Inter-planetary

With its latest stand-alone outlet, UAE-based Coffee Planet aimed to create the antithesis of a conventional coffee shop.

Heralding a new direction for the coffee retail environment, the interior of the Abu Dhabi National Bank outlet promotes a message of individuality, confidence and modernity. It aims to position Coffee Planet as a forward-thinking, original and refreshing alternative to the more traditional coffee brands. “What we set out to do was challenge convention,” said Robert Jones, head of business development, Coffee Planet.

Selling the freshest coffee in the UAE, roasted in our very own roastery, enjoyed in a refreshingly modern interior. Still comfortable, still enjoyable and still serving great coffee – just not in an overly Americanised environment that people have become used to and, to a certain degree, bored with,” Jones continued.

“The design of the interior was driven by the concept-thinking for a complete departure from the coffee retail norm – the usual ‘brown’ outlets – and to come up with something that embraced a more forward-thinking attitude, which we felt was a vital part of the Coffee Planet business.”

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The new outlet sets itself apart not only in the vibrancy of its varied colour palette but also in the overriding sleekness of its finishes, Jones continued. “This is not something people usually relate with coffee shops.”

This ‘sleekness’ covers everything from counter design and merchandising style through to the furniture and light fittings. The modern style of the outlet also ties in with the ‘planet’ part of the brand name, Jones explained.

“We intended to give the interior a more other-worldly feel, with influence drawn from space travel exploits over the last 40 years,” Jones explained.

“We also felt that we had to capture a more youthful market that has grown up with iPods, iPhones and Macs – the Apple generation,” he concluded.

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