PETALING JAYA: Loob Holding Sdn Bhd, the creator of Malaysia’s Tealive bubble tea brand, has launched the first of its 500 stores in China.

The store at SML Centre in Huangpu district saw long queues of tea drinkers eager to try the uniquely Malaysian tropical flavours, particularly durian-themed drinks.

Loob Holding CEO Bryan Loo was pleased that Chinese consumers took a strong liking to Tealive’s specially-created drinks for this market, which includes hot drinks catered to the cold climate.

“With China being the world’s largest tea market and the fourth overseas market for Tealive, we decided to create a specific menu for China to showcase South-East Asian ingredients including durian, cempedak, gula melaka, Bentong ginger and Sabah-origin tea.

“More outlets will be opened in Shanghai and we plan to have 20 outlets in China by June 2019,” he said.

Among the quick crowd favourites were Durian Milkshake, Green Tea and Oolong Tea with Durian Mousse, as well as hot drinks such as Ginger Sabah Milk Tea, Superior Coco and Collagen Milk Tea. Early this year, Loob Holding had entered into a joint venture with two Chinese companies, Zhejiang Boduo International Trade Co Ltd and Shanghai Panfei International Trade Co Ltd to open 500 stores in China within three years.

“Tealive is a homegrown brand that we have always proudly described as ‘Born in Malaysia, Raised for the World’, and, indeed we have.

“Barely six months after the birth of Tealive, we took the brand to Vietnam and are on target to opening eight outlets by year-end.

“Now, with our first step into China and the upcoming plans for India, we are en-route to growing Tealive as a truly authentic Malaysian lifestyle tea brand in the eyes of the world.

“We are passionate about applying a local touch to every market that we enter, and are excited to share our Southeast Asian origins with every tea lover,” Loo said.

The company has also penetrated the Australian market in July this year, with its first store in Melbourne.

Tealive has close to 200 outlets in Malaysia with 2.5 million consumers each month.

Loob Holding has established six Tealive stores in Vietnam and recently appointed a master franchisee in India with the target of opening 200 outlets within five years.

 Source:https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2018/11/20/loob-launches-tealive-store-in-china/