Northern Ireland barista bar completes digital overhaul

The self-service coffee machine business aims to improve its customer experience with a new digital loyalty app, updated website and e-commerce store.

My Barista Bar Rewards+ App | Photo Credit: Barista Bar

Northern Ireland self-service coffee machine business Barista Bar has announced a new digital loyalty app, website and e-commerce store to further address growing consumer demand for digital transactions.

Founded by Henderson Foodservice in 2015, Barista Bar has installed over 600 self-service coffee machines in SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO convenience stores across the UK, primarily in Northern Ireland. Henderson Foodservice has invested £250,000 ($316,000) in a digital overhaul.

The brand’s Coffee Rewards loyalty app allows customers to collect stamps at the time of their purchase, and every 10 stamps earns them a free drink. If you use a reusable cup, you will receive two stamps per purchase.

“The way Barista Bars communicate with customers has evolved over the years to align with customer behavior and preferences. This digital approach not only modernizes the brand’s presence, but also improves the overall user experience. and reinvigorate our loyalty and rewards programs to increase customer engagement and satisfaction,” said Brand Manager Keevey O’Mahony-Truesdale.

Henderson Foodservice has invested more than £14 million ($17.7 million) in the Barista Bar brand over the past nine years and will sell 12 million hot drinks in 2023.

In October 2023, Barista Bar signs a £2.5 million ($3 million) distribution agreement with CJ Lang & Son to bring self-service coffee machines to over 100 SPAR stores and an unspecified number of independent retailers in Scotland. Expanded. Once this rollout is complete, Barista Bar’s total footprint in the UK will be 730 units.

Barista Bar is one of the UK’s four largest premium vending operators, after Costa Express, Absolute Coffee and We Proudly Serve Starbucks.

The total UK consumer premium vending and self-service coffee market grew by more than 2,000 units (11%) to over 20,770 units in the 12 months to September 2023, according to World Coffee Portal research. I did. Market leader Costa Express, with over 13,200 units, accounts for nearly two-thirds of the total consumer premium vending and self-service coffee market.