Starbucks' Struggle for Dominance in China's Evolving Coffee Market

05/04/2025 8 min

Listen "Starbucks' Struggle for Dominance in China's Evolving Coffee Market"

Episode Synopsis

Once the poster child of international expansion, Starbucks now faces significant challenges in China despite adding thousands of stores. Domestic competitor Luckin Coffee has surpassed Starbucks in store count with its grab-and-go model and aggressive discounting strategy. Economic pressures, rising Chinese nationalism, and changing consumer preferences have further complicated Starbucks' position in what remains a largely untapped coffee market.