The UK Coffee Market
Continuing as one of the UK’s most robust business sectors the UK coffee shop market grew by 7.3% in turnover during 2017 to £9.6bn. A recent report from Allegra World Coffee Portal, ProjectCafé2018 UK, shows the total UK coffee shop market added 1,215 stores over the last 12 months to reach 24,061, representing 5.3% growth.
With 71% of coffee sector executives interviewed by Allegra positive about the trading environment, the industry’s coffee mood remained confident in 2017.
The UK Coffee Market Leaders
The UK’s top three coffee chains comprise 52.9% share of the total branded chain market.
Costa Coffee, Starbucks Coffee Company and Caffè Nero dominate the UK coffee shop market, with 2,326 – 956 and 675 outlets respectively.
The UK Coffee Market Artisans – the ‘5th Wave, The Business of Coffee’
The artisan scene that developed in the mid-2000s has become widespread in the UK. The market is now entering a new era of exceptional professionalism and paves the way for European coffee shop development. Dubbed the ‘5th Wave, The Business of Coffee’, this era sees high-quality chains adopting more advanced business practices to deliver boutique concepts at scale.
Specialised artisanal chains such as Gail’s, Grind and Joe & The Juice gained momentum in 2017, all embracing the ‘5th Wave’ trend to cater to more discerning and less brand-loyal millennials with premium-quality coffee and service.
Allegra anticipates the total UK coffee shop market will exceed 31,400 outlets, with a turnover of £13bn by 2022.
Allegra Group CEO, Jeffrey Young, said: “As the market matures, and we enter the ‘5th Wave’, we’re seeing a new era of leading brands competing on excellence. Key players are sharpening their focus on customer experience to stay ahead of rivals. If leading coffee shops can do this successfully, the market will remain strong – it’s time for the industry to dig deep and capitalise on the opportunities ahead.”
The UK Coffee Market Disruptor
Come in Antony Spear, MD of CAFÉLAVISTA creators of the VISTATOUCH Hot & Cold Drinks2Go Station: “People simply love coffee. People also love to gather and talk around coffee, coffee is designed to bring people together and it does.
“As such, footfall is an asset that in many instances is not fully monetised, how many hospitality venues have footfall but do not have a robust and sophisticated coffee proposition? Many in our industry provide ad hoc catering services only when required, and could maintain a service, and customer relationship all year round with coffee?
“Take the workplace for example, a strong link with colleagues is fundamental to wellbeing and productivity at work. Having a coffee while working – talking with colleagues is a social bond that brings people closer together producing better work outputs.
“The VISTATOUCH Hot & Cold Drinks2Go Station is a powerful drinks station that provides a diverse range of speciality hot & cold drinks. Many workplaces design their layout around coffee café stations or bars, why? Work space is a valuable asset and as such providing the same drinks options as a coffee café station or bar taking less space up has a distinct commercial advantage.
Coffee Shop Quality
The VISTATOUCH Hot & Cold Drinks2Go Station brings coffee shop quality and choice to the workplace. Re-defining Drinks2Go – enabling your workforce and/or your customers to enjoy coffee wherever they choose.
Tried and tested; all CAFÉLAVISTA coffee is of Barista quality, selected by coffee aficionados for coffee aficionados.
CAFÉLAVISTA Drink Centers offer a wide range of hot and cold beverages to suit every pocket and satisfy every palate.
With up to twelve selections available, including teas with or without milk, as well as the increasingly popular Chai Tea Latte, an indulgent Hot Chocolate, and refreshing cold drinks include both Chocolate and Strawberry flavoured Milkshakes –creamy, smooth and satisfying.
Using only Fairtrade sourced coffee, Rainforest Alliance and UTZ Certified, the unique blended bean to cup delivery ensures each and every cup dispensed is produced from freshly ground beans, delivering quality, consistency and value for money.
Served in CAFÉLAVISTA branded cups made of sustainable wood pulp from forests in northern Europe. Our cups are recyclable, and we’re working hard to ensure more are recovered and re-used.
Operational Efficiency
A great coffee proposition takes a variety of operational resources. Sourcing the best coffee, coffee making equipment, stock management and equipment maintenance. This can require a number of different suppliers, CAFÉLAVISTA take all this operational complexity away by suppling and managing everything.