Supply-chain management is a vital ingredient for marketing success today--and Whitbread's Costa Coffee is perking up profits because of its careful planning.
Coffee prices are rising, but
Whitbread has locked up supply until March, allowing Costa to hold the line on retail prices. That will undoubtedly put competitive pressure on Starbucks, among other rivals.
Costa Coffee is
opening new stores as the economy improves and customers regain their spending momentum. The brand is social, with 1.1 million
Facebook likes and 94,000
Twitter followers.
New products are launched with
YouTube support on Costa's Coffee Lovers channel. And
Instagram is another way Costa promotes its brand, its products and its special events.
