Tim Hortons China grows through Alibaba partnership

On Thursday, the Chinese operator of Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons announced a two-year partnership with Alibaba Group’s (9988.HK) grocery chain in which the two will launch co-branded products.

According to a statement, e-commerce giant Alibaba’s Freshippo will begin sales next month at its more than 300 stores as well as through its official app. Drinks such as Velvet Cocoa Coffee will be available.

Tims China (THCH.O), backed by Tencent Holdings (0700.HK), opened its 500th store in China last month and aims to have a “profitable network” of 2,750 stores in the country by 2026.

Even so, it would lag behind Starbucks (SBUX.O), the dominant foreign coffee brand in China with 6,000 stores and a broad partnership with Alibaba.

Cartesian Capital Group and Canada’s Restaurant Brands International (QSR.TO), which also owns the Burger King and Popeyes brands in addition to Tim Hortons, launched Tims China in 2019.

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For over a decade, Ikky has served as a cultural navigator and practical guide for foreigners building lives in the world's most complex and dynamic society. What began as a personal journey of adaptation has transformed into a mission to demystify China's systems for the international community. Through firsthand experience navigating the intricacies of Chinese bureaucracy, business culture, and daily life, Ikky has developed a unique expertise that blends legal knowledge, cultural insight, and hard-won practical wisdom.

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