The UK has officially gone coffee mad. The British Coffee Association believes we drink 98 million cups of coffee a day in the UK. That’s enough to fill a dozen Olympic swimming pools – now that would be an energising swim! And as an industry, it’s going from strength to strength. According to Allegra Strategies, the coffee shop industry in particular is estimated to be worth over £13 billion in 2023, and will keep growing at a rate of 5.8% until 2026. Here at Daltons, coffee shops, bistros and cafes are some of our most popular listing categories, with thousands available for sale right now.
Coffee is a dynamic industry, with new recipes and techniques emerging every month. Good coffee shop owners will be flexible to the interests of their consumers, and stay on top of the latest trends. So what can they look forward to in the next year? We’ve hit the grind and brewed up three coffee shop trends to try in 2024 – and a couple to avoid as well. If you are looking to sell your coffee shop online Daltons Business is the go-to place to find the right buyer – click here to find out more
Do – Reward Loyalty
Arguably the major trend in the last three years is Club Pret – the explosive subscription and membership programme from Pret-A-Manger that allows users to pay a flat monthly fee for five drinks a day, plus additional discounts. It’s worked gangbusters; in a recent press release the company says the service is now used 1.25 million times per week (up 11% year-on-year); with subscribers transacting with Pret 28 times per month, compared to just two times per month for non-subscribers.
Now, a service on this level may not be feasible for smaller coffee shops – although we can expect the other major brands to launch their own versions in the next couple of years – but is worth studying their success. In 2024, consider how you can build and reward loyalty for your repeat customers in 2024. Don’t be afraid to think outside the cup!
Don’t – Complicate Your Menu
We’ve all been there. You’re in the queue at a trendy coffee shop, staring up at a blackboard. Sure, you recognise americano on the menu – but what’s a Café Bombón? And what do you mean, do I want my chai tea dirty? Isn’t a piccolo a musical instrument?
It’s great to have a couple of interesting coffee options that will spark interest. But do your customers a favour – don’t have a menu that requires a glossary. If nothing else, it’s just going to slow you down explaining it every five minutes!
Do – Maximise your ‘Ready to Drink’ Potential
Costa are pushing their products in a new direction; expanding their Ready to Drink or ‘RTD’ range in supermarkets and other shops. While you may not be able to offer something similar to sell elsewhere, and you certainly don’t want to sell your competition’s products in your cafe- it’s worth considering the appeal of your RTD options.
Most coffee shops stock a few canned/bottled drinks, whether it’s sodas or flavoured waters. While it’s easy to head to your local stockist and pick up a crate of coca-cola, there are plenty of alternatives that might be more appealing to your customers, whether it’s for their unique flavours, health benefits, being particularly sustainable, or even just locally sourced! Why not take a look at Trip – whose CBD drinks are all the range – or socially conscious brands like Karma Drinks, Lemonaid+ and Charitea. It can also be a good way to expand your offer, if you don’t have the capacity to make your own cold brew or iced tea.
Don’t – Milk your Milk Alternatives
“In our stores, sales of alternative milks are up 11%, and we know that 79% of coffee drinkers already consume or are open to consuming plant-based milks” – Mark Cumming, Head of FMCG, Costa UK and Ireland
The UK has accepted the world of alternative milks with open arms. These days, Oat Milk is the nation’s preferred non-dairy alternative, although industry experts expect new options like Potato Milk will be sweeping the nation soon.
What is less popular is charging more for these drinks, with customers and pressure groups claiming the practice is unfair and discriminatory to those groups drawn to plant-based milks for religious or health reasons. . In 2022, widespread pressure caused Starbucks to drop their surcharge on alternative milks, and companies like Pret have done the same. But lots of smaller chains still charge an arm and a leg for a nut or a seed – and it’s these charges that can turn away customers, especially those considering a spontaneous purchase.
While it’s reasonable to charge a little more if it costs you a little more, don’t see milk alternatives as a money-making opportunity!
Do – Get On Board With #Coffeetok
It’s hard to argue with 4 billion views. For a growing portion of the internet, the brewing of artisanal coffee is must-watch online content. There’s a few things to learn from here. One – it’s a great place to grow your profile, and you’ve got everything you need to get started. Modern phones can produce fantastic video content, and your coffee shop should already have great lighting to make your drinks look extra appealing!
Two – looking up coffee on social media is a great place to stay up on the latest trends. It’s not all traditional barista brewing either – old-school methods like pour over and drip coffee are incredibly popular with coffee aficionados. So get scrolling and try out some of these options for the coffee snobs in your customer base!
Hopefully we’ve given you some ideas for trends to watch for in 2024 – and some traps to avoid! Now why not take a look here at some of the fantastic coffee shop businesses available for sale here at Daltons?
For more help on how to find the best coffee shop to buy for you check out our other guide here!
For help selling your coffee shop check out our guide here
