Throughout the pandemic so far there have been huge losses in many industries, balanced with unprecedented growth in others. For subscription coffee specialist Blue Coffee Box, 2021 has so far brought a 104% increase in revenue compared to the first half of 2020.
Comparing 2021 figures to the pre-lockdown period last year, Blue Coffee Box saw a 272.84% revenue increase for the period of 1st January – 23rd March. The lasting impact of a coffee buying boom driven by government advice to work from home is evident in a 104.07% revenue increase year-on-year for the period of 1st January – 12th June.
Gifting has also played a part, with data showing that more people than ever are ordering gifts online and seeking gift subscriptions for their loved ones.
“For thousands of people all over the UK who have been working from home since March 2020, instant coffee just isn’t scratching the itch that a takeaway coffee on the way to work, or on a lunch break, would have done,” says Blue Coffee Box founder, Jon Butt. “Even when we look at how popular gourmet coffee became in the first lockdown, the figures pale in comparison to what we’re seeing in 2021. While some people are starting to return to offices across the UK, the move to better beans certainly looks like it’s here to stay.”
Of course, people aren’t just buying gourmet coffee for themselves. There’s evidence that the pandemic has also driven an increase in gifting purchases, with friends and family keeping in touch from afar by sending postal pick-me-ups.
According to Google, searches for online gifts rose 80% in 2020 compared to 2019, while searches for ‘gift subscription’ were up 100%* over November and December 2020 compared to 2019.
“People know that food and drinks make great gifts,” Butt continues, “and subscriptions are the gift that keeps on giving. While we could have predicted that we’d see some growth as a result of coffee shops closing and people avoiding physical stores, I don’t think anyone anticipated the surge in gift-giving that the various lockdowns and restrictions have sparked.”
He adds: “The last year or so has been a rollercoaster, and we are very fortunate to have found ourselves coming out of it all as a success story. Though we have been as thrilled as anyone to be able to support great baristas and coffee shops again now that things are opening back up, we’re also proud to keep delivering world-class coffee to anyone and everyone who wants to enjoy a great cup of coffee at home.”
