Costa hit by shortages as customers complain food is missing from shelves

COSTA has been hit with shortages of popular menu items due to supply issues.

Customers have been left frustrated after being unable to get their hands on various food items in store.

The coffee chain has confirmed that it is facing distribution issues which have impacted supply at some of its stores.

Among the affected items are toasties, cakes and breakfast baps.

It’s understood that the issues began following an incident at the depot of one of its distribution partners. 

Sources suggest huge quantities of baked goods have been damaged and are no longer safe to eat.

A Costa Coffee spokesperson said: “We are aware of the disruption at one of our distribution partners, which has temporarily impacted deliveries to some of our stores.

“We are working to ensure that disruption to our customers is minimised in the affected areas.

“In the meantime, we have taken steps to maintain service across our stores and are committed to providing the high-quality experience that our customers expect.”

One reader told The Sun that when she visited two separate Costa coffee shops in the Midlands this week there were no toasties or pastries.

She said: “I stopped at the services on the way to where I usually go for a walk. I asked for a pain au raisin but there was hardly anything there.”

Disappointed, she was forced to purchase her pastry from another shop.

Meanwhile, customers have taken to social media to voice their frustration.

One Facebook user said: “Costa Coffee stores across Leicester and other counties are currently dealing with a stock shortage across food and cake supply due to a major issue at our distribution depot.

“This is a polite reminder that this is through no fault of mine, any of my staff, or Franchise staff, or our HO.

“Please be mindful that we’re heading into our busiest time of the year in the hospitality industry as it is, and we have added extra stress now on top.”

Another took to social media website X and said: “The poor Costa Coffee workers, the lights have been out for weeks in their corner of Tesco and now there’s a supply issue and no fridge stock. 

“Regardless they smile and serve.”

It is not the first time that the popular coffee franchise has faced supply chain issues.

In 2021 it had a shortage of decaffeinated coffee beans in various stores.

In a reply to a customer’s post on X, it said: “We are facing some supply chain issues just now. We’re working hard to resolve this ASAP.”

Other shortages

Last week Tesco shoppers were unable to get their hands on grapes in their local branches and online.

It is understood that the supermarket faced supply issues due to low harvest yields in Spain.

Meanwhile, Morrisons also faced a shortage of fresh produce after a malware attack.

Software used by the retailer, which is provided by Blue Yonder, to control its supply chain was hit by hackers in November.

It saw shoppers struggling to get their hands on a host of popular items in store and online.

Elsewhere, families in the West Midlands may miss out on the festive staple after HGV drivers who deliver poultry decided to stage strikes.

The union Unite warned that “residents in the West Midlands could see empty tables this Christmas” as a result of the industrial action.

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