Commenting on the campaign, Coffee Planet CEO Jamie Brown said:

“Reflecting on our Brewing Futures program, I’m reminded why we do what we do at Coffee Planet: to create real opportunities for those passionate about coffee and ready to build a career in it. Seeing the energy and determination in our trainees has only strengthened our mission: to empower aspiring baristas and build a future where opportunity and specialty coffee go hand in hand.”

The initiative is designed to provide comprehensive, hands-on training, guided by seasoned coffee professionals with decades of experience. From mastering the basics of coffee brewing to advanced barista techniques, the program is tailored to inspire confidence and excellence in each participant.

Selected graduates will have the opportunity to join Coffee Planet’s cafes, ensuring the program directly contributes to both community and brand growth.

Recognised for its excellence in the industry, Coffee Planet was named a “UAE Superbrand” at the 19th Annual Superbrands Tribute at Dubai Festival City in November 2023. The company also received four industry awards in the Middle East, highlighting its commitment to delivering exceptional coffee experiences.

The ‘Brewing Futures’ program marks a significant step in Coffee Planet’s mission to spread specialty coffee culture while providing meaningful opportunities to the local community. With more sessions planned, the initiative continues to shape the next generation of coffee professionals and make specialty coffee more accessible to all.

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“This campaign resonates deeply with me because it highlights the rich history and connection we share as a community over a simple cup of coffee,” said third-generation Community Coffee owner Donna Saurage. “It reminds me that every sip is not just about the beverage, but about the relationships and values that bind us together.”

The campaign commercial opens with an image of the F.L. and H.N. Saurage General Merchandise Store, which was run by Community Coffee founder Henry Norman “Cap” Saurage and his brother. Cap blended coffee for store customers according to his own secret recipe — a recipe that became Community Coffee in 1919. After five generations,​ Cap’s family is still roasting smooth, rich coffee that builds community​ one cup at a time.​

“Sharing a cup of coffee with an old neighbour or a new friend is as relevant and rewarding today as it was in the past,” said fourth-generation owner Matt Saurage. “So often, it’s through conversations over coffee that people share ideas, relationships are built and communities are inspired.” 

Kicking off the partnership, the campaign was produced by TMA, a marketing and creative agency based in Dallas and aims to connect Community Coffee with a new generation of coffee drinkers while paying respect to those that came before.

The campaign spotlights two of Community’s best-selling coffees: Breakfast Blend and the year-round Mardi Gras King Cake, a flavoured coffee that celebrates the brand’s Louisiana heritage.

Community Coffee’s commitment to giving back is referenced in the commercial’s 1980s classroom scene. Since 1988, the Community Cash for Schools program has raised over USD $8.5 million for students and teachers by enabling schools to redeem product proofs of purchase for funds. The company also recognises community leaders through the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Community Leader Award, which celebrates educators and administrators positively impacting student-athletes, and the H. Norman Saurage III Service Award, established in partnership with Dream Teachers to honor exceptional Louisiana teachers.

In addition to education, Community Coffee gives back to military service members and disaster relief while being a proud founding member of World Coffee Research.

To view the “Generations’ campaign, click here. To learn more about Community Coffee, visit www.communitycoffee.com.

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The above quote is from Chris Costagli, vice president of food insights lead at Nielsen IQ (NIQ), during his recent National Coffee Association (NCA) webinar, “Mastering Omnichannel Sales in the Coffee Industry” in which he informed attendees that more than half of all food and beverage unit sales originate in the food channel, but in the past year, 3.6 billion units disappeared from the in-store food channel, 67% of which was due to lost sales. Furthermore, the in-store food channel lost 2.41 billion units that completely disappeared from the FMCG industry altogether.

The lost sales can be attributed to consumers:

• Scaling back to reduce spending
• Buying less due to GLP-1s (weight loss drugs)
• More away-from-home consumption

Rising food prices remain top of mind for shoppers so they are buying less. Costagli said the F&B sales in the food channel have trended negatively over the past few years, falling 1.8% in the last year. As such, consumers are taking action to manage spend, and most shoppers have made changes to how they shop to save money — 87% have changed how they shop to save money, and they are using an average 3.9 strategies to do so (such as switching to lower-priced options, buying their favourite brands only when on sale, buying the brand that is on sale, buying essential items only, etc.).

