Costa

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The hand proves mightier than the machine

Consumers are rejecting machine-produced items when buying everyday products in favour of handmade.

When it comes to food, drinks and clothing, Britons prefer handmade items that have been uniquely crafted by skilled specialists believing them to be of a higher quality than machine made equivalents.

According to an independent nationwide study commissioned by Costa Coffee, a third of consumers admitted they were now buying more handmade items than a year ago with 40% saying they would be happy to spend more for handmade goods despite difficult financial times. A quarter of these people said they would even spend up to 20% more.

Every single cup of coffee sold in Costa coffee shops is made by hand using traditional Italian manufactured espresso machines that rely heavily on the skill of highly trained baristas to control the entire process from bean grinding to milk frothing. This personal touch ensures Costa produces the best tasting and quality product possible, bespoke for each customer. Many of Costa's competitors by contrast use 'Super Automatic' machines that fully automate the whole process with staff involvement limited to the pushing of a button.

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