Core Insights - Luckin Coffee has officially announced the discontinuation of its seasonal hit "Apple C Americano," which has sparked widespread consumer lament on social media [1][2][6] - Competitor KFC's coffee brand, K Coffee, has quickly capitalized on this opportunity with aggressive marketing campaigns [1][6] Company Actions - Luckin Coffee confirmed the removal of "Apple C Americano" from its menu, with plans to reintroduce "Sakura Latte" [2] - The drink was part of the "Fruit Coffee C Series" and had gained significant popularity since its launch in late October last year [6] - The discontinuation is attributed to the seasonal nature of the product and a shortage of the required apple concentrate [6] Market Response - Consumers expressed their disappointment on social media, with comments reflecting a strong attachment to the product [6] - K Coffee's marketing strategy includes slogans like "Good apples never say goodbye" to attract former Luckin customers [1][6] Industry Trends - The coffee industry in China is characterized by seasonal product offerings, with brands adjusting their SKUs based on fruit availability [12] - The supply chain for coffee includes both bulk commodities and agile components to support rapid product development [12] Competitive Landscape - K Coffee benefits from a strong supply chain and shared resources with its parent brand KFC, allowing it to maintain healthy profit margins despite competitive pricing [13] - As of the end of 2024, K Coffee plans to expand its store count to approximately 700 locations across 30 provinces in China, with further growth expected to reach 1,300 stores by 2025 [13]