China's Luckin Coffee opens first high-end store as it takes on Starbucks

Core Insights - Luckin Coffee is launching a flagship store in Shenzhen, targeting the premium coffee market and competing directly with Starbucks Reserve [1][2] - This marks a significant shift from Luckin's original budget-focused strategy, which previously allowed it to surpass Starbucks in the number of locations in China [1][2] - The flagship store features higher-priced specialty drinks, including pour-over and cold brew options, with beans sourced from Brazil, Ethiopia, and Yunnan, aligning with the "origin" theme popularized by Starbucks [3] Company Developments - The new flagship store, named Luckin Coffee Origin, officially opened on January 20 and spans two floors [2] - The store has introduced unique offerings such as a "tiramisu latte" and has generated significant customer interest, with reports of wait times of 1 to 3 hours for drinks [4] Market Context - Luckin's move comes as Starbucks is divesting most of its struggling China operations to a local investment firm, indicating a shift in the competitive landscape [2] - The company has successfully recovered from past fraud allegations that led to its delisting from Nasdaq in 2020, demonstrating resilience and a strategic pivot in its business model [2]