Starbucks reclaims coffee market lead after 5-month slump

Starbucks Korea reclaimed its position as the leading coffee chain in September, marking its comeback after a five-month slump, according to IGAWorks market data released on Sunday. The coffee chain's estimated card spending surged to 121.08 billion won ($90.1 million) in September, marking a 4.3 percent increase from the previous month, August.

This resurgence propelled Starbucks ahead of rival Twosome Place, which saw a 6.4 percent decline in card spending to 110.5 billion won in September, falling 10.58 billion won short of Starbucks.

Starbucks had trailed Twosome for four consecutive months, with its estimated card spending dropping by 13.13 billion won from April to May. The coffee chain's card spending hit its lowest point at 100.39 billion won in June, before experiencing a recovery trend for three straight months. In July, Starbucks' estimated card spending climbed to 110.06 billion won, followed by an increase to 116.12 billion won in August and surpassing 120 billion won in September, its first time reaching this milestone since the downturn.