Are coffee houses losing market share to single serve machines?
The coffee industry's push to sell machines that make single-serve specialty brews has upped the amount of joe Canadians are drinking at home.
Coffee drinkers average more than two cups per day and two-thirds of them are brewing at least some of their drinks at home, according to the NPD Group, a market research firm.
41 per cent of those with single-serve machines like those manufactured by Keurig report using their coffee device more this year than last year.
So far, the big chains don't seem to be all that worried. But perhaps they should be.
Aside from the highly subjective taste factor, there are two main things that drive people to coffee shops, the first being convenience and the second being price. Steadily improving brew-at-home devices seemingly provide both.
“People are still looking for ways to spend less, and are really benefiting from the convenience and control of brewing at home,” says Robert Carter, executive director of Foodservice at The NPD Group. “The more sophisticated single-serve devices get, the more appealing making the perfect cup at home will become.”
Starbucks and Timothy's coffees are already available in K-cup format. And Tim Horton's recently said it would be following along. But will that move affect your shopping choices?
Are you drinking more home brew? Or are you still getting your caffeine fix over the counter?
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Photo: Agnes Sim
Posted by: Mark | Aug 25, 2021 7:18:52 AM
Sorry, I won't be buying a box of Tim's K-Cup.
I don't find their coffee robust in the least, so even when I'm out and about, I hold off until I find an alternative...any alternative.
Posted by: alice | Aug 25, 2021 2:43:11 PM
I think this article ignores the whole social aspect of coffee houses.
Posted by: Canuckguy | Aug 25, 2021 9:09:50 PM
@Alice
Exactly. I go to a coffee shop and have a coffee for the socialization, not coffee, I make a better coffee at home