New Nespresso Boutique Bar Makes the Scene in New York's Famed SoHo Neighborhood

NEW YORK, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Hot on the heels of the success of the Madison Avenue Boutique, Nespresso – the worldwide pioneer in premium portioned coffee – announces the opening of its second Boutique Bar in Manhattan. Located in the cultural epicenter of New York, home to luxury shopping, famed art galleries, chic hotels and more, the new SoHo location brings The New Coffee Culture to downtown Manhattan.

"The New Coffee Culture is about giving people the opportunity to truly savor and enjoy a premium coffee experience whether in a Nespresso Boutique or at home," said Frederic Levy, President of Nespresso North America.  "While we have grown exponentially in the United States over the past few years, there is still a large, un-tapped coffee-loving population that is not engaged in the Nespresso brand.  New York (SoHo) is a natural fit for Nespresso because it is a gateway to the US for many European luxury brands.

"Our boutiques are embassies for our brand," said Richard Girardot, CEO of Nestle Nespresso SA. "They enable consumers new to Nespresso to meet the brand and explore its deep coffee expertise – which is so important as Nespresso builds its presence in new markets."

Nespresso has experienced a strong first six months in 2010 with organic growth above 25% and is firmly on track to pass CHF 3 billion in sales this year. Despite a changing competitive environment, Nespresso earned CHF 2.77 billion in sales in 2009, maintaining its average growth rate of 30% per annum, since 2000. Nespresso continues its expansion into new markets and continues to grow production capacity to meet rising demand. Nespresso continues to be the fastest growing brand in the Nestle Group.

The SoHo Boutique joins new boutique locations opened this year in the international cities of Cape Town, Brussels, Miami and Shanghai as Nespresso continues to grow its global retail network to more than 220 boutiques this year. New flagship boutiques in Munich and Sydney are also scheduled for 2010.

The Nespresso Boutique Bar in New York's SoHo neighborhood is the latest indication of the brand's continued worldwide growth. In 2009, Nespresso saw its retail network reach to more than 190 boutiques.

The SoHo location has a coffee bar that will serve the 16 Grands Crus, offer espresso and espresso-based beverages, and serve a light menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Customers will be able to purchase the full range of stylish machines, accessories and high-quality Grand Cru coffees.

The newest Nespresso Boutique is one of 10 brand-operated boutiques throughout the United States, including Nespresso's flagship Boutique Bars in New York City and Miami, a Boutique in Boston, a Boutique-in-Corner location at Sur La Table in Scottsdale, Ariz., as well as five Boutique-in-Shop locations at select Bloomingdale's (SoHo, N.Y., Chevy Chase, Md., Chicago, San Francisco and Costa Mesa, Calif.). There are also three Nespresso Boutiques located across Canada in Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto.

About Nestle Nespresso SA

Nestle Nespresso SA, the worldwide pioneer and market leader in highest-quality premium portioned coffee, introduces consumers to the world's finest Grand Cru coffees to be enjoyed in the comfort of their own homes and savoured outside the home, in locations such as gourmet restaurants, upscale hotels, luxury outlets and offices. As a company, Nespresso is driven by core competencies that enable it to create highest quality Grand Cru coffees, long lasting consumer relationships, and sustainable business success. The Nespresso offer focuses on its unique Trilogy, the unmatched combination of exceptional coffee, smart and stylish coffee machines and personalised customer service. Together, these three elements deliver moments of pure indulgence – the Nespresso Ultimate Coffee Experiences. Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, with more than 4 500 employees, Nestle Nespresso SA sells products in more than 50 countries directly to its customers. At the end of 2009, it operated a global retail network of more than 190 exclusive boutiques in key cities around the world. For the fourth consecutive year, Nespresso is one of the fastest growing brands within the Nestle Group and one of its "billionaire brands". In 2009, Nespresso achieved global sales of CHF 2.77 billion, maintaining an average annual growth rate of 30 percent since 2000. For more information, visit www.nespresso.com.

SOURCE Nestle Nespresso SA