Melitta USA Increases Northeast Distribution of Newest Single-Serve Option

CLEARWATER, Fla., June 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Melitta USA furthers its reputation for innovation and quality with its newest single-serve option, Melitta Cafe de Europa Gourmet Coffee for Keurig-style machines*. Reminiscent of a true coffee brewing experience – and unique to the single-serve category – consumers can see and smell their coffee from the moment they remove the cup from its individually sealed freshness pack.

With the recent addition of Stop & Shop, Giant PA, Giant MD and Martin's, Melitta's gourmet single-serve coffees now have distribution in most major retailers in the Northeast. Based on steadily climbing same-store sales and positive word-of-mouth, further geographical expansion is highly likely. 

"Once consumers try our single-serve gourmet coffee and realize they no longer have to choose between great flavor and convenience, they're hooked," says Vice President of Marketing Chris Hillman. "Designed with the environment in mind, our cups are the first 100 percent recyclable single-serve option in the market."

As part of the Cafe de Europa Single Serve Gourmet Coffee rollout, Melitta executed several product sampling and social media giveaway initiatives that increased awareness and trial. Feedback from a recent in-home sampling program included the following:

• "Genius! There is nothing I love more than the smell of opening a fresh bag of coffee, but since I've been using my [single-serve brewer] I don't really get to enjoy that anymore. Now I can! These cups will give every coffee drinker the full experience back…" – Nicole W.
• "This coffee tasted amazing! It comes in these unique filter cups that work in Keurig machines, but the perk is that you get the great aroma of the coffee grounds…instead of having that heavenly aroma hidden in a sealed cup…LOVE the taste and the design!" –Dawn S.
• "I wasn't sure what to expect from the Melitta single-serve coffees…The innovative design of the [cups] really makes a difference! The filter built into the [cup] gives you a fresh brewed taste unlike other [cups]. It also makes the grounds easier to access for composting. Well done Melitta!" –Katherine S.

Melitta's Cafe de Europa Single Serve Gourmet Coffees – available in four delicious varieties, including Classique (medium roast), Vienna Roast (dark roast), Blanc et Noir (a blend of light and dark roasts) and Espresso Toscana (extra dark roast) – are available for purchase at www.melitta.com, www.amazon.com and most major retailers, including Shop Rite, Weis Markets, Stop & Shop, Giant PA, Giant MD, Martin's, A&P, Food Emporium, Superfresh, Waldbaum's, Pathmark, Shaw's, ACME, Walmart, DeMoulas, Big Y, King Kullen, Shurfine, Redner's, Hannaford, C-Town, Bravo, Fairway, King's, Thriftway, Shop N Bag, Klein's and Zabar's, among many others in the metro areas of Boston, New York City and Philadelphia. MSRP for a 12-count box is $8.99.   

* Melitta products are not affiliated with or approved by Keurig Inc. Melitta's single-serve cups work in most Keurig-style brewers, except the Keurig VUE^® brewing system.

About Melitta
For more than 100 years, Melitta has dedicated itself to providing the ultimate coffee experience with its premium line of coffee, coffee filters and high quality coffee makers, bringing European indulgence to life. The company was founded in 1908 by Melitta Bentz, after receiving a patent for her coffee filtering system consisting of a filter and filtration paper. The filter system was the first to successfully remove coffee residue in the brewing process, revolutionizing the way coffee was made. Melitta USA, Inc., part of the privately held Melitta Group in Minden, Germany, is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida. Melitta USA produces coffee and filters in North America and markets the line in the U.S. For more information, visit www.melitta.com. Follow the flavor at Facebook.com/MelittaUSA, Twitter.com/MelittaUSA, Pinterest.com/MelittaUSA and Instagram.com/MelittaUSA.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140624/121115

SOURCE Melitta USA