The growth of Caffè Nero’s in-store sales has been parallel to growth in newer sales channels, following the expansion of delivery through partnerships with all major platforms, founder and group CEO Gerry Ford tells MCA.
In a trading update earlier this week, the coffee shop chain saw sales return to pre-pandemic levels, with UK sales in the half year to November 2022 up 17% on the same period in 2021. It is now available on all major delivery platforms, laving launched on Deliveroo in November.
“We have continued to expand our delivery options with partnerships,” Ford says. “It’s been notable that the growth of those channels has run in parallel with the increased sales in store.”
During the period, Caffè Nero also partnered with Waitrose in a linked loyalty programme that has driven its coffee at home offer, which has been further moved into brands such as Amazon and Sainsbury’s, Ford says.
“We have launched strategic partnerships with high quality brands…all these show the demand for Caffè Nero.”
The business is looking to expand while maintaining the geographic diversity of its portfolio.
“Our estate is well spread geographically across market town locations and city centres,” Ford adds. “We will continue to evaluate sites on that basis.
“Right now we are opening about one store every two weeks across the group.”