And while 67% of in-store food channel unit loss is due to discontinued purchases, 34% of in-store food channel lost units are unaccounted for. Costagli explained that the ‘lost units’ shifted to other channels, the majority of which were purchased online. “Those shifting trends plus online growth underscore the importance of an omni strategy,” he said, adding that online sales grew 17% over the past year, driven by growth in every department across the store.

Consumers are shopping online – 85% order from pure play online retailers for home delivery and 69% order delivery from hypermarket, supermarket, mass stores – and they are experimenting with emerging retailers like TikTok. “The power of social media is significant and is something that should be used in omnichannel marketing,” Costagli said, adding that consumers using TikTok Shop are being introduced to new brands they did not already know, creating opportunity for some manufacturers and more competition for others. He shared that 62% of TikTok users are familiar with the TikTok shop experience and another 62% of TikTok users are open to making a purchase through TikTok Shop.

In online outlets like TikTok, influencers can have a huge impact, so Costagli suggested brands/manufacturers should lean into social platforms to drive awareness and capitalize on viral opportunities. During the webinar, he highlighted several ‘coffee influencers’ such as Morgan, the 2022 U.S. Barista Championship winner who is teaching 6.2 million TikTokers how to create the best coffee, while Cosette, a TikTok creator who has grown her page to 781.7K followers by sharing how she makes barista-style lattes at home for a fraction of the price.

Social shopping is in its infancy but already its showing strong signs of growth. NIQ revealed that shopping on TikTok generated >$2 billion in CPG sales over the past year. Health and performance food products account for nearly a quarter of TikTok food sales, driven by influencers showcasing health and wellness products.

Gen Z shoppers are more likely to be using third party apps to shop online and they believe AI-enabled tools provide helpful benefits that support their shopping needs. Hence, the smartphone’s role in shopping is evolving and influencing decision making more than ever. “Shoppers are turning to AI for everything from meal planning to diet advice and party inspiration. AI has the potential to influence what consumers buy and where they shop. Within seconds ChatGPT can give consumers product recommendations, suggestions on where to shop and much more,” Costagli explained, adding, “that has real implications for retailers and manufacturers: is AI recommending your brand or your stores?”

Simplicity and trust are paramount when it comes to shopping online. And with only eight seconds to engage online shoppers, it is critical that product information is accurate with the most important callouts. “Above all else, the online shopping experience must be optimized for a ‘Mobile First’ consumer,” said Costagli. NIQ research found that when shopping online:

• 77% of shoppers expect the online product titles to be more specific and transparent,
• 76% of shoppers prefer to have enhanced product content available when purchasing online,
• 90% of online buyers say that primary image quality is the most important factor in an online sale.

Costagli advised brands/manufacturers to create the perfect online store by partnering closely with retail partners and to drive online performance through availability, visibility, and content attractiveness. “Getting the online experience right for shoppers translates into growth.”

Coffee benefitting from the omni space — in fact, a quarter of coffee is sold online. Costagli shared that retailers sold nearly $6 billion worth of coffee online over the past year, up approximately 13%.

“The limits are endless, there are so many options online,” he said. “An omni strategy for coffee can tap into subscription services and direct-to-consumer and can benefit from a strong social media presence. Social media platforms like TikTok Shop are exposing consumers to brands and varieties not found in traditional retailers. This means that the competition for manufacturers is even stronger, including competitors that might not be on your radar.”

Meeting consumers online is a valuable proposition for retailers and manufacturers alike. Consumers are spending more online for coffee than they do in-store and they are buying more. Furthermore, online coffee shoppers are buying more units per occasion which suggests more variety seeking. Costagli advises retailers and manufacturers to promote incremental unit purchasing with wider selection and with purchase incentives.

According to NIQ, non-traditional channels are showing 31% growth in units per shopping occasion. Like TikTok Shop, non-traditional online channels are giving shoppers variety. For coffee drinkers, this means new experiences and flavours. For manufacturers this underscores the importance of innovation, especially in traditional retail both online and off.

Online coffee buyers are more affluent than those who buy coffee in brick ‘n mortar stores. Gen X, millennial and Gen Z consumers all engage differently so it’s essential to know your customer base, said Costagli and asked, “are your brands optimized online to reach coffee buyers where they are?”

