Just what Dubai needs, another coffee chain. This from yesterday's Kipp Report.
Coffee Republic, one of the UK’s original coffee shop brands, has signed a deal to open up to 30 outlets in the Gulf. The first will open in Muscat in November, Dubai and Bahrain will follow in the new year.
"We have very big plans,” says head of international business development Khurram Begg, “it is not the case we are just testing the ground, we are very certain.”
He’d better be. Coffee Republic will join Starbucks, Second Cup, Costa, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Caribou Coffee, Barista Coffee, Gloria Jeans – have I missed anyone? – in fighting over prime pitches. Mall owners and retail leasing agents must be rubbing their hands at the prospect of rent battles.
I don't recall if Coffee Republic is any good, but I do know the coffee shops I like aren't chains. U&Me next to the office does a good double shot small latte (not bucket-sized), as does I-can't remember-the-name-of-it in Sultan Business Center. Hard to see what Coffee Republic can bring that's new. The sector needs to move on from coffee - Geek Terminal, out of Singapore, might be a welcome addition.
