São Paulo – Coffee shop chains are increasingly present in the Arab countries. Youths are the main audience of these stores, which offer a variety of coffee drinks and snacks to go with them. According to a survey conducted by consultancy firm Euromonitor International, last year, Egypt and Saudi Arabia alone accounted for investment of US$ 120 million in new shops.
As the number of shops grew, so did coffee consumption. Since 2004, in Egypt, the sales volume for fresh coffee rose by 20%; in Morocco and in Saudi Arabia, the rate was higher than 30%, and in the United Arab Emirates, it was 85%. The survey shows that there are 300 stores of the Starbucks chain in the Middle East, whereas the British Costa Coffee chain has approximately 150, half of which are in the Emirates. Aside from those, also to be found are stores of the Canada-based Second Cup chain, and the United States-based Tully’s and Caribou Coffee brands, which are managed by the Bahraini Arcapita Bank.
Local chains are also successful in some countries. Egypt, for instance, has Cilantro, with 56 stores, more than all of the Starbucks and Costa units combined. Saudi Arabia has the Dr. Café chain, with a vast presence at hospitals, universities and other non-traditional places.
According to the survey, coffee shops are a new attraction for the young population in Arab countries. The average age in the Gulf countries is 26, whereas in Egypt it is 24, and in Jordan, 22, indicating that there is a large population seeking novelties and entertainment. Egypt, for instance, has over 45 million consumers under 30, whereas Saudi Arabia has more than 15 million.
Coffee shops are regarded as a place in which to have fun, and a meeting point for men and women. In more conservative countries, such as Saudi Arabia, where sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited, coffee shops have emerged as a night time meeting point. Different than other countries, coffee shops in the Arab world are not attended in the morning, but rather in the afternoon and evening, when the temperature is milder.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
