The UK-based coffee and food-to-go chain says that its smaller format SOHO PICCOLO store will target commuter footfall and marks the next step in its travel hub expansion plans
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The on-the-go concept will offer premium coffee from a newly-curated PICCOLO speciality coffee menu | Photo credit: SOHO Coffee Co.
SOHO Coffee Co. has launched a smaller format store, SOHO PICCOLO, at Northampton Train Station, UK, and expects to expand the concept to further at travel hub locations across the country.
The on-the-go concept, which SOHO Coffee Co. said can operate either as a stand-alone unit or as secondary units to the wider footprint of company stores, will offer food-to-go and premium coffee from a newly-curated PICCOLO speciality coffee menu.
Managing Director Penny Manuel said recent SOHO Coffee Co. launches at Birmingham and Bristol airports highlighted opportunities in the UK travel market for smaller footprint outlets.
The brand opened a new store in the North Terminal at Birmingham Airport in July 2022 and will open a second outlet at the airport in 2023.
“SOHO PICCOLO is a highly efficient format for platforms, barrier lines and pier units, providing a strong guest experience through combining quick hot fresh food and premium coffee,” said Manuel.
SOHO Coffee Co. currently operates more than 30 stores across the UK and six internationally, including at airports in Portugal, Spain and Montenegro.
In August 2021, the coffee and food-to-go chain developed an online coffee range, introducing a coffee subscription service, three new single origin coffees and brewing products to its online store.
The following month the chain reported that its sales had recovered to pre-pandemic levels after enduring a 63% revenue decline in the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic.