New prices, boutique for Nespresso

STUFFING your suitcase with cartons of Nespresso from overseas is a thing of the past, now that prices of the brand's Grand Cru coffees have been reduced by about 20 to 30 per cent in Singapore.

The Kazaar and Dharkan Grand Cru, for instance, which were originally S$1.07 are now S$0.76; while the Ristretto series with all Espresso capsules have been adjusted from S$0.91 to S$0.68. Variations Grand Cru which retailed for S$1.15 are now S$0.82; and Limited Edition has dropped from S$1.20 to S$0.88.

The news coincides with the opening of the new Nespresso boutique at Raffles City Shopping Centre earlier this week, adding to the brand's network of more than 450 globally. It entered the Singapore market in 2008 and the latest outlet is its first outside the Orchard Road shopping belt.

The Raffles City boutique will offer the complete range of Grand Cru coffees, machines and accessories. To celebrate its opening, shoppers can sample Cocorema - Nespresso's answer to local kopi where the textures of condensed milk and sugar are replicated using coconut cream and honey - for the month of November. The recipe is concocted by award-winning mixologist Michael Callahan, who is 28 HongKong Street's founding bartender.

Those who sign up for the brand's membership program Nespresso Club can enjoy exclusive benefits like access to Limited Edition Grand Cru coffee innovations; as well as place orders anytime and anywhere through the official website (www.nespresso.com), the mobile app or call centre (toll-free: 800-852-3525).

Eco-conscious coffee drinkers who participate in Nespresso's recycling program will also receive 10 per cent off vouchers for purchases made at Quan Fa Organic Farm, which uses coffee grounds in the pods as compost for farming.

On the new boutique opening and restructured pricing, Matthieu Pougin, country manager for Nespresso Singapore, says: "The Nespresso promise has always been to deliver the ultimate coffee experience with the highest quality coffee that can be enjoyed every day conveniently. As we continue to grow in Singapore and most recently with the opening of our new boutique at Raffles City, we are also happy to announce this new price to enable more coffee lovers and Club Members to fully benefit from our exclusive Club services in Singapore."