Coffee News @ a new glance

Allegra Strategies

The UK Coffee Shop Market – Are the green shoots starting to appear?

2008 marked another record year for the branded UK coffee chain market with 15% growth in turnover. Despite the doom and gloom surrounding most sectors of the economy, branded coffee shop openings continue to rise cautiously in 2009 as operators take a long-term view of the many opportunities that lie ahead. Trading has indeed been difficult over the past 3-6 months, but according to early results from Allegra’s current UK Coffee Leader Survey (April 2009) industry executives remain firmly optimistic about the future growth prospects for their firms and the sector as a whole.

And grounds for further optimism may be on the way. According to the first 40 respondents in Allegra’s survey (already a robust sample at the time of this going to print) trading conditions are expected to begin to improve over the next 3-6 months, with full recovery still not expected until after the middle of 2010.

Allegra Strategies to reveal the results of its latest study at the UK Coffee Leader Summit 2009 on 19 May in London

Allegra Strategies will reveal the full results of its latest Coffee Leader study at the forthcoming UK Coffee Leader Summit on 19 May in London. The event will be a day of lively debate, invaluable networking opportunities and sharing of knowledge and ideas, and will undoubtedly be of great relevance to all major stakeholders from across this continuing-to-grow-fast market.

To facilitate better-informed and more profitable strategic decision-making in the industry, all UK Coffee Leader Summit participants will receive a complimentary copy of Allegra’s Executive Insight Report on the UK Coffee Shop sector.

Allegra Strategies presents the UK Coffee Leader Summit 2009 agenda

Allegra Strategies has released the programme of speakers and their chosen topics for the much-anticipated UK Coffee Leader Summit, to be held in London on 19 May 2009.

Growth is positive and the industry holds a great deal of potential. It is vital to focus on the future, and each presentation will consider themes related to this. Darcy Wilson-Rymer, Managing Director of Starbucks UK & Ireland, will begin the day by sharing key insight into the UK coffee shop market, from the unique perspective of one of the industry’s most influential players . Allegra Strategies’ Managing Director, Jeffrey Young, will explore the impact of the economic downturn, and answer the burning question – “What is next for the coffee industry?” Also looking at the current climate, Gary McGann of Beyond the Bean will present on “Menu Planning for Tighter Times.”

Other key concerns for key industry players are those of talent management and training, coffee quality, and the rising standards of UK consumers in a vibrant café culture. With this in mind, Pret a Manger’s Rebecca Hemsley will discuss “How a food focused player achieves such great coffee”; World Barista Champion 2007, James Hoffman, will explore “How the coffee industry lost the public’s trust, and how great coffee can win it back”; and Marco Arrigo of Euro Food Brands will look at the importance of training staff and maintaining high coffee quality standards across the board.

The debate regarding independent vs chain operators is well-documented. Matthew Clark, Co-Owner of the highly successful Sacred Café, will initiate an exploration of this issue. He will present “The Sacred Story – Growing an independent brand in a competitive, chain dominated high street. Moving from one outlet to five without losing your care values.”

The supply of high quality, reliable equipment and packaging is essential in an increasingly mobile and competitive market. Huhtamaki’s John Young will explore the importance of this issue in his presentation on “Complimenting the perfect cup of coffee – the development of paper cups.”

The latest addition to this dynamic programme is a discussion on “Issues concerning planning consent for coffee houses on the high street”, by Chris Green of the Development Planning Partnership (DPP).

Delegates will enjoy fantastic networking opportunities throughout the day, courtesy of our sponsors. First Choice Coffee, Huhtamaki, Drink me Chai and Tropicana will be providing refreshments and the chance to experience a selection of their products.

Further information: www.ukcoffeeleadersummit.com, www.allegra.co.uk

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