Cafe Coffee Day to expand footprint in Kerala

Our Bureau Updated - March 30, 2011 at 06:46 PM.

Cafe Coffee Day (CCD), the retail chain of coffee cafes, is planning to expand its footprint in the State.

The chain already has three cafes in Thiruvananthapuram, four in Kochi, one in Lakkidi and three cafes in Kozhikode.

It is now on a high growth path in the State with plans to double the number of cafes by the end of the coming financial year, said Mr K. Ramakrishnan, President-Marketing.

LARGE PRESENCE

“Cafe Coffee Day has a large presence in South India and is keen on growing its presence in Kerala. The market is nowhere near saturated,” he said here.

The chain is looking at expanding its presence in Kochi, Kozhikodeand is also looking at newer markets such as Thrissur, Kannur and Alappuzha.

The coffee cafe market is certainly booming and the country can accommodate many more such units, Mr Ramakrishnan said.

There is a need in many cities, towns and townships for cafe space that allows people to meet and socialise, with coffee being the essential social glue.

“We are adding 20-25 cafes each month and a fourth of this number is being opened in the southern cities/ towns/ townships.

IMPORTANT MARKET

“Kerala is an important market for us and we plan to focus on it in the coming year,” Mr Ramakrishnan said.

The coffee chain also has many activities planned for its patrons in the State such as ‘coffee festivals' that invite consumers to learn about and appreciate coffee better, alongside mastering the art of coffee-making with various coffee makers.

Also planned are promotional campaigns around special occasions such as Friendship Day.

SPECIAL OFFERINGS

Not only are there special menu offerings, there are also many goodies and prizes to be won by the consumer on these occasions.

Cafe Coffee Day is part of Amalgamated Bean Coffee Trading Company, the coffee conglomerate that was the first to roll out the ‘coffee bar' concept in Bangalore. The retail chain serves the coffee it grows on 7,400 acres of its own estates plus another 2,500 acres of managed estates. The group also sources coffee from 11,000 small growers.

Published on March 30, 2011 13:16