Starbucks Expands its Ready-To-Drink Products in China
The coffee company inks a deal with Tingyi Holding Corp to further tap China’s $6 billion RTD coffee category.
Starbucks and Chinese leading food and beverage producer Tingyi Holding Corp. (Tingyi) entered into an agreement to manufacture and expand the distribution of Starbucks ready-to-drink (RTD) products throughout mainland China.
According to the agreement Starbucks will be responsible for providing coffee expertise, brand development and future product innovation, and Tingyi will manufacture and sell Starbucks RTD portfolio in China. The RTD coffee and energy category is a $6 billion business, and is projected to grow by 20 percent over the next three years.
China is Starbucks’ fastest growing market outside the U.S., with more than 1,500 stores in nearly 90 cities and more than 25,000 partners (employees). Tingyi is a leading Chinese food and beverage producer which, after more than 20 years of development, boasts world-leading production facilities and management expertise with a broad spectrum of quality channel resources. Tingyi’s local manufacturing, sales and distribution expertise combined with Starbucks strong brand recognition and coffee expertise will unlock new market opportunities.
“We are pleased to work with Tingyi, a leader in China’s RTD beverage category, to unlock the massive ready-to-drink market and grow local demand for Starbucks,” said John Culver, group president, Starbucks Coffee China and Asia Pacific, Channel Development and Emerging Brands. “Our agreement enables us to develop new categories and occasions to delight our customers and connect people outside of our stores to Starbucks where they live, work and play.”
Starting 19 March, customers in China can purchase Starbucks Bottled Frappuccino beverages in nearly 6,000 locations including select Starbucks retail stores, grocery and convenience stores throughout mainland China.
Through this agreement, Starbucks and Tingyi plan to bring new and existing Starbucks Bottled Frappuccino in the marketplace during 2016, which will be followed by innovation and an increased number of locations and cities for consumers to purchase Starbucks RTD products.
