When it comes to espresso machine manufacturing, the industry hasn’t strayed far from its original European roots. The continent continues to house the largest number of manufacturers of professional espresso coffee machines worldwide – by a long shot. Europe is not only the largest manufacturer of espresso machines, but has also found itself as the meeting point of two different
Tag: HoReCa
The Key Factors in the Coffee Machine Distribution
One of the main thoughts of a coffee machine manufacturer is the way to find a good distributor. The type of machine supplied and the minimum quantity of coffee requested depends on different factors, according to coffee roasters interviewed. This includes the size of the coffee shop and how much coffee it sells. The potential economic return of a customer
Coffee Plus Machine: When the Distributor Matters
Espresso coffee machines arrive to the Horeca market mainly through the intermediaries that assess the requests of their customers (bar, restaurants, cafés etc.), against the costs and economic returns of the machines. These intermediaries enter agreements with manufacturers and select one or more brands of coffee machines to present to their customers. In terms of purchasing agreements, these can vary
The Business Model of Coffee Machine Distribution
The business model of the distribution of coffee machines represents an important indicator that could influence the future development of the coffee industry. The importance comes from the main debate concerning the freedom of the Horeca market to choose multi-suppliers and offer to the end user different types and qualities of coffee. That the espresso machine market is so closely
Europe and the espresso machine market 2016
According to a recent survey by CoffeeBI, customers’ main criteria when making an espresso machine purchasing decision was “price”, the “ability to provide technical assistance” and the “front staff professionalism”. These three items received a higher score among the 10 that were put to the vote among manufacturers. Other main criteria listed were the “punctuality in delivering”, as well as
13 Ways Independent Coffee Shops Can Beat The Coffee Chains
How do I compete with the chains?
We get asked this a lot, particularly at a time when an existing independent coffee bar finds itself with a new big branded neighbor. We have had a lot of experience of this over the last 10 years and in fact, we compete in our own business successfully against a much larger national chain.
But what are the key elements to effectively attract customers in the face of the big brands?
Brand Comfort
The biggest advantage the chains have over you is that the customer knows what they are going to get when they walk through their doors. The chances of them recognizing the brand or even having already visited this chain in another town are high. It’s the same reason we drink coke when we are in a foreign country, it’s the safe option.
To combat this feeling of safety you should look at your business from across the road. Does it look inviting, are there visual clues for the customers so they understand what to expect? Is your signage clear and does it say what you do and stand for? For example, do you provide take away? It’s a given that the chains serve take away coffee but it’s not always so obvious in independents. Are your windows clean and your frontage litter free and are your food hygiene standards clearly visible? All these things will either encourage or deter guests from stepping over your threshold.
Consistency
Lack of consistency is a key reason you lose your customers. Your independence is a strength but the freedom that you give your team could be your downfall.
The chains expend a lot of corporate energy in ensuring that the brand standards are adhered to throughout their estate of shops. Strict rules are in place, much training is given and audits are happening every day to ensure that all drinks are made the same way and so taste the same everywhere they operate.
In some independents the lower levels of training, the cult of personality, where each barista has their own style of drink and the turnover of staff. All work together to reduce the chances of a guest getting the same drink made in the same way. This lack of consistency will drive customers away.
The successful independents work really hard to ensure that their drinks are always consistent and that their guests can feel comfortable that the flat white they order on Tuesday will be the same as the one they drank on Monday.
Service
This should be an easy win against the chains as your guests already believe the big chains are faceless so you are halfway there. What little things can you do to that will make you stand out from your competition? [Sign in to continue]
Canadians take Tim Hortons’ coffee
OTTAWA – Tim Hortons coffee chain has greatly influenced coffee drinking culture in Canada. With nearly all streets having at least one Tim Hortons’ coffee shop which has ultimately changed Toronto into a coffee drinking city. With virtually over 80 per cent of all coffee lovers in Toronto choosing Tim Hortons for reasons ranging from low prizes compared to other cozy coffee chains to the
North America in Love for Coffee Mugs and Brewers
RICHMOND – When you say “American coffee” your mind flies to a long coffee prepared by brewing espresso with added hot water. The name was probably given by Italians during the Second World War when, on the other hand, the term Italiano is sometimes used in the United States to mean a short Americano. In Australia, instead, the terms are different: an American
Starbucks Italy to open in Milan, Verona, Venice, Rome, and Naples
MILAN – Starbucks has officially announced that they will open in Milan in 2017 in collaboration with Percassi. Although only three stores are confirmed (Milan, Verona, and Venice), it is also likely for the shop to open in Rome and Naples. Howard Schultz, Starbucks chief executive, has always told that the history of the Starbucks was inspired from how Italians create their
Italy lost in coffee business
MILAN – When you say “espresso” you mean Italy, but how much has Italy been losing in terms of business over the recent years? On February 26th Mr Schultz announced a deal with Percassi, a retail developer, to open the Starbucks’ first location in Milan. The American firm was the first to get the café culture global as well as Nestlé,