Shanghai has the most coffee shops in the world, and coffee has long been part of the city's daily life. Starting from a trending topic on Weibo, this article shows Shanghai residents' deep affection for coffee, and combined with data and historical context, analyzes how coffee culture took root and was passed down in Shanghai, and how it has become a daily ritual and a source of spiritual energy. At the same time, it also brings in professional coffee information and related information about Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Starbucks China store count exceeds 6,000, with Shanghai becoming the world's first city to have 1,000 Starbucks stores. The 6,000th store is located at Lippo Plaza on Huaihai Road in Shanghai, positioned as a green store, and has partnered with IP SHANGHAI to launch a city-exclusive beverage called "Shanghai Coffee." At the same time, Starbucks announced its "2025 China Strategic Vision," planning to add 3,000 stores over three years, bringing the total to 9,000. In the face of competition from brands like Luckin and Manner and the trend of price downtrading, whether Starbucks can defend its market position is worth watching. [more…]

Recently, Luckin Coffee has sparked widespread controversy due to a shortage of staff in its stores caused by reforms to its employment system, while simultaneously rejecting local job applicants in Shanghai during recruitment. A Shanghai netizen applied for a part-time barista position but was directly turned down because their ID number began with '310', with the reason given being 'currently Luckin in Shanghai does not accept locals'. This incident reflects companies' stereotypes about local job seekers—such as being 'unable to endure hardship' and 'demanding social insurance'—and also touches on practical considerations like high social insurance contribution bases and labor cost control. Against the backdrop of a simultaneous labor shortage and employment difficulties, is Luckin's recruitment strategy reasonable? And how should the rights and interests of local job seekers be safeguarded? This article will delve into the multiple factors behind this phenomenon. [more…]

For a long time in the past, Shanghai was regarded as the city with the highest coffee density in China. However, the nearly three-month suspension of dine-in services dealt a heavy blow to Shanghai's catering industry, and coffee brands began to turn their attention to Chengdu. Data shows that Chengdu now has more than 7,000 coffee shops, ranking second nationwide, with independent coffee shops accounting for as much as 81.07%, far exceeding Shanghai's 57.01%. Luxury brands have also chosen to open coffee shops in Chengdu one after another, including LV, Cartier, Ralph's Bar, and Maison Margiela Café. Wangping Street, Mengzhuiwan, and Tangpa Street in Chengdu have become popular coffee districts, where teahouse culture and coffee consumption blend together. This article will analyze the data and trends behind this round of changes in the coffee city landscape. [more…]

During the 2024 Mid-Autumn Festival, Typhoon Bebinca, the strongest typhoon to make landfall in Shanghai in 75 years, struck head-on, putting the entire city on high alert. Yet as soon as the wind and rain let up, Shanghai residents couldn't wait to step outside and head for coffee shops. Whether independent cafés or chains like Manner, Luckin, Mstand, and Starbucks, long lines quickly formed. This article captures the scenes at Shanghai's street-side coffee shops after the typhoon, showcasing the city's deep-seated love for coffee. [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 Starbucks has opened Shanghai's first intangible cultural heritage concept store in Shenyu Li at the Suhewan Mixc World in Jing'an, Shanghai, which began trial operation on September 30. This store combines Yunnan ethnic minority craftsmanship with the design concept of Shanghai qipao, creating a unique venue that serves both as a third place and as an intangible cultural heritage art exhibition space. The store offers Reserve Yunnan coffee beans and incorporates interactive experiences such as siphon coffee brewing. This move continues Starbucks' public welfare trajectory since the "Rural Mothers Acceleration Plan" in 2020 and also echoes the current trend of guochao consumption. [more…]

Recently, Changsha tea beverage brand Chayan Yuese has attracted widespread attention due to the establishment of a branch company in Shanghai and the release of recruitment information in Shenzhen. There has been much speculation from the outside about whether it will enter the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets, but the brand responded that the new Shanghai company is only a creative studio and there are currently no plans to open stores. However, the focus of netizens' discussion has fallen on Chayan Yuese's signature queuing and verification mechanism—many people believe that this model is difficult to adapt to the fast-paced consumption habits of Shanghai and Shenzhen, and that if it insists on its original rules, it may be difficult to gain a foothold. At the same time, Heytea, Chagee, and local brand Tea Li Yishi have already occupied the local market. If Chayan Yuese enters at this time, the competitive pressure cannot be underestimated. This article will sort out the ins and outs of the incident and the views of all parties. (Compiled by Front Street Coffee) [more…]

