Luckin Coffee brews big plan for US market

Luckin Coffee Inc marked its official entry into the United States with the soft launch of two pickup-only stores in New York City on Monday, signaling the Chinese coffee chain's global ambitions as it eyes a slice of the world's largest and most mature coffee market.

The two locations — one in Midtown Manhattan and another near Washington Square Park, adjacent to New York University — opened to customer traffic on their first day.

Positioned in high-footfall areas popular with students, professionals and tourists, the stores signal Luckin's strategy to test its digital-first, value-oriented model in an intensely competitive and saturated market long dominated by Starbucks and local coffee brands.