Introduction:Luckin Coffee recently launched new product label stickers in select stores in cities such as Guangzhou and Hangzhou. Not only have the labels been enlarged in size, but they also mark the first time that nutritional information such as calorie and fat content is displayed, helping consumers better understand their dietary intake. However, this seemingly thoughtful change has presented new challenges for frontline staff — personalized order notes are not shown on the new labels, which affects service efficiency. This article takes an in-depth look at the pros and cons of the new label design and explores how the brand can strike a balance between customer needs and store operations.
Luckin Coffee has recently begun testing redesigned product label stickers in some stores in Guangzhou, Hangzhou, and other locations. These palm-sized labels replace the previous small blue ones. In addition to the basic order number and drink name, the new labels now include key nutritional information such as calories and fat content, giving customers clearer insight into the nutritional content of their beverages and helping them make more informed, healthier choices.
This adjustment is seen as part of a broader trend in the tea and beverage industry toward providing a “product ID.” In recent years, consumers have become increasingly concerned with details such as calorie count, sugar content, and caffeine levels in their drinks. Many brands have started offering what’s referred to as a “beverage ID,” listing comprehensive ingredient data. Luckin’s upgrade to its label content is a response to this consumer trend, allowing users to understand the nutritional makeup of their drinks at a glance and make smarter choices.
According to netizen observations, these new labels are currently being piloted only in select Luckin stores in cities such as Guangzhou and Hangzhou, and have not yet been rolled out nationwide. Nevertheless, many consumers have responded positively, believing the move aligns with the modern pursuit of healthy eating. Some netizens have also suggested that future labels could include even more details — such as caffeine and sugar content — to further enhance transparency.
However, for Luckin’s frontline staff, this change has introduced practical operational challenges. Although the new labels are larger, they still do not display common personalized order notes, such as requests for fewer ice cubes or adjusted sweetness levels. As a result, staff still need to frequently check receipts or the system backend to confirm specific customer requests, which in turn affects overall service efficiency.
Some employees have noted that while the old small labels were limited in size, they at least displayed basic product information. Now, with the larger labels, the crucial issue of note visibility remains unresolved, leaving them disappointed. Online, numerous staff comments express dissatisfaction, such as “They made the label so big but still won’t print the notes directly,” “It’s really unreasonable not to show the notes when there’s space,” and “Why not just make a note display feature?” They feel the new labels fail to truly improve workflow.
Beyond the absence of note information, some staff have also questioned the practicality and ease of use of the new labels. Some have pointed out that during peak hours, the new labels print more slowly, adding pressure to on-site operations. Complaints include “I’m dying sticking these labels on cups during morning rush,” “The label paper is way too short,” and “When orders spike, the label printer spits out enough to stretch for miles,” reflecting how, under high order volume, the new labels may actually become a bottleneck to efficiency.
Overall, Luckin’s trial of the new product label stickers has received positive feedback from customers regarding nutritional transparency, helping them make healthier beverage choices based on calorie and fat data. However, on the staff side, issues such as the lack of note information and inefficiencies in printing and operation have sparked considerable complaints. This highlights that the brand still needs further adjustments and optimizations to balance customer needs with smooth store operations.
This controversy over the labels also underscores the importance for chain beverage retailers to consider the practical realities of frontline operations while pushing for greater product information transparency. If Luckin decides to expand this pilot program, how to integrate note information into the new labels and improve printing efficiency will be key to the overall user experience and store performance.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
