Embracing new market realities is essential

Coffee shops must play to their strengths, understand their customers’ needs and embrace automation to stay competitive in an increasingly challenging trading environment, says Kamal Bengougam

What is the new normal for the coffee industry?

People were stuck at home during the pandemic, and many have continued work and consumption patterns forged during lockdowns. Many workers have not returned to offices, and people are socialising more in their own neighbourhoods, resulting in packed cafés in those locations, whereas many city centres have yet to recover footfall.