1. ChaPanda (茶百道)’s Lychee Series Returns with Strong Sales
ChaPanda (茶百道) has officially relaunched its popular Lychee series, including “Lychee Ice Milk” and “Lychee Bayberry.” Pre-sales for the Lychee Ice Milk exceeded 1 million cups, with first-day sales surpassing 200,000 units.
This successful return highlights the market’s high demand for seasonal fresh fruit beverages. ChaPanda (茶百道)’s ability to generate massive pre-launch hype through digital channels continues to drive its high sales velocity during seasonal transitions.
2. Naìsnow (奈雪的茶) x “Grass Little Dog” Collaboration Launches for 520 Holiday
To celebrate the May 20 (520) holiday, Naìsnow (奈雪的茶) launched a collaboration with the popular anime IP “Grass Little Dog”. The campaign features themed “Pink Bottles” and probiotic yogurt drinks, accompanied by limited-edition plush merchandise.
A creative highlight of this launch is the “milk cheese art,” where store staff apply toppings to cups to create random “Grass Little Dog” patterns. This interactive element has become a viral sensation on Xiaohongshu, driving significant “check-in” traffic to Naìsnow (奈雪的茶) locations.
3. Mixue (蜜雪冰城) Launches “Marriage Certificate” Promotion
Mixue (蜜雪冰城) targeted the “520” romantic holiday by releasing limited-edition “Marriage Certificate” notebooks and fridge magnets. Customers can purchase these items for an additional 3 RMB with any drink purchase, featuring the brand’s iconic Snow King and Snow Queen characters.
This low-cost, high-engagement strategy reinforces Mixue’s IP-driven marketing model. By creating affordable and fun collectibles, the brand successfully leverages major holidays to increase store traffic and cross-sell merchandise.
4. April Industry Growth Report: 32 Brands Lead Store Expansion
The latest April 2026 data shows that 32 beverage brands achieved net growth in store counts. Mixue (蜜雪冰城), Auntea Jenny (沪上阿姨), Goodme (古茗), and 1 Point Point (一点点) led the market, collectively adding 1,794 new stores during the month.
This data indicates that despite market saturation in Tier-1 cities, major chains are successfully finding growth in lower-tier markets. The aggressive expansion strategies of these top-tier brands continue to consolidate the market landscape.
5. LINLEE (林里) Unveils 3.0 Flagship Stores in Shanghai and Guangzhou
Lemon tea specialist LINLEE (林里) has opened its new 3.0-style flagship stores at the Shanghai Global Harbor and Guangzhou Teemall. The Shanghai store reported a GMV exceeding 200,000 RMB in its first three days, demonstrating strong consumer interest in the brand’s upgraded identity.
The 3.0 stores feature a more modern, lifestyle-oriented design aimed at high-traffic shopping malls. This upgrade is part of LINLEE (林里)’s broader strategy to position itself as a premium national brand following its recent global ambassador announcement.
6. Luckin Coffee (瑞幸咖啡)’s “Little Green Tangerine” Sales Surpass 10 Million
Luckin Coffee (瑞幸咖啡) announced that its newly launched “Little Green Tangerine” series has surpassed 10.29 million cups in its first week. This performance adds to Luckin’s string of successful product launches driven by seasonal flavor trends.
The consistent success of Luckin’s product R&D team highlights the brand’s data-driven approach to flavor innovation. By identifying and scaling high-potential flavor profiles quickly, Luckin maintains its competitive edge in a fast-moving market.
7. Nongfu Spring (农夫山泉) Completes Board Re-election
Beverage giant Nongfu Spring (农夫山泉) has completed its board re-election on May 19. Founder Zhong Shanshan was re-elected as Executive Director and Chairman, ensuring leadership continuity for the company’s next phase of growth and market strategy.
The re-election provides stability for investors and partners as Nongfu Spring (农夫山泉) navigates the evolving competitive landscape of China’s bottled water and ready-to-drink tea segments.
