Cairngorm Coffee launches subscription service amid wholesale drive
The business, founded by Robi Lambie in 2014, is aiming to build upon its two successful coffee shops in Edinburgh city centre
Scottish coffee brand Cairngorm Coffee has appointed a new director and unveiled new packaging as as it begins a sales drive to recruit wholesale customers across Scotland and beyond, and launches a new direct to consumer subscription service.
The business, founded by Robi Lambie in 2014, has since opened two successful coffee shops in Edinburgh city centre.
When the pandemic hit, the firm’s Melville Place and Frederick Street coffee shops suffered a 72.5% loss in 2020 as regular customers and tourists stayed at home, and Cairngorm moved into the online sphere, resulting in a 1,100% growth in online orders of clothing and coffee in 2021.
Lambie said the business is now on track to turnover £1m for the first time in 2022.
Harris Grant, co-founder of the Edinburgh-based vegan fashion retailer Treen, has joined as co-owner and operations director.
Grant said: “Good coffee is all about balance, and I feel I bring some organisational acumen to act as a foil to Robi’s creative flair and unparalleled coffee expertise. The business he has built is absolutely incredible and I am so proud to now be a part of it.”
Lambie added: “The pandemic made me think differently. Our main focus had always been the shops, and it’s not an exaggeration to say I was in a state of severe panic when lockdown hit – we went from being on track for £1m turnover to near disaster. However, looking back, it was the best thing that ever happened to the business. It made me expand my horizons and it opened my mind to what’s possible.
“What seemed like the worst thing that ever happened has in many ways been a good thing. It has caused me to completely re-evaluate everything – from how our coffee is packaged to how we reach customers who live outside of Edinburgh to whether I wanted to go it alone as a solo business owner.”