Dualit sees high demand for coffee capsules

Caffeine-loving Brits have been stocking up on coffee capsules during the Covid-19 lockdown, upmarket kettle and toaster maker Dualit said on Monday.

The firm is owned by Leslie and Alex Gort-Barten, son and grandson of the late Max Gort-Barten who founded Dualit in Camberwell in 1945. As well as making kitchen appliances, it also sells goods such as espresso pods.

Managing director Leslie Gort-Barten said since the government announced the lockdown in March, and retailers that stock Dualit were forced to close shops, sales from the brand’s website have jumped 90%.

Gort-Barten added: “This includes a more than 60% increase in sales of our coffee capsules, indicating that many customers are continuing the trend of the last month of stocking up on grocery products.”

The West Sussex-headquartered company has heightened safety measures in place for warehouse staff and couriers working during the coronavirus crisis, and a number of people are working remotely, Gort-Barten said.

The comments came as Dualit filed its accounts for the year to June 2019. Turnover slipped to £20 million from £20.4 million, while pre-tax profits rose to £421475 from £207772.