DavidsTea

DavidsTea (often stylized as DAVIDsTEA) is a Canadian specialty tea and tea accessory retailer based in Montreal, Quebec. It is the largest Canadian-based specialty tea boutique in the country, with its first store having opened in 2008.

History

DavidsTea was founded by David Segal and his cousin, retail entrepreneur Herschel Segal, who is also the founder of the clothing chain Le Château. The first DavidsTea store opened in 2008 on Queen Street in Toronto, Ontario, and the company's growth was rapid. By 2012, DavidsTea had expanded to over 75 stores across Canada and the United States.

Products

DavidsTea sells over 150 types of tea, including exclusive blends, limited edition seasonal collections, traditional straight teas and exotic infusions from around the globe. The company also sells tea accessories including teapots, tea cups, infusers, and other products, with a focus on innovative designs and quality materials.

Business Model

DavidsTea operates on a freemium business model. Customers can sample teas for free in-store before making a purchase. The company also offers a frequent steeper program, where customers earn points for purchases which can be redeemed for free tea.

Criticism and Controversy

In 2015, DavidsTea was criticized for its labor practices, particularly for its treatment of part-time workers. The company was also involved in a class action lawsuit in 2017 over alleged false and misleading statements related to its initial public offering.

See Also

• List of tea companies
• Tea in Canada