Caffe Nero owner reports UK like-for-like sales up 6.2% in third quarter, Will Stratton-Morris promoted to new group-wide role: Nero Group – the owner of Caffe Nero, Coffee#1 and 200 Degrees – has reported UK like-for-like sales were up 6.2% in its third quarter ending 28 February 2025 with total sales up 8%. Group like-for-like sales increased 5.5% in the period with total sales up 11%. Sales for Nero Group across its 11 trading markets through the first three quarters of its financial year were up 12.6% versus last year and up 10.2% for the Caffè Nero UK business versus last year. The group said the strong third-quarter sales performance in the UK was supported by impressive Christmas trading, with more than two million customers served during December and a sales increase of 14% versus the previous year. During the Christmas period, Caffè Nero UK also had two record sales weeks of more than £9m and the highest ever single day sales at £1.5m. The group continued its new store opening programme in the period, opening 15 new stores. This takes the total new stores operating at group level during the financial year to date to 74, including its first store in Saudi Arabia. In the UK, Caffè Nero opened a further four new stores, increasing the total number of new openings this financial year in the UK to date to 15. As a result, at the end of February 2025, the group operated 1,121 stores across 11 countries with 11,000 employees, serving more than 155 million customers a year. In all, 94% of all the Nero Group’s stores are company-owned. Gerry Ford, founder and group chief executive, said: “We have a different model than most other companies in our sector. We are an independent, home-grown start-up focused on the premium end of the coffee market that now has scale. We own our stores and have built our business with strong foundations over many years. I think this is paying off as we continue to grow our brands across the world.” The company also announced Will Stratton-Morris, chief executive in the UK for Caffè Nero, has taken up a new group role as chief business development officer. The Caffè Nero business in the UK will be led by Ford, group chief financial officer Ben Price and Caffe Nero UK managing director Glyn House. The process to appoint a new chief executive for the UK Caffè Nero business is underway. Ford said: “Will has worked very hard over the past seven-plus years to promote the Caffè Nero business in the UK. The board and I would like to thank him for all his effort and commitment. As we move into a phase of greater expansion, I’m sure Will’s skill sets will prove extremely useful to the group in establishing new business partnerships, developing our footprint in new countries and securing new commercial relationships.” Caffe Nero features in the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book, which features 1,108 companies and is exclusive to Premium Club subscribers. Caffè Nero's turnover of £519,841,000 for the year ending 31 March 2024 is the 28th highest in the database. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.