One in ten Gen Z Brits admit to matching their takeaway coffee cup to their outfit, with younger consumers spending an average of £199.68 a year on takeaway coffees, according to new research.
The study of 2,000 UK adults, commissioned by McDonald’s UK, found that three quarters (76%) of Gen Z say they care what a coffee cup looks like, compared to 69% of millennials and just 39% of baby boomers. Only 2% of Gen X said they match their cup to their clothing.
Coffee as a status symbol
With coffee prices rising, one in four Brits say coffee has become too expensive, and one in five now describe it as a luxury rather than an everyday purchase. Gen Z are hardest hit, spending 16% more a year on takeaway coffees than the boomer generation.
Despite this, the polling suggests a shift away from the fanciest or most expensive options. Almost a fifth (17%) of Brits say there are too many coffee choices available, while 14% feel coffee culture has become too pretentious.
McCafé revamp and taste test
The findings coincide with McDonald’s UK unveiling a refreshed McCafé offering, featuring a lighter roast made from 100% Arabica beans and new Salted Caramel and Vanilla Syrups. The iconic cups now sport a new purple and yellow design.
Prices for the revamped McCafé drinks start at £1.29 for a single espresso and top out at £2.19 for a flat white, cappuccino or latté. An Americano costs £1.79.
To test the new coffee, KISS Breakfast presenter Chloe Burrows teamed up with McDonald's to challenge Londoners to a blind taste test. Several participants said they would expect to pay between £4 and £5 for the coffee, before learning it was a cheaper McCafé product.
Chloe said: “As someone who's up at the crack of dawn every weekday for radio, coffee is basically a colleague for me at this point and decent coffee is a must. A Maccies Vanilla Latte is my go-to, fuelling those early mornings on air. Plus, I’m not breaking the bank just to keep up my daily coffee habit, so it’s a winner all around!”
