// Carluccio’s and Sainsbury’s team up to test out 3 new in-store concepts for the first time
// They will start with a trial of a coffee shop in Sainbury’s St Albans superstore
// 2 other concepts will be tested with customers in Sainsbury’s Leamington Spa and Selly Oak stores
Sainsbury’s has announced a new partnership with restaurant chain Carluccio’s to test out three new in-store concepts for the first time.
The first format will be a coffee shop in Sainsbury’s St Albans superstore, a 900 sq ft cafe offering space for 45 customers to eat-in as well as takeaway options.
Caffè Carluccio’s will open on June 3 and will be the first Carluccio’s to open inside a supermarket.
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A range of Carluccio’s retail products will also be available at the new in-store concept, including biscuits such as biscotti and cantucci, ground coffee and gianduiotti chocolates.
Meanwhile, a Carluccio’s Counter will launch in June in the Sainsbury’s Leamington Spa superstore, offering the restaurant brand’s deli products, pizza, and hot ready-to-eat items available to take-away as well as delivery via Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat.
The third concept being trialled is the Restaurant Hub, a multi-brand offer with grab-and-go and delivery options from brands including Caffe Carluccio’s, GBK, Slim Chickens, Harry Ramsdens and Ed’s Easy Diner.
The Restaurant Hub will open in July in Sainsbury’s Selly Oak superstore in Birmingham.
Carluccio’s was acquired by Boparan Restaurant Group in May last year.
Sainsbury’s and Boparan Restaurant Group have said they will be listening to and collecting customer feedback from all three stores before deciding any next steps.
“We’re testing these new offers as part of our plan to put food back at the heart of Sainsbury’s – bringing even more innovative and delicious food and drink to our stores,” Sainsbury’s food commercial director Rhian Bartlett said.
“This is the first time we’ve worked with Carluccio’s and we’ll be listening closely to see what shoppers think of the different concepts, which also include GBK, Slim Chickens, Harry Ramsdens and Ed’s Easy Diner.”
Boparan Restaurant Group managing director Satnam Leihal said: “Our customers tell us they love our brands and would like to access them more regularly and be part of their family home occasions.
“This trial with Sainsbury’s allows us to bring our range of high quality products to more customers, more often, in varied formats”.
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