Economic Crunch: How Will It Affect Our Business?

[javaqueen]

I would love to hear what you think the repercussions of the economy will mean to the coffee industry.

I have my inclinations and will share when the discussion begins to roll.

[Brandon Ragan]

For my shop we have seen no drop in customers, but we have seen an increase in drip coffee and decline in latte drinks. We have adjusted to this by upselling flavors and pastries. It has helped. I think another way we have off set the decline in sales is by freezing coffee for our iced coffee. Customers love it and your coffee doesn't water down. We have found a mix of half regular ice and half coffee cubes works best. all coffee cubes tends to make it pretty strong after a while. oh yeah and only use mild coffee for the cubes.

[Alicia Noland]

Personally, even though are shop is still relatively new, our sales have never been higher. hope it steadily continues to rise.

[Calli Costas]

I agree with Brady. We have seen sales go down a bit, everydayers come a few times a week and been sales have increased. Hopefully everything will improve soon.

[Al Soto]

We use a cold brew system by Filtron. My customers love it. It is 70% less acidity and very smooth. I use it for my frappés and ice lattés.

Al

Brandon Ragan said:

For my shop we have seen no drop in customers, but we have seen an increase in drip coffee and decline in latte drinks. We have adjusted to this by upselling flavors and pastries. It has helped. I think another way we have off set the decline in sales is by freezing coffee for our iced coffee. Customers love it and your coffee doesn't water down. We have found a mix of half regular ice and half coffee cubes works best. all coffee cubes tends to make it pretty strong after a while. oh yeah and only use mild coffee for the cubes.

[Al Soto]

I am a new shop so I started with the market already down. Most of my customers will come once or twice a week. I have no Starbucks to deal with so that helps. But it is rough. We have good days and then we have ehh days. But what helps me the most is low overhead.

Al

Calli Costas said:

I agree with Brady. We have seen sales go down a bit, everydayers come a few times a week and been sales have increased. Hopefully everything will improve soon.

[Al Soto]

Give some background and what you think is helping.

al

Alicia Noland said:

Personally, even though are shop is still relatively new, our sales have never been higher. hope it steadily continues to rise.

[ray peck]

I am reading responses that sales are up, down and about the same, along with seeing more brew sales than espresso. Does anyone of the Answerer's have hard data? Data would make a difference in what is truly so. Other than that, it is speculative. Maybe someone could make hash marks or something. Does have to be complicated.

[ray peck]

So, here it is ONE year later. Were your right with your inclinations? 10-1-09

[A Call]

I heard this the other day. Seems timely to this thread's resurrection.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113134753

[javaqueen]

Tell me if this resonates with what you are experiencing...

We all still have customers... many of whom still come in every day, but many don't.

There are those who have changed their orders to regular coffee rather than a specialty drink every day.

Some of the routine customers have started making their coffee at home rather than coming to the coffee shop and some reserve a trip to the coffee shop for a treat rather than a daily routine.

Sales continue to be made, but the focus is different.

What do you see in your shops?