Italian chain Ca'puccino to open "hybrid" space with WHSmith at Heathrow

Italian coffee chain Ca'puccino is to open a "hybrid" coffee-shop newsagent branch in Heathrow airport's refurbished Terminal 2, it was announced today.

The upmarket brand's fifth UK store will take over a 3,700 sqm space in what has been dubbed the "Queen's Terminal". It will also have an extra area designed to act as a "hybrid" space with newsagent WHSmith, which will also have its own site in the unit next door. The "hybrid" space's aim is to link the two spaces to provide "flow and convenience" for customers.

This "hybrid" design is said to have helped the brand secure the bid after Terminal 2 challenged retailers to create an innovative design to help travellers make the most of their pre-boarding time. Developers reportedly received five proposals for each retail unit available.

Chief operating officer for Ca’puccino Sofia Dimen said: “The new opening in Heathrow’s Terminal 2 fits perfectly in our global growth strategy. We are delighted to operate in such a prime location. We are thrilled for the new hybrid space and we are happy to embark in this venture with a strong and established partner, such as WHSmith.”

The brand also confirmed that it was open to other possible collaborations with WHSmith in future.

The move is part of Ca’puccino’s wider plans to expand: in July this year owner Giacomo Moncalvo said that he was aiming to open seven to eight new shops by the end of 2014.

Selling traditional Italian coffee, sandwiches and patisserie-style cakes in a modern, “luxury” environment, Ca’puccino has genuine Italian connections, with the owner, investors B4 Investimenti and in-house consultant chefs all hailing from the European country.

Having opened its first UK branch in department store Harrods in 2008, Ca’puccino already has stores in Westfield, White City; The King’s Road, Chelsea; and on Basil Street, Knightsbridge; plus thirteen more outlets across Italy.

Luxury Italian coffee shop chain Ca'puccino plans London-wide expansion >>

Ca’puccino opens at Harrods >>