Loyalty, quality and convenience are key
Keavy O’Mahony-Truesdale sets out the Barista Bar offer
Who are you, where do you work and what’s your role?
I’m the brand manager for Barista Bar, based at Henderson Foodservice head office in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
I am responsible for shaping and driving the brand’s identity to ensure Barista Bar stands out in the competitive coffee-to-go market.
My focus spans the entire UK, with a particular emphasis on Scotland, where we’ve seen significant growth.
I also work with retailers to drive growth and explore new opportunities, ensuring that we continuously adapt to meet evolving market demands.
What’s your brand’s story? When was it founded and what are its goals?
Barista Bar, owned by Henderson Foodservice Ltd, part of the Henderson Group, was created with the vision of bringing high-quality, convenient coffee experiences to people on the go.
Since our 2015 launch in Northern Ireland, we’ve been committed to delivering “coffee as it should be” by providing barista-quality coffee in a self-serve format that’s accessible and affordable.
Our goal has always been to offer a premium coffee experience that seamlessly fits into our customers’ daily lives, ensuring they never have to compromise on taste or quality.
Can you tell us about the expansion of Barista Bar in the UK and especially Scotland so far?
We are proud to be the No.1 coffee-to-go brand in Northern Ireland. Our success extends across the UK, where we are now the 4th largest coffee-to-go brand. This year, we will sell more than 13million cups of coffee and will be available in over 600 stores across the UK and growing.
Scotland is a key market for us and the enthusiasm from Scottish consumers has been incredibly encouraging.
We’re particularly pleased with how we’ve driven cup numbers for our Spar retail partners serviced by our CJ Lang & Son Ltd partnership, with stores seeing an average 25% increase in cup growth.
We’re committed to deepening our relationship with Scottish consumers and retailers alike.
What are the plans for further growth of Barista Bar in convenience in Scotland?
We have ambitious plans to expand our footprint in Scotland’s convenience channel through our exclusive partnership with CJ Lang.
Our focus is on developing our presence in key locations while also enhancing our product offerings with new and innovative solutions, including our new Barista Bar Rewards+ App.
What’s a typical working day like for you?
A key focus is overseeing the rollout of Barista Bar across Scotland. I work closely with our partners and retailers to ensure a smooth and effective launch for each store, making sure our brand is well-represented and consistently delivering value to both our customers and retail partners.
Creativity plays a big part – from working on campaigns and the Barista Bar Rewards+ App to brainstorming product innovations or enhancing our market presence.
What are some standout memories from your time with the brand?
Our first launch in Scotland this year was especially rewarding, as the excitement from our team and customers truly highlighted how far we’ve come.
Another significant achievement at the start of this year, was the rollout of the Barista Bar Rewards+ App in Northern Ireland. It took our customer rewards to the next level. We are excited to expand it to Scotland soon.
What sets Barista Bar apart from its rivals?
Our unwavering commitment to quality, consistency and convenience – we deliver a premium coffee experience that’s accessible for customers on the go.
We provide the same exceptional experience wherever they visit. Loyalty is central to our approach, and our strong partnerships with local retailers ensure Barista Bar is available where our customers need us most.
How can retailers make the most of your brand?
To maximise the impact of our brand, ensure our stands are placed in high-traffic, visible areas to capture customer attention and drive sales.
Actively promote our loyalty scheme to encourage repeat business and build strong customer relationships, fostering long-term loyalty and success.
