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Tag: coffee

  • Capsule coffee sales boom in Korea

    Capsule coffee sales boom in Korea

    As more people enjoy their own coffee at home or at work, sales of capsule coffee machines are going through the roof.

    Nescafe Dolce Gusto, the largest capsule coffee machine provider in Korea, announced this week that sales of its capsule coffee machines in the first quarter this year rose 73.4 per cent over the same period of the previous year.

    However, during the same period, sales of automatic espresso machines and filter coffee machines saw increases of only 15.6 per cent and 3.5 per cent respectively.

    Market watchers believe the rising popularity of capsule coffee machines is the product of consumer demand for both taste and convenience. In particular, they attributed the rise in sales to a tendency among consumers to enjoy reasonably-priced coffee at home instead of splurging on expensive beverages at popular coffee shops, a change brought on by financial restraint in the midst of a period of economic uncertainty.

    An official at Nescafe Dolce Gusto said: “In the early stages of the Korean capsule coffee market, newly-wed couples led the way. Now, with a variety of products in terms of price and design, more and more people are showing interest.”

    Meanwhile, Nescafe Dolce Gusto is offering a trade-in promotion giving a 50 per cent discount on its new capsule coffee machine to those who exchange their old coffee machine, until June 14.

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  • Nespresso opens cafe concept

    Nespresso opens cafe concept

    Capsule coffee brand Nespresso has opened a global pilot cafe concept in Vienna, Austria.

    The cafe, located in the Mariahilferstrasse, is part of a joint venture with ‘super premium food caterer’ Do&Co. This new cafe boutique concept combines a premium coffee shop and take-away service with the Nespresso Cube, an automated retail solution for the convenient purchasing of Nespresso coffee sleeves, bringing an exclusive and personalised luxury experience to consumers.

    “The Nespresso Cafe is the latest in our pipeline of retail and service innovations. It is a true embodiment of our brand. Not only can consumers indulge in the Nespresso experience, they will also be able to purchase our Grand Cru coffees through our automated boutique, the Nespresso Cube,” said Jean-Marc Duvoisin, CEO of Nestle Nespresso SA.

    “Our partnership with Do&Co is highly complementary in terms of their expertise in providing super premium food expertise to enrich the experience.”

    Nestle says the Nespresso Cafe offers coffee lovers the opportunity to enjoy the Nespresso experience at their own pace. Combining aesthetic design with high-end technology, the cafe features high quality materials with elegant lighting and soft music to provide a refined and relaxing atmosphere.

    Consumers can taste Nespresso Grand Cru coffees and a range of over 20 permanent and seasonal coffee recipes prepared by baristas, who will also be on hand to share their knowledge of Nespresso highest quality coffees.

    Consumers can also dine on savoury and sweet premium delicacies, including salads, macaroons and pastries, specially created for the Nespresso Cafe and tailored to each time of the day.

    The Nespresso Cafe also proposes its food and beverage options as takeaway to cater to Nespresso consumers’ busy lifestyles and the desire to enjoy their favourite Nespresso coffee moment while on the go.

    It features the company’s newest retail innovation: an integrated Nespresso Cube, the first in Austria. The Cube, already implemented in five other countries in 2013 and 2014, is an automated boutique that offers the brand’s 23 Grand Cru or Limited Edition coffees and prepares any personalised multi-product order in a matter of seconds thanks to an advanced, robotised order-picking system.

    The Nespresso Cube contains up to 48,000 capsules, or 4800 sleeves, of all the Nespresso Grand Cru coffees and can service two customers at the same time. Club Members can purchase the capsules using their Nespresso Club card, other consumers can use their credit card.

    As part of Nestle’s sustainability commitment, the cafe accepts used capsules for recycling. In a statement, Nestle said the Nespresso Cafe “embodies the company’s latest step in introducing new innovative services tailored to contemporary living and shopping preferences, and satisfying consumer desire for convenience and choice while at the same time providing exceptional premium experiences”.

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  • KFC China moves into ‘premium’ coffee

    KFC China moves into ‘premium’ coffee

    t’s a hard concept to grasp: ‘quality coffee’ at a fried chicken chain.

    But KFC China is reportedly planning a serious move into the ‘premium’ coffee market, aiming to become a low cost alternative to Starbucks.

    Yum! Brands-owned KFC is the leading fast food player in China already and Starbucks has built a strong and loyal following in the market after 16 years there.

    According to a report on Bloomberg News, KFC China will start selling freshly ground hot coffee this year.

    The new coffee offer made its debut in several restaurants in December and the company is “very pleased with the results” according to CFO Pat Grismer, commending at an investors conference last week.

    So by the end of 2015, KFC China will add ‘premium’ coffee to 2500 outlets – 1000 more than the size of Starbucks’ network. It’s following in the footsteps of McDonald’s, which has McCafes at most of its 2000 Chinese outlets.

    “Trying to beat Starbucks on higher-quality coffee in China makes more sense than it might seem for KFC, which has a long-established breakfast menu featuring such local fare as congee,” Bloomberg observed.

    A premium coffee is priced at about 10 RMB (US$1.60) which is about half the price of a like cup at Starbucks.

    While it is not clear quite the range of coffee styles on offer, it is unlikely to be as broad as Starbucks, which is also gaining favour in Asia for its range of teas.

    “While Starbucks coffee is positioned as a more luxurious product, the entry of a large competitor such as KFC at a midrange price will certainly complicate those expansion plans in a country where tea is far more popular,” observed Bloomberg.

  • New Coffee Bean Asia chief

    New Coffee Bean Asia chief

    The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf  has named Andrew Nathan as senior VP for Asia Pacific.

    In what is a newly created role, Nathan will be the primary driver of the company’s growth opportunities in Asia, including responsibility for company operations in Singapore and Malaysia. He takes over duties of Victor Sassoon, co-owner and CEO of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Asia Pacific, who remains on the company’s board.

    Based in Singapore, Nathan will report to John Dawson, president and CEO.

    Nathan has nearly 20 years of experience in the specialty coffee business and with leading and growing brands in Asia. He began his international career working with the US Peace Corps and the American Red Cross and has held regional franchise and corporate market leadership positions for such global brands as Starbucks Coffee and Domino’s Pizza.

    The Coffee Bean-Andrew Nathan

     

    During his tenure as owner and CEO of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Asia Pacific, Victor Sassoon opened more than 100 stores in Singapore and Malaysia and oversaw franchise expansion to 550 stores in over 25 countries spanning Asia and the Middle East.

    In September 2013, Advent International, CDIB Capital and Mirae Asset Private Equity joined forces to acquire an equity stake in the business. Together with the Sassoon family, who remain substantial shareholders, they are working to accelerate the brand’s growth and international expansion.

    “We’ve worked very hard over nearly 20 years to grow and nurture this great brand,” said Victor Sassoon. “It’s been highly rewarding and I value the relationships I’ve developed with our franchisees, developers and team members during my tenure as CEO of Asia Pacific. I look forward to my continued involvement as a board member and have full confidence in Andrew as he takes on the leadership role in Asia Pacific.”

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  • Hawaiian coffee concept lands in Seoul

    Hawaiian coffee concept lands in Seoul

    A Hawaiian coffee concept already popular in Tokyo has now made its debut in Korea.

    Lanai Cafe is a Hawaiian Kona Coffee shop serving coffee, pancakes, desserts and drinks.

    Kona is ranked as one of the world’s top three coffee beans alongside Jamaican Blue Mountain and Kenyan Kilimanjaro. It is brewed by pour over for each cup which draws its unique aroma and flavour.

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