% Arabica makes its Taiwan debut

Japanese boutique coffee group % Arabica has made its debut in Taiwan with a store in Taipei. The Elephant Mountain store is the second % Arabica outlet to open this month following the launch of store in the lobby of the new United Overseas Bank head office in Bangkok, the group’s fourth in the Thai capital.

The boutique café group now operates 120 stores across 18 countries, including 61 in its largest market, China, and four in its native Japan.

According to % Arabica’s website, the group will soon open stores in Vietnam, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, Spain and the Philippines.

In July 2022 Lucky Ace International Ltd., which operates the group in China, was reported as seeking to raise $300m to support its expansion plans in the country.

World Coffee Portal estimates the Taiwanese branded coffee shop market exceeds 2,500 outlets and forecasts it will reach 3,200 outlets by 2025. Louisa Coffee is the coffee-focused segment leader with approximately 520 outlets.