Jing Ji Guan Cha Bao·2025-11-03 23:54Core Insights - Starbucks has announced a strategic partnership with Boyu Capital to establish a joint venture for its retail operations in China, marking a significant shift in its strategy after 26 years in the market [1] - The joint venture will see Boyu Capital holding up to 60% of the equity, while Starbucks retains 40% and continues to own the brand and intellectual property [1] - The estimated enterprise value of the transaction is around $4 billion, with Starbucks' retail business in China valued at over $13 billion [1] Group 1: Partnership Details - The joint venture will be headquartered in Shanghai and aims to expand Starbucks' store count in China to 20,000 in the long term [1] - Boyu Capital, founded in 2011, manages over 34.5 billion RMB and has a historical annualized return exceeding 25%, significantly above the industry average in Asia [2] - Boyu has a diversified investment portfolio, focusing on private equity, strategic allocations in listed companies, and sectors like technology, retail, and healthcare [2] Group 2: Market Context - The Chinese coffee market is undergoing structural changes, with the ready-to-drink coffee market exceeding 280 billion RMB and the affordable coffee segment growing at 42% [4] - Starbucks' same-store sales in China declined by 1% in FY2025, despite a 4% increase in transaction volume, indicating pressure from lower-priced competitors [4] - Luckin Coffee leads the market with 27,152 stores, significantly outpacing Starbucks, which has 8,011 stores as of September 2025 [4] Group 3: Strategic Goals - The partnership aims to leverage Boyu's local market expertise to accelerate Starbucks' expansion in smaller cities and emerging regions [5] - Starbucks plans to enhance product localization, digital transformation, and market expansion as part of the joint venture's strategy [6] - The collaboration is seen as a strategic upgrade rather than a relinquishment of control, with Starbucks maintaining brand ownership and operational standards [7] Group 4: Long-term Commitment - Starbucks has been committed to integrating with local communities in China, focusing on supply chain localization and product innovation [8] - The partnership with Boyu is expected to enhance Starbucks' influence in the Chinese coffee market and provide consumers with a richer coffee experience [8]