Cafédirect Unveils Its Biggest Out-of-Home Refresh Yet

Leading ethical coffee brand Cafédirect has announced the most significant transformation of its out-of-home offering to date, introducing a simpler product range, refreshed packaging and a clearer emphasis on quality, provenance and responsible sourcing.

The updated proposition has been designed around the practical needs of hospitality and workplace operators. Cafédirect says it recognised that businesses require coffee ranges that are easy to understand and purchase, while still delivering the consistent quality increasingly expected by customers.

The out-of-home coffee market has changed dramatically over the past decade. Consumers now expect an enjoyable, high-quality cup of coffee in almost every setting, from cafés and hotels to workplaces, universities, bars and transport hubs.

At the same time, ethical consumerism has moved closer to the mainstream. Customers are not simply interested in how coffee tastes; many also want to know where it came from and whether the people who grew it were treated fairly.

Cafédirect has spent over 30 years championing responsible coffee sourcing. Its refreshed packaging will make those ethical credentials more visible, helping operators communicate the story behind the coffee they serve.

Eleanor Morris, Cafédirect’s Out-of-Home Trade Marketing Manager, told That's Business that customers now expect exceptional coffee wherever they are and want “quality without compromise”.

She added operators need coffee that is consistently delicious and which they can feel proud to serve. Cafédirect believes long-term partnerships with farmers can help farming communities build more prosperous and resilient futures while securing supplies of quality coffee for future generations.

The simplified portfolio includes House Espresso, supplied as a 1kg blend and developed specifically for bean-to-cup machines. It is intended to provide a consistent, high-quality espresso in venues where convenience and reliability are essential.

House Blend Filter Coffee is available in 60g and 180g sachets, recognising the needs of high-volume outlets wanting to serve dependable filter coffee efficiently.

A 100% Arabica Espresso Blend, supplied in 1kg packs, has been created for businesses operating traditional espresso machines. Meanwhile, the Single Origin Colombian Filter Coffee offers a more premium brewed coffee option for operators wishing to broaden their menu.

For hospitality businesses, choosing a streamlined coffee range can simplify staff training, stock management and purchasing decisions. Cafédirect’s refresh also gives operators an opportunity to respond to growing customer interest in provenance and social responsibility.

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, a good cup of coffee is no longer merely an extra. It can be an important part of the customer experience, and the values behind it may be almost as important as the flavour.

To learn more please visit https://www.cafedirect.co.uk

How Independent Coffee Shops can fight back against the big boys

Best Coffee Beans, which launched the Ethical Coffee Company brand back in 2007 have launched a new coffee, with the name Italian Coffee Shop, which is aimed at offering support to independent coffee shops to enable them to compete on an equal footing with the larger chains, as the British love affair with good coffee continues to grow.

The new Italian Coffee Shop espresso is a blend from three continents to produce a full bodied and flavoursome Italian style espresso which produces exceptional Cappuccinos, Lattes and Flat Whites, the UK’s favourite coffee drinks.

Flavour has not been the only consideration, with coffee prices soaring over the past twelve months, the increasing cost has also been a concern for independent coffee shops fighting to attract customers away from the chains. "We have developed an espresso blend which takes advantage of long established relationships with coffee farms", points out Paul Siddall, the Managing Director of Best Coffee Beans, "this lets us to offer a much better price to our customers, as well as a great tasting high quality coffee which is freshly roasted here in the UK"

One of the first coffee shops to benefit from the new espresso launched at the beginning of April 2011, is Martha’s Coffee House at Moreton-in-Marsh in the Cotswolds. Pam Newman, who owns the family business told That's Business: "Our customers love the Italian Coffee Shop espresso. We have been using an established brand for some time, but needed something that gave us the edge in a competitive environment."

Italian Coffee Shop is available now in bean form, online from Best Coffee Beans in Cheltenham at www.BestCoffeeBeans.co.uk together with point of sale materials for coffee shops.