Parts of the UK Coffee sector experienced notable growth recently, remaining resilient despite supply chain and cost challenges. The popularity of coffee shops has seen many chains expand footprint, with store count increasing 3.7% nationally in the first nine months of 2024, compared to 2023, according to our latest analysis.
However, has this translated into increased traffic through the door?
As highlighted in our latest infographic, whilst store count increased, traffic declined 0.8%, driven by like-for-like stores experiencing a 4.5% drop in the same period.
Compared to other sectors coffee competes well for traffic, where quick service Burger, Chicken and Pizza all suffered traffic decline at a greater rate.
In London the coffee sector is, on the contrary, thriving, with a positive outlook as traffic increased 2.3% even though we observed a 1.1% drop in store count, indicating pockets of buoyancy, as chains look to enhance in-store experiences to attract customers.
In the same period, UK coffee prices grew 2.5%, below 5% overall inflation, a step towards greater affordability. Despite economic pressures coffee remains a love affair for many, particularly during certain day parts.
To learn more about these trends, our solutions, and how we can help your coffee business get in touch with us today.
Meaningful Vision tracks certain performance metrics of Coffee Shops, among other categories, providing detailed and timely insights into all ingredients of marketing mix strategies.