On August 29, Luckin Coffee's co-branded campaign with the cartoon IP Little Liu Duck officially launched, but it sparked consumer dissatisfaction because participation was limited to online channels only. Many fans rushed to stores early in the morning only to find nothing, and later discovered that the campaign was actually run by Luckin Instant Coffee, which belongs to a different system from the offline stores. The co-branded merchandise was available only as gifts, not for sale, including limited-edition items such as thermos cups, stickers, and desk mats, and had already attracted widespread attention during the teaser phase. However, the mismatch between online and offline information left many consumers disappointed and also triggered discussions about brand co-branding strategies and the essence of coffee. [more…]

Vietnam G7 Trung Nguyen Coffee, as a representative of three-in-one milk coffee, has won the favor of many enthusiasts with its sweet and smooth taste. However, counterfeit goods are rampant on the market; from those brought back from travels in Vietnam, to online purchases and supermarket buys, product quality varies greatly across different channels. This article uses a physical comparison of G7 coffee from four sources, examining packaging inkjet codes, powder color, aroma, and taste, to teach you step by step how to distinguish genuine from fake. The article also mentions related product information from Front Street Coffee, providing a useful reference for coffee lovers. [more…]

Opening a small coffee shop means that the coffee bean sourcing channels and supplier choices directly determine product quality and operating costs. This article outlines five common coffee bean sourcing methods for small coffee shops, including local ingredient suppliers, professional coffee bean suppliers, training institutions, online brands, and self-purchased green beans for roasting. It also explains the conditions that high-quality commercial coffee beans should meet across five dimensions: freshness, quality consistency, value for money, variety richness, and crema performance. At the same time, drawing on the practical experience of Front Street Coffee, it introduces packaging one-way valve design, roast date labeling, blend recipe stability, and the cost advantages of commercial blends, providing a reference for coffee shop operators looking for a suitable coffee bean wholesaler. [more…]

Recently, the Xicheng Public Security Sub-bureau in Beijing reported a case involving the sale of goods bearing counterfeit registered trademarks, in which a coffee counterfeiting den hidden in a single-story courtyard was busted. Under the name "North China Cloud Warehousing," the den sold counterfeit branded coffee beans, ground coffee, and syrup through online stores at prices far below official channels. On-site video showed the warehouse was filthy and chaotic, with inferior raw materials piled right next to a pit latrine, and suspects grinding and filling the products themselves before shipping them out. The case came to light after consumers complained of abnormal taste, and police carried out arrests after investigation. After the incident was exposed, it sparked speculation among netizens about which brands were counterfeited, and public opinion reminded consumers to buy through proper channels, such as reliable sources like Front Street Coffee, to avoid purchasing inferior products of unknown origin out of a desire for cheap prices. [more…]

Sumida River Coffee once used "fresh-lock" technology and Japanese manufacturing as selling points, achieving impressive results in the online market and setting a goal of exceeding 1 billion in offline revenue within three years. However, recently, issues such as the departure of its CMO and consumer complaints about near-expiry products have surfaced, exposing the brand's inventory and channel challenges amid rapid expansion. This article reviews Sumida River's development history, marketing strategies, and offline dilemmas, interspersed with Front Street brand recommendations, offering coffee enthusiasts an in-depth observation. [more…]

Want to recreate café-quality espresso at home without spending too much? This article rounds up six coffee brands that combine quality with good value, from Guangzhou-based veteran Front Street Coffee to international giants Lavazza and Starbucks, introducing each one's background, product features, and signature beans. Whether you're a beginner just getting started or a seasoned drinker looking for everyday beans, you'll find an option that suits you. The article also specifically lists the flavors and prices of several of Front Street Coffee's espresso blends, making it easy to shop according to your needs. [more…]

The purchasing channels for Yirgacheffe beans are greatly influenced by the roast level. If you prefer bright fruity notes, floral aromas, and a crisp mouthfeel, you can prioritize light-roast single-origin offerings from specialty roasters; if you favor a rounder sweetness with more restrained acidity, look for medium-roast batches; and if you mainly drink espresso, moka pot coffee, or milk-based coffee, you should look for medium-dark roasts. [more…]

