Coffee shop to be tested in St Albans superstore, while two other branded concepts are planned for Leamington Spa and Selly Oak.
The Carluccio’s brand and Sainsbury’s are teaming up to test out three new in-store concepts for the first time.
The first format will be a coffee shop in Sainsbury’s St Albans superstore, offering customers eat-in as well as takeaway options. Caffè Carluccio’s will open on 3 June and will be the first Carluccio’s to open in a supermarket.
The 900 square foot coffee shop will have space for up to 45 customers to sit and enjoy the brand’s signature real Italian coffee, iced coffees, Cremosa blended drinks and granita fruit ices alongside all-day breakfast foods and light-bites, including freshly made ciabatta sandwiches, toasties, filled croissants and pastries. A range of Carluccio’s retail products will also be available including biscuits such as biscotti and cantucci, ground coffee and gianduiotti chocolates.
In addition, a Carluccio’s Counter will also launch in June in the Sainsbury’s Leamington Spa superstore, offering the brand’s trademark deli products and pizza.
The third concept being trialled is the Restaurant Hub, a multi-brand offer with grab-and-go and delivery options from brands including Caffe Carluccio’s, GBK, Slim Chickens, Harry Ramsdens and Ed’s Easy Diner. The Restaurant Hub will open in July in Sainsbury’s Selly Oak superstore.
“Our customers tell us they love our brands and would like to access them more regularly and be part of their family home occasions,” commented Satnam Leihal, md of Boparan Restaurant Group, which acquired Carluccio’s in May 2020. “This trial with Sainsbury’s allows us to bring our range of high quality products to more customers, more often, in varied formats.”
Rhian Bartlett, food commercial director at Sainsbury’s, continued: “This is the first time we’ve worked with Carluccio’s and we’ll be listening closely to see what shoppers think of the different concepts, which also include GBK, Slim Chickens, Harry Ramsdens and Ed’s Easy Diner.”
Supporting the brand will be Carluccio’s first app, allowing ordering, delivery, menu access and location finding, as well providing users with a loyalty mechanic.
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