Caffè Nero is marking its 20th anniversary by moving into grocery for the first time, launching a coffee blend into Ocado.
In the first time the coffee house chain has sold its products beyond its own outlets, Ocado is stocking Classico house blend in three variants: whole beans, ground filter and decaffeinated ground filter (£4.25/250g). The product has been a Caffè Nero staple since the brand’s launch in 1997, with only five people privy to the “secret” of the blend.
The grocery debut comes after Caffè Nero upgraded its roastery in Battersea, south-west London, to increase capacity for coffee production and packaging.
Its products had not been available in grocery before because “you can’t cut corners with great coffee”, said Caffè Nero founder Gerry Ford. “Our customers have been telling us for some time they want to enjoy our distinctive blend of coffee both in and outside the home. The time now feels right to enter grocery retail.”
Bill Marney, Ocado’s buying manager of hot beverages, added: “We’re delighted Caffè Nero has chosen Ocado for its foray into the British supermarket sector. We’ve seen a huge upsurge in demand for premium, fresh coffee among our consumers and are in no doubt that many will be regular out-of-home Caffè Nero drinkers.”
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