中国本土第四个万店咖啡品牌诞生
中国基金报·2025-12-12 10:21

Core Viewpoint - Nova Coffee has surpassed 10,000 stores, becoming the fourth local coffee brand in China to achieve this milestone, following Luckin Coffee, Kudi Coffee, and Lucky Coffee. However, its brand presence among consumers is relatively weak compared to its competitors due to its "parasitic store" model [2][4]. Group 1: Business Model - Nova Coffee operates under a "parasitic store" model, embedding its coffee business into existing commercial entities like convenience stores and esports cafes, rather than establishing independent stores. This approach allows for rapid expansion with minimal costs [4][5]. - As of November 3, 2025, 7,235 of Nova Coffee's stores (91.9%) are parasitic stores, with convenience stores being the primary location type. Notably, 3,635 of these stores are embedded within the 40,000+ locations of the convenience store chain Meiyijia, accounting for 46.2% of Nova's total stores [5]. Group 2: Brand Image Challenges - The "parasitic store" model presents a dual-edged sword, creating rapid expansion while hindering brand identity. The brand's perception is heavily influenced by the host stores, making it difficult to establish a distinct and high-quality brand image [7][9]. - Consumer purchasing behavior is primarily driven by location or price rather than brand loyalty, resulting in low customer retention and minimal brand premium [10]. Group 3: Strategic Initiatives - In response to brand image challenges, Nova Coffee is implementing a "light store" strategy, maintaining a large number of parasitic stores while gradually opening a few delivery-focused and brand image stores to enhance brand recognition [10]. - The company has completed multiple rounds of financing since its establishment in 2019, with the latest B++ round in September 2024 raising several hundred million yuan, aimed at building a coffee industry base and dedicated factory in Ningbo [13][15]. Group 4: Future Outlook - As Nova Coffee achieves its store count goals, the focus is shifting from the number of stores to the profitability and long-term brand value of each location. The challenge lies in transforming its extensive network into a brand with strong consumer loyalty and mental connection [16].