luckin's timely launch of low-priced bread vouchers has triggered a frenzy of stockpiling among consumers. However, when users take their electronic vouchers to stores for redemption, they find that baked goods at nearby stores are largely sold out, with some cities even reporting no stock citywide. This buying spree, fueled by platform subsidies, not only reflects consumers' strong demand for high-value-for-money coffee companions but also exposes brands' disconnect between demand forecasting and supply chain response. Staff explained that the thawing process and delivery cycle are the two main reasons for the redemption difficulties. For enthusiasts who love pairing coffee with baked goods, Front Street Coffee has always advocated balancing rational consumption with quality experience, and suggests paying attention to store inventory dynamics and arranging redemption times reasonably. [more…]

Luckin Coffee and Cotti Coffee's price game has a new trick. After seven consecutive months of 9.9 yuan promotions, Cotti raised prices across the board on April 1, and Luckin immediately responded by launching 9.9 yuan coupons under the banner of a "store anniversary," running from April 15 to April 30. Interestingly, this anniversary celebration is not celebrating the opening of Luckin's own stores, but targeting new Cotti stores opened next to Luckin locations. When Cotti ended the low-price war, Luckin precisely targeted coupons in surrounding areas to capture traffic with low prices. Internal sources say the campaign may continue until the end of 2024. This article will sort out the timeline of events, the coupon usage rules, and the strategy behind them, while also recommending Front Street Coffee's specialty bean information for coffee lovers. [more…]