Wawa Raises Coffee Prices

Wawa coffee drinkers are paying an additional four cents for their favorite brew, as the Mid-Atlantic convenience store chain upped prices on coffee-based beverages across the board as a result of increasing global coffee prices.

The c-store chain attributed the increase to crops in Colombia and dwindling stockpiles in warehouses, according to reports.

Wawa spokeswoman Lori Bruce was quoted saying the increase remains less than the 9 percent to 13 percent hike other coffee sellers are adding onto their cups.

“Coffee costs around the world have been increasing for the past 2½ years due to global coffee shortages and poor crops, yet we have held back on passing these increases along to our customers,” said Bruce to Delco.com. “We really, really try to keep that at a minimum. We’re committed to the best possible pricing. We have held back on passing along other increases.”

Coffee prices have climbed to a 13-year high after heavy rains hit the Arabica crops in Columbia, according to a Business Week report. American coffee stockpiles, meanwhile, are at their lowest levels in 10 years.

Wawa’s coffee prices have remained the same since 2008, according to Bruce. A sign above store countertops reinforced Wawa’s value message: “Please be assured that we remain committed to providing the best cup of coffee for the money, coupled with fast and friendly service. Thank you for your continued support.”

Separately, Bruce told Convenience Store News last month that the convenience store chain, which operates more than 575 stores in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, is currently a couple of years away from expanding into any new states.

Wawa CEO Howard Stoeckel, in his Bird’s Eye View blog on the retailer’s Web site, did acknowledge the retailer was actively engaged in looking for sites in the Sunshine State.

“While we are still working through the details of the expansion plan,” wrote Stoeckel, “what we can say is that we are planning to open stores in the central market of Florida in late 2012.”

However, Stoeckel made clear that the retailer’s immediate focus is on its home markets. “We will continue to ‘renew our vows’ to our customers, associates and communities here in our five state market — with more than 20 new stores opening this year,” he wrote.