There was more than a ripple of excitement in retail and hospitality circles yesterday when a new report revealed that Costa Coffee has usurped Starbucks as the largest UK coffee shop chain.
According to the report from Allegra Strategies, Costa now has 24.7% of the market with 555 stores, compared to 24.1% for Starbucks (540).
But word reaches Kitchen Rat that the figures might not be wholly as they seem - more of a skinny version of the truth.
With owner Whitbread now focusing on its restaurant and hotel divisions, senior industry sources tell us that there is a big PR push behind Costa Coffee ensuring it is seen as fast growing.
Part of this marketing drive surrounds the numbers: word is that anywhere that sells a branded Costa Coffee, whether it be a small office or a large corporate, is now defined as an "outlet" thus pushing the numbers beyond Starbucks, which reportedly does not include concessions.
What was it Mark Twain said about "lies, damn lies and statistics"?
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Great articale(forgive ma spelling) but i think they need a innovative fun and ultimatly revamping