07 March 2024 , 12:17
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Costa Coffee has increased the cost of its drinks made through its Express counters by 5p - just 18 months after a previous price hike.
The move has affected half of its 12,000 Costa Express counters which are usually based in shops, supermarkets and petrol stations. Costa Coffee defended the move saying that the increased prices "reflect ongoing challenges faced by many retailers".
The spokesperson added: "We understand that any change in pricing can be challenging for our customers and strive to provide the best experience and quality products for our customers on-the-go, whilst rewarding our Costa Club members with amazing discounts and exclusive offers.”
Prices on Costa Express counters do vary across the country, however, according to research conducted by the Sun, a regular latte or cappuccino from the machine can cost up to £3.05 or £3.35 for a large. If you want to add syrup, prices can reach £3.50. Speciality drinks such as the Cinnamon Bun Latte now costs £3.70 for a regular and £3.95 for a large. The cost of a regular americano sits at £2.80 with a large costing £3, a mocha will set you back £3.40, and a flat white costs £3.55.
One coffee lover took to X - formerly Twitter - to vent their frustration saying: "That's @CostaCoffee put the prices of the Costa Express coffees up YET AGAIN!". Another Costa fan told the Sun they didn't feel like chains such as Costa didnt appreciate how the cost of living crisis was affecting families.
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They said: "We used to love treating the kids to the odd coffee or hot chocolate from the Express machines but at between £3 and £4 a pop we are being priced out of enjoying our favourite drinks."
Consumer expert and Mirror columnist Martyn James commented: “Every little counts during the cost of living crisis - and if spiralling coffee costs aren't enough to make you brew up at home, the news that the DIY options are going up too might be the final straw for coffee lovers across the land.”
Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, added: “On the one hand this feels unfair given that coffee prices are up less than 1% in a year and the cost of milk is actually falling, but it goes to show that even when you’re essentially making the drink yourself, there’s a lot more that feeds into the cost than the price of the raw ingredients."