Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges and strategies of Luckin Coffee, a brand under Mixue Group, as it aims to expand from lower-tier cities to higher-tier cities, while facing intense competition in the coffee market [2][3]. Expansion Goals - Luckin Coffee has set a target to open 10,000 stores by early 2025, having reached 7,000 stores by the end of July 2023 [4]. - To accelerate store openings, Luckin Coffee has doubled its market personnel to over 400 [4]. Store Opening Strategies - Luckin Coffee has lowered the barriers for opening new stores, offering significant subsidies in key provinces and major cities, with total reductions reaching up to 34,000 yuan per store in cities like Beijing and Shanghai [5]. - The company has organized its expansion strategy by dividing regions into areas with 1,000 to 3,000 stores, assigning market personnel to support franchisees [5]. Product and Pricing Strategy - Luckin Coffee aims to provide high-quality coffee at affordable prices, reducing the price of its medium Americano from 8 yuan to 5 yuan and large latte from 12 yuan to 9 yuan [6]. - The brand has successfully launched popular products, such as the coconut latte, which became its first product to exceed 100 million yuan in sales [9]. Market Positioning - Initially targeting lower-tier cities, Luckin Coffee filled a market gap where few chain coffee shops existed [10]. - The brand's rapid expansion was supported by favorable market conditions, including lower rental costs [9]. Competitive Landscape - In 2023, the coffee market saw significant changes with competitors like Luckin and Kudi aggressively expanding, while Luckin Coffee adopted a more cautious approach to maintain franchisee stability [11][12]. - Despite facing a price war, Luckin Coffee maintained a competitive advantage with an average cup price of around 7 yuan [11]. Marketing and Promotions - In response to the competitive pricing environment, Luckin Coffee launched a promotional campaign offering all items at 6.6 yuan, resulting in a significant increase in sales and new user acquisition [14]. - The company has implemented cost-saving measures, such as using semi-automatic coffee machines to reduce equipment costs [15]. Brand Strategy - Mixue Group chose to create an independent coffee brand rather than adding coffee products to its existing tea brand to avoid internal competition [18]. - The company believes that having more stores is essential for its raw material business model, which relies heavily on sales to franchisees [19]. Market Potential - The coffee market in China is expected to grow significantly, with per capita coffee consumption projected to increase [20]. - Luckin Coffee benefits from a strong supply chain shared with Mixue Group, enhancing its operational efficiency [20].