Lavazza to Roll Out 400 ‘Espression’ Cafes in UK Market

In a large-scale affront to UK retail giants Starbucks and Costa Coffee, Italian coffee Company Lavazza plans to roll out some 400 new Espression-brand retail cafes throughout England over the next decade.

The group has hired the British property consultant firm Cushman & Wakefield to assist with the expansion. There is currently one Lavazza Espression location in England, in Manchester, but the company says at least 50 shops will be introduced to the greater London market over the next three years.

“Lavazza Espression is a new and exciting concept which will give UK customers a real  taste and experience of Italy on  their doorstep,” Matt Illingworth, a partner at Cushman & Wakefield, said in an announcement of the plan.

Lavazza launched its Espression retail brand in 2007, offering drinks of all kind — including some alcoholic beverages — to complement its core espresso program. Here is part of the company’s description of the Espression concept:

Espression is an extraordinary multisensory experience: a large selection of original coffee specialities and delicious food created through Lavazza’s partnership with world-renowned chefs, such as Ferran Adrià, is enhanced by a warm atmosphere, music and much more. The focus on design, furnishings, and the choice of materials and colours makes Espression a sophisticated but approachable venue.