Here is your daily update on China’s dynamic beverage market for May 19, 2026.
1. Manner Coffee x Hollister Launch Surf-Themed “Yirgacheffe” Collaboration
Manner Coffee has partnered with American lifestyle brand Hollister to launch a surf-themed collaboration. The campaign introduces a new “Yirgacheffe” coffee series alongside limited-edition accessories, targeting the Gen-Z market with a focus on outdoor and summer vibes.
This cross-industry partnership leverages Hollister’s youth appeal to broaden Manner’s lifestyle branding. By integrating “surf culture” into the daily coffee experience, both brands aim to capture the attention of fashion-conscious urban consumers during the peak summer season.
2. LINLEE Appoints Cai Xukun as Global Brand Ambassador
Hand-pounded lemon tea specialist LINLEE has officially announced Chinese pop idol Cai Xukun as its Global Brand Ambassador. The announcement has triggered a massive wave of social media engagement, with millions of fans participating in promotional campaigns across Weibo and Xiaohongshu.
LINLEE’s choice of a top-tier celebrity signals its ambition to move from a regional favorite to a national and international household name. The partnership is expected to drive significant traffic to stores and boost the visibility of its core product—freshly hand-pounded lemon tea.
3. CHAGEE Unveils Landmark “Museum Theme Store” in Wuhan
CHAGEE (霸王茶姬) has opened a new “Museum Theme Store” in Wuhan. The store design blends traditional Chinese tea culture with historical architectural elements, offering an immersive experience that goes beyond standard retail. It serves as a flagship destination for brand storytelling and cultural engagement.
The “Tea Museum” concept highlights CHAGEE’s focus on premium positioning and cultural heritage. By creating highly aesthetic, “Instagrammable” spaces, the brand continues to lead the trend of “New-style Tea” as a modern cultural export.
4. Guming (Goodme) Expands into “Breakfast Bakery” Category
Leading tea chain Guming (Goodme) has officially launched its “Breakfast Bakery” service in selected high-traffic stores. The new menu offers freshly baked croissants and pastries paired with morning beverages, aiming to capture the lucrative “morning commute” segment.
Expanding into the bakery category allows Guming to increase its Average Order Value (AOV) and broaden its consumption scenarios. This move follows a growing industry trend where tea brands seek to become all-day dining destinations by diversifying their food offerings.
5. China’s Tea and Coffee Revenue Grows 12.4% YoY in April
The latest industry data reveals that China’s tea and coffee market revenue grew by 12.4% year-on-year in April 2026. The growth is attributed to a combination of digital transformation, aggressive store expansion into lower-tier cities, and a resurgence in offline foot traffic.
This steady growth underscores the resilience of the beverage sector within the broader retail landscape. Analysts expect the momentum to continue as brands further optimize their supply chains and implement data-driven loyalty programs to increase customer retention.
6. Starbucks China Accelerates “County-level Expansion” Strategy
Starbucks China has announced plans to accelerate its entry into smaller regional markets, targeting the opening of over 50 new stores in “county-level” cities this quarter. The strategy aims to tap into the rising purchasing power and coffee awareness in China’s non-metropolitan areas.
By moving deeper into smaller cities, Starbucks is challenging local chains on their home turf. The brand is adapting its store formats and localized marketing to better suit the consumption habits of regional residents while maintaining its premium brand identity.
7. Luckin Coffee Surpasses 20,000-Store Milestone
Luckin Coffee has officially surpassed the 20,000-store mark in China, solidifying its position as the largest coffee chain in the country by store count. The brand continues to rely on its technology-driven “pick-up store” model to maintain a high pace of expansion and operational efficiency.
Reaching 20,000 stores is a historic achievement for Luckin and the wider Chinese coffee industry. It demonstrates the scale of the “digital-first” retail model and sets a new benchmark for competitive density in the world’s most dynamic coffee market.
Stay tuned for more insights into China’s tea and coffee landscape from CupLoom.
