to wonder why coffee shops like Costa and Caffè Nero always so busy?

[catchingup1]

I walk past a couple on my way to work every morning around 7:45am and they’re already at least half full. People are already settled in with laptops, having meetings or just sitting.

A lot of them don’t even look like they’re working. Just scrolling on their phones or chatting.

Also with the cost of living being what it is, I find it even more surprising. I know money isn’t an issue for everyone, but for a lot of people it is, so seeing places like this consistently busy everyday just feels a bit out of sync with everything you hear about how tight things are.

I can only speak for myself but I regularly buy takeaway coffees as they feel like a little treat, and bring me happiness. I don’t spend money on anything else as I’m a working mum of 2 little kids and I don’t spend on beauty appointments, holidays, drinks/vapes or anything else. So why not?

If you’re asking why people visit these chains in particular, probably because independent coffee shops are a gamble. We have one in our village, the last time I went in they told me I couldn’t sit down as they were closing soon (a full 30 minutes before their stated closing time!), before handing me a £4 coffee that was undrinkable and tiny. I know what I’m getting with the chains, and when they’ll be open.

It's the same with all the chains/franchise whether coffee, fast food, etc - consistency, longer opening hours, etc.

It's brilliant when you find an independent that suits your needs, but you "have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince" - so many places have limited opening hours, so many have poor service, or a limited "menu", or poor quality ingredients/foods, so many are expensive, etc. It's a bit of a risk/lottery trying out somewhere new. At least with a franchise/chain, you know what you're going to get.

Also it's easier to find a "costa" or "nero" if you're in an unfamiliar place - just get onto their app and use their search feature for your nearest outlet.

As others have said, loyalty schemes also make a big difference - you can accumulate points in any town/city, which you can't do if you use a different indy in every town/city you visit.

People like their coffees.

Moreover, lots of people are getting at least one free/cheap coffee each week through energy/broadband/mobile providers these days.

We go out for coffee at least 3 times a week. I don't spend my money on things that others might do. I don't drink, smoke, vape, eat out at restaurants, get my hair or nails done, but fancy clothes or fancy anything really. But I do love a takeaway coffee.

Coffee is lovely and £5 per day on coffee is not too much

I'm sorry but I think the coffee must be too hot and it's tarnished your tastebuds if you think Costas toasties are nice 😱
I love a Costa coffee btw

I don't drink the coffee. I drink the hot chocolate 😂
I had a tomato and cheese toastie at a Costa today.
It was very nice. Lots of cheese. Just the way I like them.

Look up the 'lipstick effect'. Lipstick sales historically rise during recessions because people cut back on the bigger purchases.

A nice coffee is cheaper than meeting for lunch and places like Costa don't tend to move you on as quickly as some places would.

Some of the people with laptops may be travelling with work and can expense coffees.

Any time I go into our nearest Costa, it’s bunged. I’m only in there once in a blue moon with DS1 as a treat, so I dunno, maybe everyone else is in there for a rare treat too? It’s a lovely branch with a good atmosphere and friendly staff. Maybe that helps. We have several independent coffee shops in our small town and they’re busy too. People have different priorities. Maybe they all cut their own hair✂️

Same. I never eat out but visit a coffee shop at least once a day. 😳 Keeps me sane.

The Costa/Starbucks near me are revolting with grubby tables, filthy floors and stacks of dirty blenders/milk jugs behind the counter. I am intolerant (thankfully not allergic) to dairy and was shocked to see them wiping the steam wand between different milks with the same grubby cloth that was used over and over.

There's 2 fab independents up the road from where I work - and both have signs saying "no working/loud phone calls" in there. The coffee is about £4.50 but it's a treat and I'm happy to support them when I've been for a walk round the block to get some air.

Because they sell coffee for people who don't like coffee.

God these posts are tedious.
“Theres a cost of living CRISIS yet I keep seeing people BUYING STUFF! I DONT UNDERSTAND!?!?!?!”
aaannd repeat.

I'm genuinely astonished that they sell, they are the most tasteless things ever AND they no longer provide s&p to try and give some kinda flavour. However, I love the lemon muffins, lemon drizzle, caramel shortcake.... . etc 😂

Because it’s a reasonably priced luxury. During recessions certain industries boom - lipstick for example. A small luxury that makes us feel better. That’s what a coffee with a friend with or out of the house with some space and a book. It’s not that the coffee is especially brilliant, the experience and reasonable prices (in comparison to bigger luxuries) make it appealing.

I used to go to Costa every single week because it was the only place open at 6pm whilst Dd was at her dance class. Everywhere else closed at 4.30pm.

these days I go on shopping days out because it’s somewhere reliable to sit for 15 - 20 mins

They are open longer hours. In my town for a coffee after 4pm you can only go to Costa, SB or CN. Although the small shops are open until 4.30 they won’t be happy at starting to serve then. (I don’t blame them, they are likely on a low wage, and may not be paid after closing time so clear up around you, put chairs away etc.

I have a drink in Pret some mornings, another chain. I know what I’m getting.

I find it strange that it’s always cafes that are highlighted on threads like these. It’s always “why are so many people paying £5 for a coffee during a cost of living crisis?”

But never “why are people paying £6 for a pint / £15 for a manicure / £50 for a haircut?”

It seems there’s something about people choosing to spend their disposable income on coffee that is unfathomable to some people.

I visit a coffee shop most days - often Costa or Caffè Nero - and for me personally it’s something I value and think is worth the money. Either I work from home and it’s nice to go for walk and buy a takeaway coffee, or sit for an hour with my laptop in a cafe. Or I go the office and buy a coffee en route.

People go out for coffee instead of the pub. Back in the day when I first started work, we would often go to the pub lunchtime, or 2/3 nights a week. It’s now much too expensive for most people to do that, so they go for a coffee instead.

I like a coffee once a week as a treat. When I was studying I got way more done if I was out of the house.

I drink coffee in Pret. It’s not for the amazing coffee but the fact that I can sit there with friends and enjoy their company. In fact a filter coffee is 49p if you take your own cup 😁 which I think most budgets could afford.

I live in a place with 2 amazing independent coffee places and a costa and a coffee1… the coffee Is SO much better in the independent places but Costa and coffee1 are always full! The coffee is Costa is vile I’d rather have no coffee than Costa coffee

Mystery to me, the coffee in these places isnt good and thats being polite about it

I came here to say exactly this but you'd already done the job for me.

I would go for breakfast to somewhere like that everyday whilst working away. It was expensable and a lot cheaper than the hotel breakfasts.