Coffee shops have long been home to people who want to get online and work or simply surf the internet while amongst others.
Perhaps they like to strike up conversations with those sitting nearby, or maybe they want to keep to themselves but prefer having people around as opposed to, for example, being in an empty apartment. Plus, coffee shops are often used as gathering places for coworkers and friends.
Whatever the reasons, the changes that have occurred in 2020 are pointing towards a boom for the cafe industry. This is because an increase in virtual work, for the most part, is likely here to stay due to the benefits of it becoming apparent to so many.
These include employers realizing that employees tend to be more productive while working remotely and employees having enjoyed the greater flexibility, geographically and time-wise, that comes with being a remote worker.
Meanwhile, there are downsides to working remotely. One is possible loneliness. Many virtual employees who live by themselves will want to be around others once it is safe to do so.
Another is remote workers rarely interacting with coworkers in in-person settings. Coffee houses can help with issues such as these.
Strategies that businesses in the cafe industry could incorporate include expanding their floor spaces or moving to larger facilities.
Commercial real estate expecting to be more readily available in the years to come will help that be a financially viable option. With that said, coffee houses in centralized areas may experience decreased sales figures if fewer people are heading downtown for work.
For those that do attain extra space, it can be utilized in a myriad of ways. Of course, simply accommodating more customers is one. Office-like settings can also be installed there.
More general business strategies could also experience significant success during this expected boom. One that has started to be implemented is monthly subscriptions.
An example is Panera Bread’s MyPanera+ Coffee. For $8.99, customers can drink as much coffee as they would like a month with the exception of needing at least two hours to pass between cups if leaving the store between them.