Retail / news
Blue Bottle Coffee to Open First Beijing Store at China World Mall
The California-based premium coffee brand is taking a spacious unit in the capital's central business district as it targets China's still-expanding freshly brewed coffee market.
The store will occupy a large unit at China World Mall in Beijing's central business district, a space previously held by Japanese jeweller Tasaki. The site is currently enclosed by construction hoarding.
No official opening date has been announced, though industry sources said the shop is expected to open before the end of the year.
The expansion comes after Blue Bottle changed hands, having been sold by Nestlé to a Chinese capital firm.
Cathy Chao, senior director of Asia-Pacific corporate ratings at Fitch Ratings, said the freshly brewed coffee segment in China should continue to grow overall because average annual cups consumed per person remain well below levels in markets such as Japan and South Korea.
Chao added that the brand will need to offer distinctive experiences and "new taste combinations" to stand out in the market.