Tibetan Cafe Recommendation! %Arabica Coffee Opens Store at the Potala Palace!!

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%Arabica Opens First Store in Tibet at World's Highest Altitude

Yesterday, the official account of coffee brand %Arabica announced that the first %Arabica store in Tibet and the highest altitude %Arabica store globally has officially opened!

According to the promotional photos, the store faces the Potala Palace, which has over 1,300 years of history, across the road. The pure white, clean design with geometric lines inherits %Arabica's minimalist style while echoing the snow-covered mountains.

The store's ceiling draws inspiration from snowflakes, allowing people to directly experience the majesty of snow mountains. Combined with irregular structural elements, it creates a light and airy feeling. It perfectly blends the grandeur of the Potala Palace with the relaxed atmosphere of a coffee shop.

Public Reaction and Market Analysis

%Arabica's decision to open a store near the Potala Palace has surprised many netizens. One aspect is the collision of culture and dietary habits, while another is the interesting "unconventional" location choice of %Arabica.

Regarding %Arabica's choice to open in Lhasa, some netizens believe that Lhasa's tourism industry has been thriving in recent years, but the coffee market remains relatively undeveloped, making it a strategic location with significant promotional value. Additionally, operating costs are lower compared to major cities.

Cost Analysis of Opening a Coffee Shop in Lhasa

Is it really cheaper to open a coffee shop in Lhasa?

In reality, the cost of opening a store in Lhasa is not low, mainly due to transportation difficulties and increased costs. Depending on the location, store rents are also not inexpensive. Comparing similar foot traffic, the cost of opening a coffee shop in prime locations in Lhasa might actually be higher than in bustling areas of first-tier cities.

Lhasa's Coffee Market Landscape

How is Lhasa's coffee market?

According to observations and research, Lhasa's coffee market is not currently in a blank state. A 2020 survey showed that Lhasa City already had over 100 coffee shops at that time, including 10 specialty coffee shops.

People might perceive Lhasa's coffee market as undeveloped because they believe local coffee consumption needs are very low. However, in this internet age, coffee culture has long been deeply ingrained through online platforms. Even if not an essential consumption item, the growing social needs of young people make the proliferation of coffee shops inevitable.

In the past two to three years, Lhasa has also become a focus for many young entrepreneurs. Many local young people developed coffee-drinking habits while studying abroad at university, and after graduation, they returned to Lhasa to start businesses. Meanwhile, other young people who have lived in big cities and returned to their hometowns or come to visit naturally form the main customer base.

Currently, there are increasingly more coffee shops opened by local people in Lhasa and famous scenic areas, as well as local coffee brands that have done very well in Lhasa.

The entry of international coffee brands brings brand recognition that provides consumers with a sense of trust. Through the contrast of cultural atmospheres, it can also attract more people to visit and check in. Brands can also use the surrounding environment to tell more stories, further bridging the distance between the brand and consumers through more humanistic narratives.

Impact on Local Coffee Culture

The continuous entry of international chain coffee brands actually has limited impact on the business of local coffee shops. Independent coffee shops can better integrate Tibetan local culture, allowing every customer who visits to experience Tibet's culture and characteristics while tasting coffee. Most people consume coffee for the atmosphere.

At the same time, the addition of these chain coffee brands can further attract more young people to pay attention to coffee, giving local consumers more understanding of coffee.

Image source: Internet

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