No matter the type of site, it’s a fact that consumers are buying coffee online. To find success online, Costagli stressed that manufacturers must prioritize optimizing their search engine visibility and strengthening their social media presence to stay competitive and drive sales. “Navigating today’s market requires a relentless focus on the consumer.”

Vanessa L Facenda, editor, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.
Keep in touch via email: vanessa@bellpublishing.com Twitter: @TCTradeJournal or LinkedIn: Tea & Coffee Trade Journal

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For nearly three decades, Kicking Horse Coffee has stood for uncompromising ethics, bold flavours and an unapologetic attitude. The beloved Canadian brand from the Rockies has built a loyal following by crafting its coffee in partnership with Fairtrade farmers who pour pride into every bean. Now, Kicking Horse is kicking things up a notch.

To meet growing demand, Kicking Horse has teamed up with Keurig to bring its premium, Fairtrade, and organic blends to more homes across North America. Now available in Kick Ass (Dark Roast), Three Sisters (Medium Roast), and Happy Camper (Medium Roast), these K-Cups offer the same rich, bold flavour Kicking Horse fans love — crafted to match the full-bodied experience of a traditional pour-over, in a convenient format.

Its new “Kickstart Your Heart” campaign is a first for the brand and taps into the bold and fearless essence of Kicking Horse Coffee. Featuring a playful visual of a donkey riding a motorcycle (and set to Mötley Crüe’s “Kickstart My Heart”), it reflects how coffee powers action and productivity in a fresh, irreverent way. The campaign reflects CMO Lori Hatcher-Hillier’s ethos: “Coffee is the conduit to getting s*** done every day.”

The story behind Kicking Horse is as rich as their beans. Founded in Invermere, BC, the brand is committed to empowering farmers, ensuring every cup tells a story of integrity and grit. Through Fairtrade partnerships, they aim to support coffee producers by facilitating fair compensation, which helps invest in their communities and improve livelihoods through access to education, healthcare, and sustainable practices.

The full product range is now available on the Kicking Horse Coffee website and at major retailers across Canada. The MSRP is CAD $25.99 for 24ct and CAD $12.99 for 10ct.

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This is where Lavazza steps in, celebrating the essence of human experience. The brand achieves this goal with a light-hearted, cheerful, and moving story that hits all the right notes. The hero of the film is Luigi, a sentient little robot that serves freshly brewed coffee. Every day, Luigi witnesses the reactions of pure pleasure his human colleagues have when drinking their Lavazza coffees, until he develops the secret dream of tasting it too. Will a robot be successful in his attempt to feel what humans feel?

The two actors bring all their humour and charm to the story, interacting and having fun with Luigi in multiple episodes and other contents that will be spread across different media channels and countries. The campaign entails a multi-asset release led by a 90” introductory long format film, followed by new episodes and a plethora of different cuts landing on TV and social platforms.

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In full, the new range includes:

• NEW Peppermint & Spearmint Organic Infusion (Available in Waitrose, Ocado, and Sainsbury’s)
• NEW Chamomile & Peach Organic Infusion (Available in Ocado and Sainsbury’s)
• NEW Blackcurrant & Blueberry & Organic Infusion (Available in Waitrose, Ocado, and Sainsbury’s)
• NEW Orange & Turmeric Organic Infusion (Available in Ocado)

Each blend is made from high-quality natural ingredients, sourced from organic farms. True to the Clipper brand, no harmful pesticides or chemicals are used across the entire supply chain and each product is fully organic. The plant-based and biodegradable tea bags are also unbleached.

By targeting key need states with signposts such as ‘soothing’, ‘uplifting’ and ‘unwinding’, the range meets increased demand for functional ingredients that support wellness.

The fastest-growing in the Infusions segment, Clipper is boasting value growth up 55% over the past year, outperforming the category at significant scale.

Hannah Williams, Clipper Teas senior brand manager at Ecotone UK, said, “Our Infusions have always performed well and resonated with consumers, but more recently, we’ve gained a larger share of the market segment thanks to growing interest in Clipper’s strong ethical credentials such as our organic and B Corp certifications. Our Infusions aren’t just delicious, but also fully organic and natural when compared to the competition – while also making organic infusions more accessible. It’s the full package.

