[justquest]

This a good explanation, but I have to point out that for this particular example (being able to buy Frappucinos in China because they're cheaper), the opposite is true.

Fun fact: Starbucks is significantly more expensive in China than in America, even if you use the currencies at their current exchange rates.

Not fun fact: I live in China, and I like Starbucks.

[dagw]

Are there any local coffee shops that sever 'western' style coffee? And if so are they also more expensive than Starbucks in the US. Also what is the local equivalent of a cappuccino and what does that cost. PPP generally deals with equivalent goods and not identical goods, especially when the goods have to imported at great expense to one country.

I mean even here in Sweden Starbucks is a good 50% more expensive than your random local coffee shop, so Starbucks probably isn't the best comparison to make.

[nothrabannosir]

Yes, and they are, also, ridiculously expensive. A (awful) capuccino can easily cost 30 kuai, where a very nice plate of rice with bacon and garnish from a low-end shop will cost you 10.

The entire drinking coffee outside game is just shockingly expensive in China. At least I haven't found the cheap ones.

1 us ~= 6.15 kuai

[seanmcdirmid]

Beijing?

[justquest]

I actually haven't been to a Beijing Starbucks, but in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Ningbo, Starbucks products are markedly more expensive. I imagine that for Beijing the same would be true. I suppose I shouldn't speak for China as a whole, as I haven't been to Starbucks all over the country.

[seanmcdirmid]

They are probably the same price. I was just wondering if you were in Beijing. They have Starbucks almost everywhere now, even my wife's hometown in southern hunan.