Coffee crisis? (waitrose)

EdwardTeach

EdwardTeach

EdwardTeach

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18 Mar 2010
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The selection of coffee beans in my local waitrose has shrunk massively. There is now literally 2-3 different brands available, and for example no waitrose own brand beans. I think it was just union and lavazza.

The store was recently refurbished, to incorporate more John Lewis stuff, so I am wondering if they have deliberately shrunk the bean section, or if this is due to stock issues. They still appear to have a massive selection online.

(coincidentally they have been out of face tissues since Christmas....)

Any of you noticed a change in coffee bean offering at your supermarket?
 
I'd think supermarket coffee sales must have increased in reciprosity for people working from home/fewer people visiting the likes of starbucks&Co,

also reduced supply on ebay of 2nd hand espresso machines, tv article during the year showing UK manufacturer fracino doing overtime to keep up with home demand

edit: covid home baking's probably taking it's toll on cake mixer machine supply too.
 
- 30% reduction in production ? .. can't think of other food stuffs that have suffered similarly - wasn't wheat threatened.
 
Update - The crisis is over (slightly)

It turns out that the coffee beans havent dissapeared form my local waitrose, they were just hidden by being arranged on the shelf in a completely insane fashion.

Instead of being grouped in a column with the other beans, or even with coffee from the same brand, instead they are distributed thoughout the coffee shelf seemingly randomly. This kind of thing makes my blood boil, I shall have to have words with the manager!
 
Flibster said:
Mmmmm... Robusta...
That lovely smell of farmyard and burnt rubber.
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Strange that you say that, as I'd say the same (and worse) about various coffee and fast food outlets, despite them all claiming to use the same 100% Arabica as some of the better places...
My logic is that if McDonalds can utterly **** up what other places can do relatively well with, then surely the choice of bean is less of a factor than how it's made?
 
EdwardTeach said:
Instead of being grouped in a column with the other beans, or even with coffee from the same brand, instead they are distributed thoughout the coffee shelf seemingly randomly. This kind of thing makes my blood boil, I shall have to have words with the manager!
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does it literally boil like being in the vacuum of space?
do you think the manager does it on purpose, encouraging customers to loiter amongst the aisles committing a purchase of opportunity

perhaps it's just new staff playing tetris and not caring what goes where
 
arknor said:
does it literally boil like being in the vacuum of space?
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Obviously I was kind of joking about the boiling blood, I was more perplexed than annoyed.

arknor said:
do you think the manager does it on purpose, encouraging customers to loiter amongst the aisles committing a purchase of opportunity

perhaps it's just new staff playing tetris and not caring what goes where
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I pointed out the situation to one of the managers today, he was equally confused. Apparently the shelf layout directed by head office and the store don't choose it.

Truly one of lifes great mysteries.
 
robfosters said:
First world problems :p
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Is it really though? People have been drinking coffee for hundreds of years.

I was gifted a bag of beans for Christmas and was a bag behind on my Hasbean sub already. So I've skipped a months worth of beans on the sub (two bags). Let's hope I don't regret it :p
 
Scam said:
Is it really though? People have been drinking coffee for hundreds of years.
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it's probably still considered a luxury good, can you grow it in most poor countries


I guess we're fortunate it's grown in a lot of poor countries to make up for it
 
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