Coffee Trends in 2015

Posted on: 2015-06-18 12:00 AM

 
Coffee Trends in 2015
Coffee shops are a rising star in the specialty eatery industry, offering brewed coffee and specialty espresso drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. Success is driven by consumer taste and income level, as well as shop location and atmosphere. Small coffee shops offering first-class service and a high-quality product can be effective competitors in a market that continues to grow.
Sales
Seventy percent of coffee sales in the United States is actualized by the 50 leading providers, according to a report conducted by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Coffee sales can be lucrative, with operating income representing 2.5 percent of net sales and a gross margin at about 85 percent.
Coffee shop sales flourish as a result of the efforts of enthusiastic employees who possess strong work ethics; these workers are responsible for garnering about $50,000 per worker in annual sales, as noted by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Growth
Coffee drinks are immensely popular in the United States, as coffee consumption represents 75 percent of all caffeine absorbed in this country. This explains in part the 7 percent annual growth rate of coffee shops, and represents the fastest growing segment in the food service industry. In 2012, 83 of Americans reported drinking coffee, equating to a 5 percent growth over 2011.
Trends
Ownership of coffee shops featuring single-cup brewers is trending upward, represented by an increase to 12 percent according to a 2013 study.  Single-cup brewing equipment offers convenience, freshness and variety -- factors that can keep costs down by brewing only what is necessary for each sale.
Sales also continue to rise for specialty espresso drinks as more coffee shops invest in appropriate equipment to offer these more profitable options. According to food service resource QSR, in excess of 30 million Americans drink specialty coffee drinks on a daily basis.
Forecast
Coffee leaf availability and prices may vary from year to year -- for example, if an insect infestation in Central America leads to a decrease in production. Additionally, a decrease in the supply of coffee to the U.S. may occur due to heavy coffee exports occurring in countries such as Vietnam, as noted by I & M Smith, coffee and tea commodity traders. As a consequence, the U.S. market may experience an increase in cost for specific types of coffee as they become more difficult to acquire and coffee fans may witness a future increase in the prices of their favorite drinks.