The partnership with Costa will complement Debenhams’ existing in-store restaurant and café offering, providing customers with a break for a drink, snack or meal, while shopping.
Costa says the partnership provides a great strategic fit for the two UK brands, with both retailers possessing similar customer demographics, brand recognition and product quality that UK customers appreciate.
Debenhams’ investment in hospitality services marks the recognition of opportunities that successful brands like Costa can bring to department stores.
The department store plans to continue to invest in its in-house restaurant and café business, as demonstrated by its £25m refurbishment of its flagship store in London's Oxford Street, which now features four complementary and contrasting foodservice operations to appeal to different shoppers and maximise revenue.
James Hamilton, UK head of acquisitions at Costa, commented: “It is important for us to partner with other leading British retailers in order to deliver the best experience for coffee lovers.
“We see this as a mutually beneficial partnership; bringing together the nation’s favourite coffee shop brand with one of the UK’s leading department stores, allowing both brands to strengthen customer experience and further drive sales.”
John Baker, director of food services at Debenhams, added: “Costa is the perfect partner for us to complement our successful in-house restaurant and café proposition. Growing our food hospitality business is an important part of our strategy to improve the return on our UK stores through a wider choice of products and brands. Partnering with Costa will only enhance our appeal.
“Nearly all Debenhams stores are equipped with a restaurant, a café or both. Working with third parties offers a fantastic opportunity to create an additional offering and the strength of Costa's brand, coffee heritage and customer appeal is a good strategic fit for us.”
Costa will launch in six Debenhams’ stores: Guildford and Slough in June, and Derby, Exeter, Haverfordwest, and Woking in Surrey in July.