Shanghai, a city deeply steeped in coffee culture, is refreshing the global record for the number of coffee shops at an astonishing pace. As of June 2022, the city had 7,857 coffee shops, not only firmly ranking first in China in terms of quantity, but also surpassing international metropolises such as New York, London, and Tokyo to become the city with the most coffee shops in the world. Yet behind this numerical growth lie both the rapid expansion of specialty coffee brands fueled by capital and the reality of small shops struggling to survive under the impact of the pandemic. From 867 new additions in 2021, to a slowdown in the pace of openings in the first half of 2022, and then to the industry regaining momentum in the second half, what kind of resilience and challenges has Shanghai's coffee market shown? This article will combine the latest data and industry cases to analyze the driving forces and hidden concerns behind the counter-trend growth of Shanghai's coffee industry. [more…]

Starbucks China opened its 6,000th store in mainland China at Lippo Plaza on Huaihai Road in Shanghai, making Shanghai the first city in the world to have over 1,000 Starbucks stores. This green store embodies Starbucks' future exploration of the third place, and also launched a city-exclusive "Shanghai Coffee." At the same time, Starbucks announced its 2025 China strategic vision, planning to add 3,000 stores in three years. Facing fierce competition from brands like Luckin and Manner, the coffee market is forming three major tiers. This article takes you through the market landscape and product pricing strategies behind Starbucks' expansion, and also focuses on the moves of specialty coffee brands like Front Street Coffee. [more…]

A tea beverage and gaming collaboration that was originally highly anticipated came to an abrupt halt on the day of its official announcement. On December 14, Light and Night announced a co-branded new product with Auntea Jenny, but employees at some stores were exposed for insulting players and game characters. Related topics quickly topped the hot search list, with views exceeding 450 million. Just three hours later, the game developer urgently stated that the collaboration was terminated, which netizens jokingly called "the shortest collaboration in history." Auntea Jenny subsequently apologized and fired the employees involved, but players were not appeased. This incident not only exposed the brand's loopholes in franchise management, but also sounded a warning bell for cross-industry collaborations. [more…]

As Shanghai resumes work and production, people are returning to coffee shops to enjoy the long-awaited coffee time. However, an internet-famous shop called "WHEN PIGS FLY," which was once ranked first among popular coffee shops in Shanghai, has been investigated for using expired food ingredients. On May 25, the Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation reported that the shop was investigated and dealt with by the Changning District Administration for Market Regulation for using pasteurized egg white liquid that had passed its shelf life to make cake roll bases. Four used egg white liquid boxes were found at the scene, one of which was expired for more than 20 days, and 24 semi-finished products had been processed. The incident sparked heated discussions among netizens, with some surprised, some worried, and others calling for heavy penalties. Food safety has once again become a bottom line that cannot be ignored in the coffee industry. [more…]

On June 1, Shanghai reached an important milestone in fully restoring normal production and daily life. After more than two months of home quarantine, coffee lovers finally smelled the aroma of coffee wafting through the streets and alleys once again. From chain brands to independent shops, coffee stores reopened one after another, with takeout and self-pickup orders surging—some shop owners even sold over a hundred cups of coffee to passersby while the shutter was only half open as they were adjusting equipment. This article documents the real scenes of the coffee industry's recovery before and after Shanghai's lockdown was lifted, and citizens' eager anticipation for a freshly ground cup of coffee. [more…]

In the early hours of May 17, 2021, residents in several districts of Shanghai reported on Weibo that a rich coffee aroma was drifting through the air. Some thought a neighbor was brewing coffee, while others suspected a family member was secretly drinking coffee late at night. This mysterious scent smelled like instant coffee, mixed with burnt and sesame oil notes. Subsequently, rumors spread online that a flavoring factory in Minhang District had experienced a gas leak, with speculation that the leaked substance was furfuryl mercaptan. Shanghai's fire and ecological environment departments responded that they had not received any reports of related accidents and had launched an investigation, but no abnormalities were found at the scene, and the source is still under verification. As a "city of coffee" with nearly 8,000 coffee shops, Shanghai's real-life coffee aroma diffusion incident has sparked widespread attention. [more…]

As of June 2022, Shanghai ranked first among global cities with 7,857 coffee shops, of which independent outlets accounted for more than 60 percent. Behind this figure lies both a coffee-drinking tradition spanning more than a century and the meticulous efforts of contemporary owner-operators in refining style, products, and personalized experiences. This article analyzes, from the two dimensions of historical context and business strategy, how Shanghai's independent coffee shops continue to grow in the cracks between chain brands, and explores how owner-operators, spatial style, and product distinctiveness constitute the core competitiveness of independent coffee shops. [more…]

