Market insight in association witH

Costa Coffee trials new on-the-go format store in UK

With foodservice outlets reopening after the lockdown restrictions ended in the UK, consumers are still cautious and are gradually adjusting to the ‘new normal’, according to GlobalData.

While many have returned back to their normal life eating and ordering food and drinks from their favourite cafes and restaurants, there are a few consumers who are still wary of closed spaces and are not comfortable venturing out.

To address this new change in consumer behaviour, Costa Coffee has redesigned one of its stores near Oxford Street in the UK for an ‘on-the-go’ focus, by having a street-facing service counter for consumers looking to order a takeaway coffee. Customers are now able to collect pre-ordered drinks by using Costa Coffee’s mobile ordering service via the Costa Coffee club app.

“We have re-imagined a new store focus,” explains Costa Coffee’s global retail director Connie Emerson. “Visitors to the store can meet friends and take time out in our warm and relaxing seating areas, and those looking to just grab a coffee on the go [have] a quick and easy limited contact service through a re-designed digital-only ordering service.”

According to GlobalData, approximately 43% of consumers living in London say that they somewhat/strongly agree to purchase food & drink “on-the-go” more often than before, which could be good news for Costa as they are already popular with consumers.

The move comes at a time when the foodservice sector is declining, with restaurants and cafes struggling to adjust to the new guidelines while adhering to best hygiene practices to keep their employees and consumers safe.

With social distancing norms in place and other necessary hygiene precautions to follow, both restaurant owners and consumers are having a tough time adjusting to the new normal. This new store trial can definitely provide a new solution and, if successful, can be extended to other locations providing a lifeline to Costa’s dwindling sales in recent months.

For more insight and data, visit the GlobalData Consumer Intelligence Centre

While many have returned back to their normal life eating and ordering food and drinks from their favourite cafes and restaurants, there are a few consumers who are still wary of closed spaces and are not comfortable venturing out.

To address this new change in consumer behaviour, Costa Coffee has redesigned one of its stores near Oxford Street in the UK to focus mainly on an ‘on-the-go’ and delivery model, by having a street-facing service counter for consumers looking to order a takeaway coffee. Customers are now able to collect pre-ordered drinks by using Costa Coffee’s mobile ordering service via the Costa Coffee club app.

“We have re-imagined a new store focus,” explains Costa Coffee’s global retail director Connie Emerson. “Visitors to the store can meet friends and take time out in our warm and relaxing seating areas, and those looking to just grab a coffee on the go [have] a quick and easy limited contact service through a re-designed digital-only ordering service.”

According to GlobalData, approximately 43% of consumers living in London say that they somewhat/strongly agree to purchase food & drink “on-the-go” more often than before, which could be good news for Costa as they are already popular with consumers.

The move comes at a time when the foodservice sector is declining, with restaurants and cafes struggling to adjust to the new guidelines while adhering to best hygiene practices to keep their employees and consumers safe.

With social distancing norms in place and other necessary hygiene precautions to follow, both restaurant owners and consumers are having a tough time adjusting to the new normal. This new store trial can definitely provide a new solution, if successful, can be extended to other locations providing a lifeline to Costa’s dwindling sales in recent months.

For more insight and data, visit the GlobalData Consumer Intelligence Centre