“As a pioneer in ethical tea and the No.1 sustainable brand in tea via The Good Shopping Guide, we want to keep growing our organic infusions to ensure sustainable farming becomes the norm in tea production. We believe these flavours will have strong consumer appeal: especially with our vibrant new packaging designs that stand out on shelf. If you’re choosing Clipper, you’re choosing a good tea – one that’s organic, natural and supports shopper well-being.”

Clipper has also reimagined the packs of some of its most popular Infusions with a bright and impactful packaging design and more direct product names. It has renamed popular blends: Snore & Peace, now called Sleep Time and award-winning Restoring Roots, now called Ginger & Turmeric. Both are available at Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco and have an RRP of GBP £3.40.

Clipper was the first tea brand to launch unbleached, non-GM and fully biodegradable tea bags. Its infusions are Soil Association certified, and even the string is organic. The packaging for the new infusions is also fully recyclable – including the paper envelopes that enclose each tea bag.

All of Clipper’s teas are blended and packed in its factory in Beaminster, Dorset, which the brand has called home for 40 years this year.

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The core packaging design features bold red, stark black, and sharp lines that the California, US-based company has used much in its branding previously. Central to the new design is the addition of sun rays emanating from the centre, symbolising “Equator’s sense of optimism and forward momentum,” according to the company.

“We wanted our new packaging to not only reflect our brand’s heritage but also convey our vision for the future,” said Shelby Colley, head of marketing at Equator Coffees. “The introduction of sun rays signifies our commitment to growth, innovation, and embracing what lies ahead as we enter our third decade and beyond.”

In addition to the visual updates, Equator Coffees has introduced a new colour system and label structure to provide customers with more information about each coffee variety. Inspired by the structure of a ledger, the redesigned labels utilise colour to differentiate between blends, single origins, espressos, decafs, and selections from the Chef’s Collection. Roast profiles and detailed variety and processing method information have also been added, catering to both seasoned coffee enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

The redesign was done in partnership with designer, Swasti Mittal, who helped shape the new packaging to align with the brand’s future direction.

“We are thrilled to have partnered with Swasti on this journey,” added Colley. “Her creativity and attention to detail were instrumental in bringing our vision to life, and we couldn’t be happier with the result.”

Equator Coffees’ new packaging design is now available across its product range.

For more information about Equator Coffees and its new packaging design, visit equatorcoffees.com.

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We were given a tour of the facility, with its state-of-the-art materials and component testing laboratory, dedicated processing area and pilot manufacturing facility, which allows the company to simulate its customers’ factory conditions as well as test shelf life in temperature controlled stores. Eviosys was also proud to show off the manufacturing process for its Ecopeel innovation, which offers customers a lighter, easy-to-open packaging format. Eviosys also had on display its Orbit and Horizon technology, the former which allows for easier-to-open screw top jars, and the latter an impressively thin and unobtrusive resealable metal lid, allowing for a 100% metal packaging format and therefore improved recyclability.

The latter piqued my interest especially, in regards to tea and coffee applications. I have seen a fair amount of coffee, particularly instant coffee, sold in tins on the shelves, but with plastic lids. While this is better than a completely plastic tub, and certainly a step in the right direction, I can’t help but think they are so close to a truly sustainable option. The metal lid could be recycled alongside the tin, and made into something new again and again, with no degradation of quality. Meanwhile, plastic, while certain types are recyclable, the quality and application opportunities decrease the more it is done so. The visual appeal of an all metal can is also something that offers further benefit. Companies such as Eviosys can offer myriad ways to finish and decorate metal packaging, from contrasting gloss and matte areas, embossing, debossing, and holographic foils, as the company demonstrated yesterday. The image attached to this blog is one of the promotional examples Eviosys gave of its capabilities.

Specialty tea and coffee in particular, already utilises metal packaging to some extent, as it offers valuable resealable capabilities, as well as a quality feel. Tins have the fabulous quality of not just being infinitely recyclable, but infinitely reusable in their original format. I can’t be the only one who has an extensive collection of various tins alongside my hoard of jars, for storing biscuits, grains, nuts, lentils, anything from a packet that I have opened and want to keep stored fresh, tidy and stackable.