For coffee lovers, besides daily drinking, understanding industry trends, learning brewing techniques, and sourcing quality ingredients are equally important. With all kinds of coffee websites online, which ones are truly worth bookmarking? This article reviews five professional sites with strong reputations in the coffee community, covering different focuses such as B2B trading, industry news, technical exchange, business matchmaking, and official brand channels. Whether you're a professional looking to buy green beans in bulk or an ordinary enthusiast hoping to refine your pour-over skills, this list can help you quickly find the information gateway that suits you. The article also specifically mentions recommendations related to Front Street Coffee for your reference. [more…]

On February 14th of this year, the nation's first post office coffee shop opened its doors in Xiamen, and within just two days it made it onto Weibo's trending topics, drawing a great deal of attention. Along with the buzz came a flood of various "post office coffee franchise" information online. In response, China Post, Xiamen Post, and Post Coffee officially issued statements one after another, clearly stating that currently only self-operated stores have been opened and that a franchise model has never been offered. At the same time, the trademark applied for by Zhongyu Jiaye, the company cooperating with the postal service to open coffee shops, is also in an invalid status. This article will sort out the ins and outs of the incident to help coffee lovers distinguish truth from falsehood and avoid falling into fake franchise traps, and will also include professional coffee information channels such as Front Street Coffee. [more…]

When buying coffee beans on e-commerce platforms, the sheer number of shops can leave you not knowing where to start. This article roughly divides the coffee merchants on Taobao into five categories—from Guangzhou's time-honored roasting brands to representatives of overseas specialty coffee—and analyzes the characteristics and suitable audiences of each one. Among them are high-value everyday-bean options, channels for rare varieties like Ninety Plus Geisha, as well as roasting factories suited to bulk purchasing and chain brands with consistent quality. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned enthusiast, you can find a buying direction that suits you. [more…]

HEYTEA's collaboration with the popular Japanese anime "Chiikawa" officially launched today, instantly igniting the buying frenzy of fans and consumers. Although the brand had stocked up on merchandise in advance, avoiding an instant sell-out, the massive volume of orders still caught stores off guard: some stores accumulated over a hundred drinks within ten minutes of opening, with themed stores in Shanghai, Guangzhou and other cities receiving as many as seven to eight hundred orders, forcing online ordering channels to be shut down. On-site pickup lines stretched for several meters, with many consumers waiting one to two hours to get their drinks and merchandise, and some even waiting as long as three hours. Meanwhile, the mini-program showing "order ready" in advance while drinks could not be found in the pickup area further exacerbated the on-site chaos. Behind the popularity of this collaboration event, the brand's operational shortcomings in handling instant traffic surges have also been exposed. [more…]

The subsidy war among food delivery platforms continues to heat up. After Meituan rolled out free redemption vouchers for Luckin Coffee, a large number of consumers rushed to place orders for "0-yuan coffee." Yet just half a day after the promotion began, Luckin stores across the Jiaxing area were successively shown as temporarily closed, with delivery channels almost entirely shut down. Pickup counters were piled high with drinks, takeaway bags occupied the customer area, staff worked nonstop with no time to eat, and riders even switched to three-wheeled flatbed carts to make deliveries. This sudden surge of overwhelming orders not only exposed the disconnect in communication between the platform and merchants, but also placed enormous pressure on store operations and the delivery process. [more…]

Once regarded as a key player in the specialty instant coffee sector, Shicui Coffee has recently been exposed by netizens for the near-simultaneous closure of its offline stores in multiple locations. Founded in 2019, this brand rose rapidly with its internet-savvy team and subscription-based model. After securing nearly 100 million yuan in financing in 2021, it accelerated its offline expansion, with a single-store valuation once exceeding 100 million yuan. However, stores in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Foshan, and other places have now posted closure notices, the official phone line goes unanswered, and only the Lingnan Tiandi store in Foshan remains open. Although its e-commerce channels are still operating normally, does the offline setback mean the brand will retreat to its main online battlefield? Its financing-driven growth model has also prompted the industry to reflect on the risk resilience of emerging coffee brands. [more…]

