COSTA Opens First Store in Foshan with Chinese-Style Design

When a global coffee chain opens in a new city, customers often wonder: what makes this location different? In the case of COSTA’s first store in Foshan, the answer isn’t just about the coffee—it’s about how a British coffee brand reinterpreted traditional Chinese design to create a culturally resonant café space.

In May 2012, COSTA, one of the world’s top five coffee chains, officially entered the Foshan market with the opening of its first store in Lingnan Tiandi, Guangdong. Designed with a distinctive blend of Cantonese and British elements, it was the first COSTA location in China to merge classical Chinese interior design with British café culture.

The Story Behind COSTA

COSTA was founded in 1971 by brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa in London, where they established the COSTA Roastery. By 1978, the first Costa coffee shop opened, and the brand expanded internationally with its first overseas store in Dubai in 1999. Today, COSTA operates over 1,900 stores across 26 countries. The brand entered China in 2006 and had grown to nearly 200 locations within six years. Its arrival in Foshan marks another milestone in its expansion across the Pearl River Delta.

A First for COSTA: A Chinese-Styled Café

The Lingnan Tiandi COSTA store, unveiled on May 30, 2012, was a design collaboration led by Whitbread Group Director Louise Smalley and Jeff Sun, Regional Director of COSTA South China. It was the first in China to combine classical Chinese and British cultural elements in its interior design.

The store’s concept was inspired by Lingnan architecture and local standing culture, incorporating design elements like traditional Lingnan imports. Materials used included environmentally friendly nanmu wood and bamboo. The color scheme was limited to white and gray tones to emphasize harmony with nature, echoing visuals from the film In the Mood for Love. Architectural details ranged from grey brick eaves and traditional wooden doorframes to Western-style stained glass windows—preserving traditional Chinese aesthetics while blending them with a British café atmosphere.

British Café Details in Every Corner

Despite its Chinese-inspired structure, the café was infused with British coffee culture through design details. Bold pop-art style coffee bean posters, oversized single-seater armchairs, and refined black-framed wall art contributed to a cozy coffeehouse ambiance for coffee lovers.

The seating area was thoughtfully designed to serve various customer types—families, businesspeople, tourists, and groups. With high ceilings and black glass flooring, the main floor accommodated groups of four to six. For those planning a longer stay, the second floor offered sofa seating with carpeted areas for added warmth and comfort.

Coffee Quality and the Opening Event

To mark its Foshan debut, COSTA’s coffee quality specialists guided guests through the coffee-making process, highlighting attention to detail in every stage. This included bean selection and grinding, dosage and grind size, milk heating time and temperature, and cup selection. Every step was meticulously managed to ensure each cup of coffee reflected the brand’s commitment to quality and soulful preparation—an ethos expected of every COSTA barista.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did COSTA open its first store in Foshan?

COSTA opened its first Foshan store on May 30, 2012, located in Lingnan Tiandi, Guangdong.

What makes the Foshan COSTA store different?

The Foshan COSTA store was the first in China to feature a design that blended traditional Cantonese architectural elements with British café culture, creating a unique cultural fusion in its interior.

Who was involved in the design of the Foshan COSTA store?

The store was designed by Whitbread Group Director Louise Smalley and COSTA South China Regional Director Jeff Sun, marking a first for the brand in combining Chinese and British design influences.

What materials were used in the Foshan COSTA café?

The interior used environmentally friendly materials such as nanmu wood and bamboo, with a color palette of white and gray to reflect a natural and harmonious atmosphere.

Did the Foshan COSTA store offer any special events at its launch?

Yes, during the opening, COSTA’s coffee specialists guided guests through the coffee-making process, emphasizing precise techniques in brewing and attention to detail.

How many COSTA stores were there in China by 2012?

By 2012, COSTA had nearly 200 stores across multiple cities in China since its entry into the market in 2006.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Lingnan Cafés

For a café like COSTA’s Foshan flagship, we recommend FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright floral and citrus notes, Brazil Queen Manor for chocolatey and nutty balance, and Yirgacheffe for juicy berry and stone fruit complexity. These single origins highlight the craftsmanship behind manual brewing—perfect for a space honouring both British tradition and Chinese design. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.