Chatting to Isabelle Le Graët, Eviosys marketing, communication and sustainability manager, yesterday, she touched on a report that Eviosys is due to publish soon about how consumers use their metal packaging and the role they play within the home. The report showed that 80% of consumers keep tins after purchase. This presents a phenomenal opportunity for brands to not only enter consumers’ homes, but to remain in them for potentially years to come, their packaging being got out of the cupboard and reused time and time again. Every time a consumer uses a brand’s tin, they are being reminded of the brand, the product, hopefully the enjoyment they got out of drinking the tea or coffee that the tin contained, and perhaps even the fond memory of the receipt of the tin if it was a gift. Highly decorative tins are much more likely to be kept and reused, and where the specialty tea and coffee industry is striving to offer quality and a memorable experience to consumers’ interaction with their products, a beautiful and repeatedly functional tin is an exciting as well as sustainable opportunity to expand this objective.

The concept has already been utilised in some categories for refillable solutions, where consumers buy a tin, and then going forward only need to buy bags or packets of their products to refill their tins, or some places even have opportunities for customers to bring their tin to be refilled. This is already beginning to have applications in the tea and coffee industry.

It will be interesting to see how metal packaging applications evolve within the tea and coffee segment, particularly for specialty, and how brands will utilise what is a great opportunity for memorable branding, consumer experiences, and unparalleled sustainability.

• Kathryn Brand, associate editor, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.
  Keep in touch via email: kathryn@bellpublishing.com Twitter: @TCTradeJournal or LinkedIn: Tea & Coffee Trade Journal

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Inside the studio, Suh will also open Urban Oasis– a late-night tea house serving unique ceremonial tea blends, providing guests with an environment to reflect, connect, and experience the transformative power of artistic self-expression.

With a menu that features a tea-sommelier-curated selection of tea, mocktails, and small bites, Urban Oasis will be opening to the public in October.

The community space — designed with the help of the interior designer duo gry space (who also designed LA’s rkyn cafe and kodō) to mirror a zen garden — will also host various events like evening teas and reflections, sound baths and more.

David Suh has developed a cumulative audience of more than 6.4 million rooted in encouraging people to unapologetically celebrate themselves. Suh — who moved to the US from Seoul in 2013 — is an “evangelist of the idea that there’s no such thing as not being photogenic” (LA Times) and offers a safe haven for everyday people to get in front of the camera and “reclaim their inner and outer beauty.”

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Bizzy Cold Brew’s elevated rebrand, which was designed by Los Angeles-based creative agency Day Job, now clearly communicates the quality of its product line, from its craft-brewed process, stronger taste, high caffeine content and zero sugar in all its brews. Unlike competitors who hide or omit caffeine content from bottles, Bizzy Cold Brew moved its caffeine content to the front of the bottle, directly on the pour spot, to be more transparent with consumers about caffeine per serving. The shape of the bottle has also been changed to improve pourability for its consumers.

“We wanted our new look to elevate our visual identity and clearly communicate our craft product. With nods to an era when quality was the rule and not the exception, Bizzy Cold Brew’s superior taste and higher caffeine content makes it the best value for coffee lovers,” said Alex French, CEO and co-founder of Bizzy Cold Brew. “Bizzy Cold Brew is an affordable luxury and we’re excited that the branding now embodies our values and will stand out on shelves.”

Bizzy Cold Brew’s product lineup includes a variety of craft-brewed products, from unsweetened ready-to-drink, multi-serve bottles of cold brew to coarse grounds that can be brewed at home and convenient, eco-friendly brew bags. Bizzy Cold Brew is crafted using a unique brew process to ensure the smoothest taste and highest caffeine, with USDA Certified Organic Arabica coffee beans from Central and South America.

The Minneapolis, Minnesota-based brand is also committed to sustainable practices in all areas of its operations. The brand’s cold brew bottles are made of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic (excluding the cap) and it composts spent coffee grounds (650,000 pounds last year alone). Bizzy Cold Brew recycles and repurposes 100% of its burlap coffee bean sacks and its roaster utilises after-burner technology to eliminate airborne emissions from roasting.

Bizzy Cold Brew’s RTD products are available in more than 5,000 grocery stores across the United States. Its cold brew bags and grounds are also available for purchase on the Bizzy Cold Brew website and Amazon.com.

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