Monday, September 21 2026

Luckin Coffee's Tom and Jerry collaboration leaked early, Christmas Sweetheart Thick Milk Latte returns next Monday

As Christmas approaches, Luckin Coffee, in addition to launching new holiday products, is also bringing back its former hit Christmas Sweetheart Thick Milk Latte and the Tom and Jerry co-branded limited edition that caused a frenzy in October. However, the news of this return did not come from official sources, but was leaked in advance by netizens on social media, including the launch time of next Monday (December 18) and the designs of the three-piece set of paper bags, cup sleeves, and stickers. The festive Christmas packaging has prompted many consumers to declare they "must grab it," and pre-sale links have already appeared on second-hand platforms. Nevertheless, the frequent co-branded campaigns have also left some netizens feeling weary, complaining that they haven't yet collected all the badges and can't keep up with drinking them all. Meanwhile, netizens suspected to be Luckin employees nervously pleaded for the posts to be deleted, worried that revealing company information in advance would lead to serious consequences. This co-branded campaign that went viral before it was even announced once again demonstrates netizens' "extraordinary" intelligence-gathering abilities. [more…]

Luckin's Demon Slayer collaboration merch falls flat, as set pricing and design spark fan debate

Luckin Coffee recently announced a co-branded collaboration with the popular Japanese anime Demon Slayer, launching a series of themed merchandise, including takeaway cups, paper bags, cup sleeves, stickers, acrylic standees, and fridge magnets. However, after the campaign went live, the merchandise did not sell as well as expected and instead ended up languishing on the shelves. Fans widely reported that the bundle prices were too high, especially the 229-yuan eight-drink bundle, which deterred many people. In addition, some loyal fans pointed out that the merchandise artwork consisted of old images already released by the official brand and lacked novelty. Front Street Coffee noted that the market response to this collaboration stands in sharp contrast to Luckin's previous co-branded campaigns, sparking discussions about brand collaboration strategies and fan consumption psychology. [more…]

Luckin Coffee and Victoria's Secret Cross-Brand Collaboration: Pink Wing Cup Sleeves Spark Heated Discussions Online

Collaborations happen every year, but this year there are especially many. Luckin Coffee recently leaked news of a collaboration with Victoria's Secret, with co-branded paper bags, cup sleeves, and a new osmanthus Longjing latte expected to launch tomorrow. As soon as the spoiler photos of the pink winged cup sleeves were exposed, they triggered polarized reactions from netizens—some bluntly called them "ugly and rejected," while others were drawn in by their good looks. Victoria's Secret's aim with this collaboration is to build hype for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which will return with a revamp next month. As a veteran of collaborations, how Luckin's crossover will perform this time is something to look forward to. [more…]

Luckin Coffee and Yihetang announced collaborations with Dream of the Red Chamber on the same day, the marketing battle behind the brand collision.

After Luckin Coffee faced dissatisfaction over the reduced 9.9 yuan promotion, it launched a cherry blossom season limited edition and a collaboration with the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, but the market response was lukewarm. Subsequently, Luckin officially announced a collaboration with the national dance drama "Dream of the Red Chamber," sparking heated discussions among netizens. Unexpectedly, the tea beverage chain brand Yihe Tang quickly followed up, releasing a poster with an almost identical composition and announcing a collaboration with the original "Dream of the Red Chamber." The two major brands' collaborations clashed, and netizens jokingly referred to it as the rivalry between Bao and Dai. Yihe Tang even interacted in Luckin's comment section using Lin Daiyu's lines, prompting calls for Chayan Yuese. Behind this marketing battle, who ultimately comes out on top? [more…]

Luckin's Cheese Latte collaboration with JOJO breaks first-sale records, as anime IP marketing becomes the new battleground for coffee

Luckin Coffee's Raw Cheese Latte, launched in collaboration with JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean, broke new product first-sale records the moment it hit the market, selling 1.31 million cups in a single day, surpassing 6.59 million cups in total sales within 7 days, and dominating discussions across major social platforms. This coffee, marketed for its cheesy aroma, stands clearly apart from the Raw Coconut Latte and Thick Milk Latte, and has also sparked both celebration and controversy among JoJo fans. From product development to IP selection and the pacing of its marketing rollout, Luckin's collaboration can be considered a textbook example of creating a hit. This article will offer a comprehensive analysis of why this Raw Cheese Latte went viral, from the perspectives of sales data, flavor innovation, fan feedback, and ACG marketing trends. [more…]

Luckin Coffee's Genshin Impact collaboration requires employees to answer quiz questions and memorize characters; baristas have to study up on game knowledge after work.