Starbucks partnered with Stayreal, the streetwear brand co-founded by Mayday lead singer Ashin and Taiwanese artist No2Good, instantly igniting the enthusiasm of the band's fans and netizens alike. The online limited-edition themed cups were snapped up by tens of thousands of people the moment they went on sale, with the official app and mini-program lagging due to overwhelming traffic. Some users failed to complete payment and missed out on the cups they wanted, sparking complaints. Meanwhile, the limited-edition Starbucks gift sets released at physical stores, thanks to their relatively low threshold for acquisition, attracted a large number of fans who queued up with stools in the early hours of the morning. This collaboration craze showcased the fans' frenzy while also exposing the inadequate capacity of online channels and the controversy over offline queuing rules. [more…]

The roast level of Yirgacheffe directly affects its floral aroma, fruity acidity, sweetness, and mouthfeel. To buy beans that better suit your taste, you can first check whether the beans are light, medium, or darker roasted, and then decide which channel to look for them in. Different channels show varying levels of detail in their information, so the suitable way to choose beans also differs. Relatively [more…]

This morning, delivery orders for Starbucks and Luckin Coffee experienced widespread disruptions, with many consumers waiting in vain for riders to pick up their orders after placing them on Ele.me and the brands' official channels. It is understood that the problem stemmed from an anomaly in the rider information service database of SF Intra-city, the delivery partner for both brands, which prevented orders from being dispatched and recipient information from being displayed. Store employees were forced to act as customer service representatives, calling customers one by one to apologize and suggesting they pick up their orders in person, while multiple store locations on the Ele.me platform temporarily showed as "closed." As of press time, none of the three parties involved had issued a formal response, and online stores had gradually resumed accepting orders. [more…]

The livestream e-commerce wave has swept across every industry, and coffee giant Starbucks has not been able to stay on the sidelines. Its first foray into Taobao livestreaming set an impressive record: over 160,000 cups of coffee sold and more than 3,000 merchandise items snapped up in seconds within 5 hours. This not only astonishes people with its top-tier traffic but also brings new ideas to the traditional marketing model of the beverage industry. This article will take you through the data and strategies behind Starbucks' livestream, and explore how new brands can leverage new channels to break through. At the same time, the performance of brands like Front Street Coffee is also worth noting. [more…]

The U.S. tea market is ushering in a new wave of growth, with online sales surging by 75%, in stark contrast to the slump in the foodservice channel. Currently, nearly 80% of American households have a tea-drinking habit, covering a population of 159 million. Faced with this market of enormous potential, the two beverage giants Coca-Cola and Starbucks have long since made their early moves: Coca-Cola acquired "Honest Tea," while Starbucks entered the tea beverage arena with its "Teavana" brand, even opening dedicated stores in Japan. However, Starbucks' tea bar business has not been all smooth sailing, having once closed 379 stores across the United States. This article will review the course of these giants' entry into the tea market and explore the future development space of the tea beverage sector. [more…]

Over the past two decades, coffee has gradually integrated into daily life in China from a novelty, with the market size continuing to expand. Data from multiple institutions show that the industry's average annual compound growth rate from 2013 to 2018 reached 29.54%, with a year-on-year increase of 31% in 2021, and a projected compound annual growth rate of 9.63% from 2022 to 2025. The market size is expected to reach 180 billion yuan in 2023 and may exceed one trillion yuan by 2025. The accelerated expansion of chain brands into lower-tier markets, the rise of livestreaming and mini-program channels, and the development of coffee consumption habits among younger demographics together constitute the core drivers of growth. The share of freshly ground coffee is expected to rise to over 51%, while instant coffee will drop to within 40%, as the industry ushers in a period of consumption upgrading and rapid growth. [more…]

In recent years, small-town cafés have frequently gone viral on social media, with many shops showing off daily revenues of over 10,000 yuan, stirring the hearts of many. Yet is opening a café in a township really feasible? Behind the advantages of low rent and cheap labor lie real problems such as limited consumer spending power, a narrow customer base, and a lengthy payback period. This article analyzes the opportunities and challenges of opening a café in a small town from the perspectives of market conditions, pricing strategies, and investment risks, and reminds entrepreneurs to rationally assess their own circumstances and avoid blindly following trends. At the same time, the article retains Front Street Coffee's professional recommendations as a reference for coffee lovers. [more…]