Pioneer of plant-based eating and drinking, Alpro, has partnered with Ireland’s leading independent coffee roaster, Bewley’s, to offer new plant-based menu solutions for Bewley’s coffee operators nationwide
Alpro has collaborated with Bewley’s and convenience store trade forerunners, the Casey Group, to roll out the first six bean-to-cup plant-based coffee docks in Ireland. A first to market plant-based coffee concept and a first in trade, Alpro and Bewley’s are providing plant-based alternatives for coffee drinkers using the Alpro Barista Oat Gluten Free.
Catering to a growing consumer segment that demands healthier drinks with a strong sustainability story, Alpro’s partnership with Bewley’s shows real innovation in the sector. Worth over €47 million per annum, the plant-based segment in Ireland is growing at a rate of 25% year on year. Working together, Alpro and Bewley’s identified the opportunity in the market following the results of Bewley’s annual coffee report, which revealed a significant increase in plant-based coffee consumption amongst consumers in Ireland.
The report showed a substantial rise in consumers opting for plant-based drinks, with a third confirming they have tried plant-based alternatives. Alpro and Bewley’s ran three months of premarket testing before launching the first bean-to-cup plant-based coffee dock in November 2020. With some barista outlets anticipating that plant-based coffee purchases will outstrip traditional dairy purchase by 2024, and with convenience store coffee following the same trajectory, this pioneering move to develop a bean-to-cup plant-based coffee dock has been a great success with rate of sales doubling at some bean-t0-cup sites in the last 12 months. In 2022, Alpro and Bewley’s will continue this ground-breaking approach, providing the finest plant-based oat coffee and hot chocolate offer to new locations across the country.
David Jiscoot, Marketing Director at Alpro UK & Ireland, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Bewley’s to maximise the plant-based opportunity that out of home coffee offers. We are continuing to see strong growth for the category as plant-based products serve not only a purpose for needs-based consumers and those wanting to follow a plant-based diet – they are also a popular choice for those who simply want to make positive changes for their health, and the planet without comprising on taste. With their distinctive flavour characteristics, our four-strong line up – smooth soya, light oat, nutty almond, and November 2020. With some barista outlets anticipating that plant-based coffee purchases will outstrip traditional dairy purchase by 2024, and with convenience store coffee following the same trajectory, this pioneering move to develop a bean-to-cup plant-based coffee dock has been a great success with rate of sales doubling at some bean-t0-cup sites in the last 12 months.
In 2022, Alpro and Bewley’s will continue this ground-breaking approach, providing the finest plant-based oat coffee and hot chocolate offer to new locations across the country. David Jiscoot, Marketing Director at Alpro UK & Ireland, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Bewley’s to maximise the plant-based opportunity that out of home coffee offers. We are continuing to see strong growth for the category as plant-based products serve not only a purpose for needs-based consumers and those wanting to follow a plant-based diet – they are also a popular choice for those who simply want to make positive changes for their health, and the planet without comprising on taste. With their distinctive flavour characteristics, our four-strong line up – smooth soya, light oat, nutty almond, and creamy coconut – offers a more comprehensive menu to customers, whilst opening up new possibilities in terms of coffee and flavour pairings.”
Commenting on the continued partnership, Jason Doyle, Managing Director of Bewley’s Ireland & UK said, “We are thrilled with the progress of our partnership with Alpro and in continuing Bewley’s commitment to providing world-class coffee to all of our consumers and operators. Our consumer research identified a rise in popularity for plant-based coffee and this partnership has clearly answered that need. We’re delighted that the Casey Group has committed to the program, and we’re excited to roll this out across our network in the coming months.
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