Costa Express to roll out ‘remote’ ordering for in store machines following hygiene concerns

Customers using Costa Coffee machines in convenience stores will soon be able to order their drink without touching the device.

Material seen by Better Retailing revealed that ‘remote control coffee’ will launch on 5 October across its 8,400 machines in the UK. Customers use the Costa Coffee Club App to scan a QR code on the machine screen and can then place the order on their phone. 

“Voila! The drink will appear without ever needing to touch the screen,” said the promotional material. They then pay at the counter as normal.

The move follows retailer concern around coffee machine hygiene during the height of the pandemic, with multiples including Tesco previously disabling their Costa machines during lockdown.

Point of sale material is due to arrive in stores by 2 October ahead of the launch date two days later. The new feature will be supported by ‘a major advertising campaign’ on radio and in print titles from 5 October onwards.

The app required to use the new scheme – Costa Coffee Club also promotes customer loyalty to the brand’s machines and outlets by providing redeemable points and rewards related to orders placed by users.