NI's Barista Bar Expands Into Scotland

NI born coffee to go brand, Barista Bar, has expanded into Scotland with an exclusive £2.5 million distribution deal.

The brand that was developed by Henderson Foodservice, a part of the Henderson Group, has entered into a deal with CJ Lang & Son.

As part of Barista Bar's long-term UK growth strategy, the brand will expand to 104 of CJ Lang & Son’s company owned SPAR stores throughout Scotland, alongside a host of its independent retailers.

Barista Bar will now be available via 730 machines across the UK which results in 12 million cups being sold per annum.

The first installation roll out has taken place at David Sands Pinkie Farm store in Musselburgh, East Lothian, back in August. The retailer who joined the SPAR family in June 2023 has experienced a growth in Barista Bar coffee sales of over 100 per cent compared to the previous coffee brand.

Mark Stewart-Maunder, Commercial and Development Director at Henderson Foodservice commented: "This is an extremely exciting day for our premium coffee to go brand, and a huge testament to the commitment the team has displayed in making the product a resounding success since it launched in 2015.

"Two years ago, our Foodservice company invested over £6m into Barista Bar to upgrade the brand and machinery to produce a stand-out product that has had a hugely positive impact on our retailers’ sales and footfall, and our very first Barista Bar Drive Thru opened at SPAR Mallusk just last year. We look forward to CJ Lang & Son’s stores and independent retailers experiencing this boost as we continue to show the benefits of a high-quality food and coffee to go offering within convenience retailing."

Colin McClean, CEO at CJ Lang & Son added: "This exclusive brand franchise agreement with Barista Bar coffee is a great commercial proposition for not only our Scottish SPAR independent retailers and our SPAR Scotland company owned estate but for all convenience and petrol forecourt stores in Scotland.

"We anticipate having Barista Bar coffee available in the majority of our company owned SPAR Scotland store estate by the end of 2024, with the balance coming over in 2025."