Chinese drinkers are reluctant to buy Starbucks' new bottled coffee, which the company is planning to get into more supermarkets.
The company's Chief Executive Howard Schultz was quoted by the Wall Street Journal Thursday as saying he's "aiming to leverage Starbucks' retail stores to build a stronger consumer packaged goods business."
Li Jing, China Communication Manager of the company, told the Global Times, "Starbucks will evaluate the market and then make its decision."
Starbucks is trying to make the tea country its biggest overseas market. In January 1999, it opened its first coffee shop in China and has established 380 stores so far, adding around 36 coffee shops per year.
Starbucks introduced its bottled Frappuccino drinks in China for several years with a much lower price of around 18 yuan ($2.65), while a medium-sized cup of Frappuccino is around 31 yuan ($4.57) in its shops.
"Introducing the bottled coffee drinks in China has made it more convenient for customers to enjoy our beverages. They can get their favorite coffee anywhere and anytime, " said Li.
"I will not buy the bottle products if Starbucks introduces more in the future," said Liang Hui, a customer at a Starbucks Store in Beijing. "I have tried their bottled Frappuccino and think it's too sweet."
"The bottled drink is totally different from the ones in the store," said another customer. "I love hot coffee with foam. The bottles don't have that."
