Freshippo currently operates more than 300 retail stores across China | Photo credit: Tims China

Tims China has announced a two-year ready-to-drink (RTD) retail distribution partnership with Chinese grocery chain Freshippo. 
 

Launched in 2015 by Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba Group, Freshippo currently operates more than 300 retail stores across China. 

The partnership will see Freshippo introduce co-branded Tims China coffee products online and via its bricks-and-mortar stores from December 2022.  

The initial launch will see Velvet Cocoa Coffee and Chestnut Latte RTD products sold. 

The two companies will collaborate further on product development, design, marketing and pricing, ahead of future launches. 

“We are delighted to embark upon a two-year partnership with Freshippo, Alibaba’s technology-driven ‘new retail’ supermarket. Our co-branded products will provide Tims’ excellent coffee products with the convenience of Freshippo’s multiple channels to reach millions of consumers across China,” said Yongchen Lu, CEO, Tims China. 

In July 2022 Tims China announced an agreement with China's largest convenience store chain Easy Joy to develop co-branded RTD coffee products in more than 27,800 outlets. 

The following month Tims China commenced the roll-out of Tims Express outlets within Easy Joy’s outlet network. 

In September 2022 the Chinese operator of Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons completed its merger with special purpose acquisition company Silver Crest. The new entity, operating under the Tims China name, began trading on New York’s Nasdaq stock exchange on 29 September 2022. 

Tims China operates over 500 coffee shops in the country. The company’s revenue grew 70% in the first six months of 2022 compared to the same period last year.