In early November, Luckin Coffee officially announced on Weibo a collaboration with the popular game IP "Genshin Impact," and the news quickly sparked heated discussions among players. Subsequently, employees took to social platforms to leak details about the collaboration event's timing, characters, and limited-edition drinks. Even more notably, internal assessments included questions related to game characters, causing many non-gaming workers to complain of headaches. Some resorted to rote memorization, others downloaded the game for last-minute cramming, and some questioned whether such content, unrelated to daily operations, was necessary. Players generally believed that familiarizing themselves with the IP in advance could prevent giving out the wrong merchandise and enhance the collaboration experience. Behind this collaboration lies a reflection of the new challenges frontline employees face when chain coffee brands partner with game IPs. [more…]

Luckin Coffee's "Scribble Dog" collaboration set menu pricing anomaly sparks debate: mini-program mispricing or system glitch?

As Typhoon Bebinca made landfall in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, Luckin Coffee's collaboration with Korean illustrator YEYE featuring the "Scribble Puppy" launched as scheduled, drawing a large number of fans who set early alarms to snap up the merchandise. However, many users found that the collaboration package on the mini-program was priced as high as 60 to 70 yuan, far exceeding the previous range of 20-40 yuan, triggering complaints that it was "too expensive." A few hours later, the price of the same package suddenly dropped to just over 30 yuan, prompting consumers who had already placed orders to angrily demand a refund of the price difference. Some employees speculated that the issue was caused by a pricing error when the items were listed. Behind this price controversy, the long-standing problem of frequent system bugs in Luckin's collaboration campaigns has once again surfaced. [more…]

Luckin Coffee's second Honkai: Star Rail collaboration limited packaging materials are out of stock, and fans who cross stores to collect the full set still struggle to get what they want.

Luckin Coffee has launched a second collaboration with Honkai: Star Rail, offering limited-edition merchandise. However, many fans discovered after placing their orders that the limited-edition cups and themed paper bags were severely out of stock. Some received only one of the two, while others got neither, forcing them to piece together orders across multiple stores. For collectors, these limited-edition packaging materials included with orders are part of the collaboration experience, and the insufficient restocking at stores left them quite disappointed. Whether brands should ensure packaging supply in tandem when launching new promotional campaigns has become the core of this controversy. [more…]

Luckin Coffee teams up with Doraemon for a new co-branded launch, with the Iced Coconut Latte arriving at the same time.

Luckin Coffee recently announced a collaboration with the classic anime IP Doraemon, along with the launch of a new beverage, Iced Coconut Latte. This move once again demonstrates Luckin's precise grasp of the preferences of young consumers—by creating hot topics and choosing popular collaboration themes to attract young customers. The article also reviews Luckin's efforts in product innovation and listening to consumer suggestions, and looks ahead to the possibility of a future collaboration with Stitch. For coffee lovers, the flavor performance of this collaboration's new product is worth looking forward to. At the end of the article, Front Street Coffee's professional communication channels are attached for readers to further discuss specialty coffee knowledge. [more…]

Luckin Coffee's Line Puppy collaboration merchandise draws complaints: scratched badges, missing logos, quality control issues spark consumer dissatisfaction

Luckin Coffee's collaboration with Line Friends' dog character officially returned this Monday, bringing back last year's beloved Little White Pear Latte, and fans eagerly placed orders to snap up the co-branded merchandise. However, many consumers discovered upon receiving the actual products that the limited-edition metal badges had issues such as scratches, bubbles, black spots, and even missing logos, while the blind-bag stickers were also complained about being insufficient in quantity. Faced with co-branded merchandise that they had waited a year for yet varied in quality, merch enthusiasts expressed their disappointment one after another, calling on Luckin to strengthen quality control. [more…]

Luckin's collaboration stickers with Zootopia 2 hide a twist—users manually swapping outfits may be behind copyright considerations

