As the United Kingdom’s high-street reawakens to a “new normal”, Costa Coffee has re-imagined the conceptual design and digital customer journey of one of its flagship stores following the impact of COVID-19.
New and returning customers visiting the Costa Coffee store on Argyll St, London, will be welcomed by a refreshed look and feel, from bespoke décor, right through to a contemporary counter and an enhanced digital offering.
“The Argyll Street store is a unique space situated within an old building just off Oxford Street. It was the perfect location to trial a new store design as we continue to explore a post COVID-19 space,” says Connie Emerson, Global Retail Director at Costa Coffee.
“Our customers have shared that they’re looking for safe and comfortable space to relax and enjoy a bit of ‘normal’. But for those that are not quite ready to sit inside, an all-new solution has been designed so they can still get their favourite handcrafted Costa Coffee without entering the store. It’s really about offering our customers different choices of experience.”
A stand-out addition to the store is the newly designed street-facing counter, which will deliver a quick and efficient service for customers who are not quite ready to enter an inside space out-of-the-home. The counter spans the breadth of the inner store and curves to an outward opening, next to an outside ordering screen, allowing for streamlined customer use.
Customers looking for a speedy pick up are now able to collect pre-ordered drinks by using Costa Coffee’s mobile ordering service via the Costa Coffee club app. The coffee chain says it is perfect for busy, on-to-go coffee lovers who need to grab their favourite handcrafted drink from the new street-facing counter without having to queue or go inside. The store has also been equipped to support a delivery service enabling customers to get their favourite drink brought to them if they are unable to get to store.
For those looking to take some time out to meet a friend or sit and eat-in, the inside of the store has been designed to maximise personal space while maintaining a relaxing and welcoming environment for those wishing to unwind.
Customers visiting the store will also see it has been equipped with protective equipment and hand sanitiser stations. Both inside and outside, floor signs have been carefully placed to adhere to social distancing guidelines and high-quality Perspex screens have been installed at all counters.
“We have re-imagined a new store focus; one where visitors to the store can meet friends and take time out in our warm and relaxing seating areas, and give those looking to just grab a coffee on the go a quick and easy limited contact service through a re-designed digital-only ordering service,” Emerson says.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming new and returning customers to our Argyll St store. We hope they’ll love it as much as we do.”
For more information, visit www.costa.co.uk
