瑞幸鲸吞Costa，再上美股的一张门票？

Core Viewpoint - Luckin Coffee's major shareholder, Dazhong Capital, is reportedly considering acquiring Costa Coffee from Coca-Cola for an estimated £1 billion, aiming to integrate resources and create a global coffee empire [1][3]. Group 1: Acquisition Intentions - Dazhong Capital's potential acquisition of Costa Coffee is seen as a strategic move to enhance Luckin Coffee's international presence and brand recognition [3][14]. - The acquisition could allow for resource integration between Luckin and Costa, creating a complementary positioning in the coffee market [3][14]. - Analysts suggest that the timing of the acquisition is favorable due to Costa's current low valuation, making it an attractive opportunity for Dazhong Capital [14][21]. Group 2: Costa Coffee's Market Position - Costa Coffee has faced challenges in recent years, including a decline in performance and a significant reduction in its store count in China, dropping to 334 stores as of November 2023 [9][12]. - The brand's shift in strategy post-acquisition by Coca-Cola led to a focus on ready-to-drink coffee products, which has hindered its growth in the competitive Chinese market [8][12]. - Costa's revenue for 2023 was reported at £1.22 billion, a 9% increase year-over-year, but still below its 2018 revenue of £1.3 billion, with a reported loss of £9.6 million [13][14]. Group 3: Strategic Implications for Luckin Coffee - The acquisition of Costa could serve as a critical step for Luckin Coffee in its efforts to return to the international capital market, providing a new narrative to support its global ambitions [21][24]. - Luckin's recent financial performance shows a healthy cash flow and stable profitability, with a 50.2% year-over-year increase in net revenue for Q3 2023 [23]. - The integration of Costa's international store network could facilitate Luckin's expansion into overseas markets, particularly in Europe, while enhancing its brand competitiveness [23][24].