Luckin Coffee has teamed up with Disney's Zootopia 2 for a collaboration, launching limited-edition drinks, themed packaging, and merchandise, sparking a buying frenzy among fans. However, the themed stickers in the second wave of merchandise hide a clever design—what appears to be an abrupt black triangle pattern is actually a peel-off Luckin apron sticker. Users can place it over the movie characters to complete a "costume change." This design not only circumvents Disney's strict restrictions on brand logos but also achieves promotional goals through user interaction, jokingly dubbed by netizens as "a perfect combination of copyright awareness and creativity." Front Street Coffee has also taken note of the marketing ingenuity behind this collaboration and will break down the details and fun aspects of this partnership for you. [more…]

Luckin Coffee's collaboration with "Black Myth: Wukong" sparks controversy, with IP gender discrimination backlash becoming the focal point.

Luckin Coffee recently officially announced a co-branding partnership with the domestic single-player game Black Myth: Wukong, with the limited-edition drink Soaring Americano and themed merchandise set to launch soon. The news quickly trended on social media, and players were eagerly anticipating it. However, as the collaboration gained traction, some netizens dug up past sexist remarks made by the game's core creative team, sparking widespread controversy. Some believe that while Luckin's move can ride the momentum of China's first AAA blockbuster, it could also suffer backlash due to the public opinion storm surrounding its partner. Is this collaboration a win-win or a risk? Let's take a closer look. [more…]

Luckin Coffee's collaboration with Coconut Palm goes for a rustic vibe, while Heytea teams up with Hiroshi Fujiwara for a trendy take—which of the two brands better understands young people?

Luckin Coffee's collaboration with Coconut Palm coconut juice successfully broke through with its rustic packaging, while Heytea chose to collaborate with Japanese streetwear godfather Hiroshi Fujiwara for a minimalist, dark aesthetic. Both are cross-industry collaborations—one takes a down-to-earth, rustic route, the other focuses on street fashion—reflecting the two brands' different strategies for competing over young consumers. This article analyzes the packaging design, marketing tactics, and visual color schemes behind these two collaborations, and explores whether Luckin's competitor has shifted from Starbucks to the milk tea circle. For coffee lovers, whether it's rustic or trendy, tasting good is what matters most—Front Street Coffee always selects quality coffee beans for you. [more…]

Luckin Coffee Collaborates with Loopy to Launch Jasmine Light Milk Tea, Sparking Debate Over Its Flavor Similar to Chagee

Luckin Coffee has been making frequent moves recently, inviting Tan Jianci to endorse its instant products while launching an offline collaboration with the cartoon character Loopy. This collaboration introduced the new "Light Jasmine" light milk tea, along with multiple themed cups and merchandise, triggering a buying frenzy among fans. However, many consumers pointed out that the flavor of the new product is highly similar to Chagee's signature product, "Boyazhuxian," and the topic of "flavor clash" quickly fermented on social media. This article sorts out the details of the collaboration event, product differences, and market reactions, and includes recommendations from Front Street Coffee for coffee enthusiasts' reference. [more…]

Luckin Coffee's Genshin Impact collaboration bubble gun cup criticized: 183.5 yuan aluminum cup can't hold hot water, fans call it a beautiful piece of junk

Luckin Coffee's recently launched bubble gun cup, a collaboration with Genshin Impact, has sparked widespread discussion. This merchandise cup, modeled after a game character's signature weapon, generated significant anticipation among players during its promotional phase. However, following its official release, it faced considerable criticism due to material issues. It is reported that the collaborative coffee voucher package was priced at 183.5 yuan and sold out rapidly after launch, but subsequently, some users reported being forced to accept refunds, suggesting possible system vulnerabilities. What further dissatisfied fans was the official specification that the cup body is made of aluminum, with an explicit warning against filling it with beverages exceeding 50°C. Many exclaimed that they had "bought a cold water cup at a high price." Comments also pointed out potential health risks associated with prolonged use of aluminum cups, criticizing them as flashy but impractical. Nevertheless, some netizens noticed that the official promotional video seemed to suggest that this cup is more suitable for use as a pen holder. [more…]

Luckin Coffee's collaboration with JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean on packaging design has sparked heated discussion, with netizens creating their own works to express differing views.

