There’s nothing quite like a buzzing café.
It’s all about the smell of beans, brews, and baked goods in the air.
As a coffee shop owner, your business has the potential of becoming a community hub, where you can host open mics, art exhibits, and wine tastings. Decorate with unique designs. And establish your own signature service and style.
But at the end of the day, to develop a loyal clientele, you have to give the people what they want; great coffee and beverages made the right way. This means staying on top of the latest trends, keeping your finger on the pulse, and knowing what kinds of products your target market is leaning towards.
Play Fair
Fairtrade was a response to the struggles of Mexican coffee farmers when prices plummeted in 1988.
Also, the average coffee farmer only makes a few dollars a day.
As such, Fairtrade was implemented so farmers would receive the Fairtrade Minimum Price as a means to cover costs of production and provide security when market prices sank too low. When the market price eclipses the Fairtrade Minimum Price level, farmers receive the applicable level of pay.
People are very aware of social issues in our current era, where a wealth of worldly information is available at the click of the button.
Similar to sustainability practices, on principle, potential customers want to see that you have Fairtrade certification.
Sustainability is Everything
It’s 2019. We’re in a day and age where various atmospheric and climate-related doomsdays are regularly bandied about by experts and pundits.
And to be honest, it’s an all-around good thing to only purchase sustainably grown beans. Do the research that ensures your product comes from organically grown coffee trees that don’t cause deforestation or land/water erosion. Frankly, most coffee consumers are going to expect that you’re “above board,” so to speak. If not, they won’t be happy.
An important part of going “green” is to strive for a zero-plastic coffee shop and while you’re at it, ditch that paper or plastic punch-card and make the switch to a digital stamp card with the help of Loopy Loyalty.
Elevate Your Flavors
It’s a misconception that all coffee drinkers are snobs. They just appreciate drinking high-quality gourmet coffee and have the product knowledge and expertise that comes with good taste.
Keep in mind, gourmet isn’t just the taste and smell. It’s also the packaging. If you package and sell your own coffee, make sure it’s visual appearance matches the sophistication and beauty of the flavors.
The world is leaning more towards “craft,” whether it’s food, beer, or coffee. Unlike years past where beans and grounds were scarcely available, you can find delicious coffee almost anywhere.
Fresh-Faced and Full-Bodied
We no longer live in a time where the younger market only wants to drink Coca-Cola and Fruit Punch. Modern whippersnappers seek more depth from their beverages.
The proof is in the numbers. According to the National Coffee Association, 44% of the world’s coffee consumers are fresh-faced millennials. Though, it gets even younger than that.
Honestly, all it takes is one visit to a café to notice that the fastest growing coffee-drinking demographic is between 13 and 18-years-old. When you really think about it, a lot of the social justice marketing initiatives we’ve discussed are likely a result of a younger target market.
Frappes and Lattés
Speaking of younger generations, you’ll need to bridge the taste-bud gap until those previously discussed 13-year-olds are ready for the boldness and bitterness of a full-bodied blend.
Offer a vast selection of sweeter coffee drinks like frappes and lattés. Now, these are everywhere and the market is saturated. Go café to café and see what flavors are out there, then try to think of an innovative coffee shake.
Just remember that creativity is one thing, but nobody wants to drink a fish-flavored frappe.
Cold Coffee is Cool
The latest rage on the market is cold brew.
Cold Brew is said to cut down on bitterness and acidity while packing a bigger caffeinated punch. Furthermore, it’s conducive to bulk production, so it’s affordable and efficient for your shop.
As a barista with a flair for excitement, it’ll excite you to know that you can experiment with unique flavors in a cold brew due to the lack of acidity and bitterness.
Funnily enough, don’t be surprised if something like a cold brewed soda finds its way onto the market during 2019.
Conclusion: Looking to Make Waves? Then Stay Ahead of the Coffee Game
Is your coffee shop thriving the way it could be?
Even if you’re doing well, there’s always room for improvement. To keep those good times rolling, you’ll need to stay on top of the latest coffee trends.
