The number of coffee-related companies in Shenzhen has reached 9,651, taking the lead among Chinese cities, according to data released by Qcc.com, a company information search platform.
For many citizens, coffee now has become a priority in the morning to help kick off their day.
According to a white paper on China’s freshly ground coffee industry, the coffee penetration rate in China’s first and second-tier cities reached 67%, equivalent to the rate of tea. Most coffee drinkers are urban white-collar workers aged between 20 to 40 years old.
“I couldn’t remember when I got ‘addicted’ to coffee. But I have to drink coffee every working day,” said a citizen surnamed Ge, who works in Futian CBD.
Coffee also serves a role in social activities. Ge suggested that she and her friends prefer coffee shops to fill their leisure time during weekend. “During the weekend, you will have more time to enjoy not only the drink itself, but also the environment a coffee shop provides,” Ge said.
Another citizen, surnamed Zhou, told Shenzhen Daily that she is not very much into coffee due to a personal preference, but willing to have some when hanging out with friends. “Many coffee shops in Shenzhen are well-decorated with different themes such as camping and industrial styles. It is just wonderful to sit there with friends and order a coffee for chill talk,” Zhou said.
China’s coffee market has been valued at 381.7 billion yuan (US$52.7 billion) and is estimated to grow to 1 trillion yuan in 2025, according to research institute iiMedia Research. The huge potential attracted an increasing number of coffee giants and entrepreneurs to join the battle.
At present, not only more Western coffee chains such as Peet’s Coffee and Lavazza, but also local independent coffee brands have opened outlets in Shenzhen.
Several urban areas like Bagualing in Futian’s Yuanling Subdistrict have seen a combined effect of coffee shops. According to a search result showed on Dazhong Dianping review platform, there are 65 coffee shops in the Bagualing area.
Futian District, home to over 1,300 coffee shops, has become one of the districts with the highest coffee density in the country, according to Shenzhen Evening News.
The growing number of coffee shops resulted in a highly competitive market, which at the same time brought in innovations in the city’s coffee industry.
Nie Hengyi, one of the many people who is in charge of a coffee shop in the city, said that all of the utensils are made by their employees and all their products can be adjusted by customers to their favorite tastes.
There is also a Turkish coffee shop in Shekou which is distinct from others for its fortunetelling service. Turkish coffee is known to be unfiltered and it is tradition in Turkey to tell one’s fortune by reading the coffee grounds left in the cup.
In addition, some Chinese teahouse companies such as Nayuki and Modern China Tea Shop, have also added coffee to their menu, vying to attract a wider range of customers.
“Shenzhen is an international metropolis. The fast development of the coffee market in the city has a great relationship with its diverse and open characteristics. The coffee market has a potential with great opportunities,” said Huang Jun, executive vice president of Shenzhen Retail Business Association.