A look at how Channel Islands Coop has brought together premium coffee to go, sustainability and community impact across eight stores.
When Channel Islands Coop decided to review their coffee-to-go offer, they wasn’t simply looking for a new machine or another coffee brand.
The Coop wanted a proposition that felt right for their Members and reflected the values behind the business. Quality was important, but so were responsible sourcing, sustainability and giving something back to the communities it serves.
That led them to Ground & Co.
A Coffee Brand That Felt Like the Right Fit
Channel Islands Coop had previously offered Pret Express, so replacing an established coffee brand was a significant decision.
The team was looking for a solution that could deliver a consistently strong customer experience while sitting comfortably alongside the Coop’s own values.
Ground & Co.’s approach to ethical sourcing, sustainable packaging and community investment stood out.
“We were attracted to offering this branded solution because the brand’s ethical, sustainable and community-focused ethos closely aligns with the Coop’s values.”
The partnership launched across eight stores, giving customers a fresh coffee-to-go option with a story behind it.
What Do Customers Think?
Ultimately, customers decide whether a coffee offer works.
Feedback from Channel Islands Coop has been encouraging, with shoppers particularly appreciating the combination of taste, convenience and the positive impact associated with the brand.
Latte and Hot Chocolate are currently among the most popular choices.
There has also been a clear commercial benefit. Since making the switch, Channel Islands Coop has seen a significant uptake in daily rate of sales.
Putting Sustainability into Practice
Sustainability is an important part of the Ground & Co. proposition, from the coffee supply chain through to the cup customers hold in their hands.
Our coffee is responsibly sourced, with the Women in Coffee Project providing practical support and training to female farmers in Tanzania.
The project is helping women develop their farms, improve yields and build more secure futures for themselves and their families.
For retailers, it creates an opportunity to give customers a genuine story about where their coffee comes from and the people behind it.
Grounds For Good
Community sits at the heart of the partnership through Grounds For Good.
The concept is straightforward: 10p from every cup sold is donated to charitable initiatives, helping turn everyday coffee purchases into support for worthwhile causes.
At Channel Islands Coop, this year’s nominated charity is Guernsey Alzheimer’s Society.
It’s a small contribution from each individual purchase, but across thousands of cups, it can add up to something meaningful.
The Support Behind the Coffee
The customer experience doesn’t stop once the machine is installed.
Channel Islands Coop has praised the support provided by the eXpresso PLUS Engineering and Account Management teams, highlighting their responsiveness, professionalism and willingness to help.
The Coop rated its overall experience with eXpresso PLUS 8/10.
That ongoing relationship gives both teams the opportunity to identify improvements, respond to challenges and look for new ways to grow the proposition.
Looking Ahead
There is already a strong appetite to build on the partnership.
Future opportunities include loyalty rewards, seasonal drinks, community initiatives and joint promotional activity, alongside better ways of telling the Ground & Co. story in-store.
For Channel Islands Coop, these could provide new reasons for customers to engage with the offer and encourage repeat purchases.
More Than a Coffee Machine
The Channel Islands Coop partnership shows what can happen when a coffee-to-go proposition is considered as more than a piece of equipment in a store.
It combines a quality product with a clear brand story, responsible sourcing and a way for customers to contribute to their local community.
For Ground & Co., that’s exactly what we’re looking to build: coffee that works commercially, has a story worth telling and leaves something positive behind.
View the full case study here
Want to make more of your coffee-to-go offer?
Ground & Co. works with retailers to create coffee propositions tailored to their customers, their stores and their values.