Retail chain Café Coffee Day (CCD) is planning to offer ‘customised coffee solutions' at the customer's doorstep through its e-commerce business initiative.

The coffee chain has a Web site selling regular coffee-related merchandise along with coffee powders. Speaking to Business Line , Mr Vejay Anand, President, New Business Initiative, merchandising and alliances, said, “We are looking at expanding our e-commerce initiatives and increase its scope. Considering the volumes are not very large, we are looking at providing customised coffee solutions with specific coffee blends to suit the customer's needs.”

CCD's Fresh & Ground outlets are already selling blends and mixes and a similar extension is being offered as part of the retail chain's Web-based offerings. The company is also expected to expand beyond Bangalore, the head office location. “Through our online initiative we intend fulfilling large orders for coffee powders with this merchandising operation,” said Mr Anand.

Recently CCD launched a premium coffee powder, Mysore Royal, pegged upwards of Rs 1,000 for a kilo. “There is demand for premium coffees from different coffee estates and we are catering to this demand,” he added.

Sale of coffee comprises almost 35 per cent of the company's turnover, followed by food and beverage and merchandising. Merchandising contributes 8 per cent of the sales.

With almost 2,500 outlets, CCD has been selling its merchandise through these points of sale. Mr Anand said, “In the future we may look at retailing through the general stores, but there is going to be a cost to it. Through online sales we can reach the consumer directly.”

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