Number of branded coffee shops increases despite recession

  Despite the recession and ongoing economic instability, the number of branded coffee and sandwich shops increased between 2009 and 2010, Research and Markets found in their “Coffee & Sandwich Shops Market Assessment 2012” report. Taking into account the top 12 brands of coffee shops and the top 12 brands of sandwich shops, the report found that there were 3,041 branded coffee shops in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, while the number of sandwich shops reached 3,748. These are dominated by the coffee chains Starbucks, Costa and Caff Nero, and the sandwich chains Greggs and Subway. In a press release, Research and Markets noted that expansion has been a key feature of the market for branded chains of late, especially outside of London and the South East of the UK, where much of the expansion had previously been based. Exclusive consumer research conducted by NEMS Market Research on behalf of Key Note suggests that only 30.7 per cent of people had cut back on visiting coffee or sandwich shops because of the recession. The report notes that this is a positive indicator for the industry and is the main reason for the expansion seen within the market in recent years. These statistics also reveal that demand is not significantly falling, at least not by enough to deter more outlets from opening. The press release notes that the popularity of coffee shops is indicated by the increasing number of retailers which now have their own in-store coffee outlet. In particular, department stores and supermarkets have been keen to include a coffee store within their outlets as a way of encouraging customers into their shops, having seen the success of coffee shops on the high street and the appeal that they provide to the general public. For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/9d19ee/coffee_sandwich