Following the buzz generated by China Post opening a milk tea shop, Shanghai has now seen its first post office selling coffee. On September 17, the Tianping Road Post Office at 1883 Middle Huaihai Road was transformed into the Wukang Building-themed post office. While retaining its original postal services, it has introduced a café, a photo-op area, and a cultural and creative display zone, in collaboration with Qiao Coffee under the century-old Shanghai time-honored brand Qiaojiashan. Is the coffee at this post office actually good? Why does China Post frequently cross into the beverage sector? This article will analyze the details of the store renovation, the background of the partner brand, and the history of China Post's cross-industry ventures, and explore the underlying logic of time-honored brands seeking rejuvenation. [more…]

Recently, a coffee machine labeled "Consumption Poverty Alleviation Cabinet" appeared in an office building cafeteria in Shanghai, with drinks priced as low as under 4 yuan, and two lattes even priced at 0 yuan. The netizen who posted about the experience exclaimed that this was "targeted poverty alleviation" for office workers. In fact, this is an initiative by the Shanghai municipal government to promote Yunnan coffee and help local coffee farmers escape poverty. Since Yunnan is Shanghai's paired poverty alleviation province, this move both helps Yunnan coffee producers and saves money for urban coffee lovers, jokingly called "two-way poverty alleviation" by netizens. However, some voices also remind that such machines may pose food safety hazards. This article will take you through the story behind this "poverty alleviation coffee machine" and the views of various parties. [more…]

Blue Bottle Coffee has announced that it will host a Blue Bottle Studio coffee tasting experience event in Shanghai, marking the first time this event has entered mainland China. Blue Bottle Studio was founded by Blue Bottle Coffee founder James Freeman and adopts an omakase style; it has previously been held four times in places such as Kyoto, Hong Kong, and Los Angeles. The Shanghai stop will take place from May 7 to 12, with a total of 18 sessions, each with only 4 seats, priced at 780 yuan per person, offering 8 coffee beverages and 2 pastries for tasting. The promotional poster mentions that founder James Freeman and Global Head of Innovation and R&D Benjamin Brewer will make their first visit to Shanghai, sparking a rush of bookings among fans. However, the official side has not yet made a formal statement, and some netizens said they had received telephone confirmation that the two will not attend, with service on site provided by Blue Bottle China's barista team. [more…]

Recently, Miracle Coffee, the coffee brand founded by JJ Lin, opened a flagship store at Shanghai Lakeside Plaza, drawing long queues of fans. This marks the brand's return to Shanghai after two years, following its 2019 pop-up store. The store has imposed purchase limits, but order processing speed is limited, and consumers still have to wait several hours. In recent years, Miracle Coffee has accelerated the rollout of permanent stores in multiple Chinese cities and is rumored to be entering more cities. Front Street Coffee will continue to follow developments in the specialty coffee market and bring coffee lovers more brand news. [more…]

Shanghai implemented community lockdowns starting in mid-March, catching coffee lovers off guard. A Weibo trending topic titled "I want to buy coffee" garnered over 340 million views, reflecting the close connection between coffee and daily life. However, café owners are facing the dilemma of suspended dine-in services and sharply declining revenues, with some small shops even considering transferring their businesses after the lockdown lifts. Meanwhile, coffee bean roasters are adjusting their supply chains due to stalled warehouses in Shanghai, and green bean traders are setting up temporary warehouses in other cities. This article will delve into the impact of the lockdown on the coffee industry chain, and how small shops can find a way out under the pressure of rising prices and capital chain strains, including strategies like shifting to drip bag coffee and online sales, while also paying attention to the developments of brands such as Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Shanghai Mental Health Center has once again drawn attention by using coffee as a medium. This time, its co-branded coffee "Music + Spirit," launched in collaboration with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, quickly sold out after release. Not only did long lines form at the offline store, but online channels also announced they were out of stock, leaving consumers waiting for pre-sales. This special coffee blend incorporates chocolate powder and American cayenne pepper powder and is available only at the COFFEE CUBE coffee shop inside the symphony orchestra. The simultaneously launched archive-file handbag contains ten drip coffee bags from different regions, each with a QR code that allows listeners to hear ten symphonic works and audio interpretations by mental health experts on urban emotional issues such as workplace PUA and insomnia. This is another successful creative attempt by the center to break out of its niche after "No. 600 Mooncakes," reflecting the market trend in which coffee has become a daily necessity for urban young people. [more…]