Chinese ready for coffee culture

Move over Starbucks! There is a new kid in town and he has grand plans.

The new kid is the Coffee Beanery chain, which announced in Shanghai yesterday its intention to open 800 stores on China's mainland over the next five years.

The Chinese licensee of the Michigan-based company called the mainland market almost untapped and said now is the time for the coffee shop business to "boom" in China.

"In more developed cities, well-educated consumers have good knowledge about coffee and they are open to new thing in their lifestyle," said Xia Ling, president and chief executive officer of The Coffee Beanery (China). He cited a company survey that revealed positive consumer attitudes toward coffee culture.

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