May Industry Report: 54 Brands Open 4,480 New Stores
According to the latest May 2026 industry tracker, 54 mainstream tea and coffee brands in China opened a total of 4,480 new locations. Mixue Bingcheng (蜜雪冰城) maintained its massive expansion lead with 1,345 new stores during the month, further solidifying its position as the market leader by scale.
(Mixue Bingcheng (蜜雪冰城) continues its record-breaking expansion both domestically and globally)
Mixue Bingcheng (蜜雪冰城) Officially Enters Saudi Arabia
Continuing its aggressive international push, Mixue Bingcheng (蜜雪冰城) has officially opened its first location in Saudi Arabia. The move marks a significant entry into the Middle Eastern market, showcasing the global appeal of the brand’s high-value, low-cost beverage model.
Goodme (古茗) Expands Bottled HPP Juice to Major Retail Channels
Leading tea chain Goodme (古茗) has officially moved its bottled HPP (High-Pressure Processing) cold-pressed juices beyond its own stores into major retail networks. As of July 1, the juices—featuring ingredients like kale and bitter melon—are available at Yonghui, Lawson, FamilyMart, and 7-Eleven, with price points between 9.9 and 11.9 RMB.
(Goodme (古茗) leverages HPP technology to penetrate the premium retail juice market)
Starbucks (星巴克) Opens 4th Reserve Store in Xi’an
Starbucks (星巴克) has expanded its premium footprint in Northwest China with the opening of its fourth Starbucks Reserve store in Xi’an, located at the prestigious SKP shopping mall. The new store highlights Starbucks’ commitment to high-end coffee experiences and localized architectural design in major Chinese urban hubs.
(Starbucks (星巴克) Xi’an SKP Reserve Store features a sophisticated night-view aesthetic)
Naìsnow (奈雪的茶) Launches 2.5-Hour “Ice Brick” Americano
Naìsnow (奈雪的茶) has introduced a seasonal innovation with its “Ice Brick Americano” and “Ice Brick Lemon Tea.” The self-developed coffee ice bricks are designed to maintain a cold temperature and intense flavor for up to 2.5 hours, specifically catering to the demand for long-lasting refreshment during the summer heat.
(Naìsnow (奈雪的茶) continues to focus on product-led innovation for the summer season)
HEYTEA (喜茶) Tests “Tea Mixer Assistant” in Shenzhen
In a push toward digital personalization, HEYTEA (喜茶) is inner-testing a new “Tea Mixer Assistant” feature on its platform in Shenzhen. The tool allows customers to customize their own tea bases, fruit juices, and toppings, and even assign personalized names to their creations, enhancing the interactive consumer experience.