Recently, Luckin Coffee's co-branding campaign with *JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean* sparked widespread discussion among netizens, especially JoJo fans, before its official launch due to an internal "spoiler" of the packaging design. The collaboration, which had been highly anticipated, left some netizens disappointed because the design style fell short of fans' expectations. However, some netizens found the design acceptable and spontaneously created their own fan art, showcasing more popular DIY versions. This article will provide a detailed recap of the incident and present the diverse reactions and creative designs from netizens. [more…]

Luckin Coffee's collaboration merchandise with Genshin Impact is in short supply, leaving fans resorting to digging through trash bins for leftovers, sparking heated discussion.

Luckin Coffee's collaboration with the hit game Genshin Impact sparked a frenzy among players, with limited-edition packaging cups, paper bags, cup sleeves, and other merchandise quickly becoming collector's items. However, midway through the event, many stores had already sold out of the peripherals, leading some fans to resort to rummaging through trash bins for leftovers and even getting into unpleasant encounters with staff. Meanwhile, Luckin employees posted photos of large quantities of unclaimed merchandise, triggering discussions about resource allocation and waste. This article will walk you through the supply-demand conflict over this collaboration's peripherals, the fans' desperate measures, and the stories behind the brand's internal rules. [more…]

Luckin Coffee's Tom and Jerry collaboration cup features a three-eyed Tom—design coincidence or intentional?

Luckin Coffee's annual October collaboration with "Tom and Jerry" has become a regular fixture, and this year is no exception. Two new drinks, "Milk Skin Latte" and "Raw Coconut Mango Pomelo Sago," launched alongside limited-edition merchandise, and stores nationwide switched to Tom and Jerry-themed packaging. However, some customers discovered upon receiving the actual products that the Tom and Jerry printed on the cups actually had three eyes. This abnormal design quickly sparked discussion: was it a printing error, or was it intentional by the brand? Some fans dug up animation screenshots to prove it was a faithful reproduction of exaggerated expressions, while others suspected it was a mistake made by AI design. More critically, the three-eyed design was not the first of its kind—Soap Studio's collaboration with artist Greg Mike and Uniqlo's collaborative T-shirts had both used similar designs. This debate over the cups reflects the subtle tension between artistic expression and public perception in IP collaboration design. [more…]

Luckin's Loopy limited-edition cups get fan remixes, with "accidental collabs" featuring David Tao and JJ Lin unexpectedly boosting sales.

Luckin Coffee has been making frequent moves this week, first collaborating with the top-tier IP Loopy, and then successively announcing celebrity endorsement partnerships with figures like Tan Jianci and Liu Yifei, keeping its popularity steadily climbing. However, what truly set social platforms abuzz was a wave of "secondary creation" spontaneously sparked by music fans—some netizens took the Loopy limited-edition hot drink cups launched last week and used markers to draw slanted bangs or blunt bangs on the little beaver, which unexpectedly made it look like David Tao and JJ Lin, quickly prompting a large number of fans to follow suit and show off their own "limited-edition collaboration cups." This mix-up not only had fans having a great time but also unexpectedly boosted sales of the limited-edition cups at Luckin stores. This article takes you through this amusing event, from misunderstanding to carnival, to see how fans used a single pen to turn coffee cups into "Mandopop collaboration editions." [more…]

Luckin Coconut Latte's third anniversary collaboration with Tengger: why the meme sticker pack sparked polarized reviews

Luckin Coffee's Raw Coconut Latte is celebrating its third anniversary on the market, and the brand has planned a unique co-branding campaign, partnering unexpectedly with the singer Tengger. Rumors have it that the two will release a custom birthday song and limited-edition emoji stickers, which immediately sparked heated discussions among netizens. Some find the pairing too unexpected, exclaiming, "This can be co-branded too?" Others expressed anticipation, saying they would definitely buy once it's available. However, after actual photos of the real-person emoji stickers were exposed, many fans said they found them hard to accept, considering the sticker style too bizarre, and some even planned to refuse the free gifts when placing orders. Whether this collaboration will continue Luckin's streak of viral hits or fall flat remains to be seen. [more…]