Costa Coffee and Sainsbury’s open 50th in-store location
The new Leicester site marks a milestone as partners expand UK supermarket coffee rollout.
Costa Coffee and Sainsbury’s have opened their 50th in-store café, marking a key milestone in their UK partnership. The new location at Sainsbury’s Leicester North Superstore began serving customers on April 30, 2026, as part of an ongoing rollout of Costa outlets inside supermarket locations nationwide.
The collaboration, launched in 2024, has expanded rapidly, generating more than 400 jobs and nearly £16 million in combined investment. The Leicester opening created eight new positions and offers Costa’s core drinks range alongside fresh food options, including pastries aimed at both in-store consumption and takeaway.
Sainsbury’s broader strategy includes partnerships with third-party café operators, with more than 150 cafés currently operating across its supermarket network. The integration of Costa stores reflects growing demand for convenient, branded foodservice options within retail environments.
The companies plan to continue expanding the concept, with at least 14 additional Costa Coffee stores scheduled to open inside Sainsbury’s supermarkets during 2026. The initiative complements Costa’s wider presence across the retailer’s estate, which already includes more than 1,500 Costa Express machines in stores and petrol stations.
