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The latest coffee industry news, analysis, and opinions from around the world.
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The latest coffee industry news, analysis, and opinions from around the world.
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The myth of differentiation in coffee â are we all just drinking the same thing?
The myth of differentiation in coffee â are we all just drinking the same thing?
Specialty coffee bags often promise radical difference â woman-owned, regenerative, youth-led, competition grade â yet the coffee beans often come from the same farms, the same harvests, sometimes even the same lots. Coffee sells itself as endlessly particular. The reality is more convergent. Over 40% of coffee consumers say ethical or environmental claims influence their purchases. The same lot can be positioned differently depending on who is buying.
Can more intentional service deliver the value todayâs coffee drinkers want?
Can more intentional service deliver the value todayâs coffee drinkers want?
Looking back, specialty coffee has long defined itself by what it has rejected. For a long time, table service was out and queues, counter ordering and a studied informality were in. The barista was central to the third wave experience. To be served at the table would have broken that intimacy and, worse, made coffee feel like dining. As coffee prices rise and home brewing improves, cafĂ©s are under pressure to justify the outing. In many cities, a flat white now costs as much as a glass of wine, shifting value from product to experience. Service is becoming the differentiator â 78% of millennials prefer spending on experiences rather than goods.
Is coffee completely cashless?
Is coffee completely cashless?
For years, the coffee bar has been a testing ground for consumer habits. Plant milks, WiFi, iced drinks, matcha, drive-thru, and mobile ordering are just some of the trends weâve seen. Now â and largely since the pandemic â cafĂ©s are navigating another shift: the move toward cashless payments. More shops are putting up âcard onlyâ signs, citing speed, hygiene and safety. Cash is fading fast â in Europe itâs fallen from 79% to 59% of in-store payments, with cashless transactions set to triple by 2030. Handling notes can eat up 4-15% per transaction, making card-only a good business option. But even as cafĂ©s digitise, 3% of UK adults remain cash-dependent.
Creativity on pause: why coffee feels stuck
Creativity on pause: why coffee feels stuck
Against a background of global chaos, coffee industry news lately has been fairly predictable. The same stories recur: sustainability certifications, modest price rises, cautious store openings, incremental equipment upgrades. The industry is busy â but rarely surprising. Consolidation and cost pressure have made coffee cautious. Food giants spend just 0.4% of revenue on R&D, preferring acquisitions to experimentation. With coffee prices up 20%+ in the US since 2020, consumers are simplifying orders and sticking to familiar brands.
From convenience to meaningful experience â the endless coffee shop shuffle
From convenience to meaningful experience â the endless coffee shop shuffle
Coffee is a complex beverage that has long been associated with both functionality and ritual, productivity and connection, caffeine kick and flavour notes. It follows that, depending on culture, context and economic moment, expectations of both the drink and the spaces that serve it continually oscillate â cycling between convenience and the pursuit of a more meaningful experience. Drive-through chains like Dutch Bros continue to grow as consumers prioritise convenience. But connection still matters to coffee consumers. A survey highlights that 94% of consumers say companies that build authentic human connection gain a long-term competitive edge.
Pod wars continue â EU legacy brands take on the US
Pod wars continue â EU legacy brands take on the US
Convenience has long been at the heart of Americaâs single-serve coffee market, with Keurigâs K-Cup system leading the way. In 2024 Keurig reportedly controlled more than 80% of the US pod market â but Nespresso and Illy are gaining ground. Illy is growing at double digits in the US through premium positioning â while Nespresso opened a multi-floor âexperience cathedralâ in Manhattan. Pods have always targeted convenience in the US, but Nespresso, Illy and Lavazza are targeting premium positioning and lifestyle. The pod wars continue.
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