As summer breaks end and employees return to the office, businesses are looking for ways to ease the transition and bring teams back together. A good strategy for doing that is to upscale the automated beverage system/office coffee system offerings with autumn flavours, well, one specific flavour — pumpkin spice.

According to new research from Nespresso focusing on the UK, the coffee break is becoming the ultimate tool for the ‘post summer holiday’ office reset with nearly two thirds (64%) of respondents excited for autumn’s arrival, a sentiment that rises to over 75% for 18-34-year-olds.

The data highlights Brits are ready for the return of autumn routines and for 58% of employees, workplace coffee rituals provide an essential reset after the summer break. Beyond a personal reset, Nespresso’s research finds that these moments are driving team connection as over half (57%) of respondents agree that grabbing a hot drink with colleagues is the perfect way to catch up after the summer.

Silvio Pella, B2B commercial director at Nespresso UK&I, said in a statement, “Our research highlights just how much people lean into seasonal flavours, and the important role coffee plays in autumn rituals as UK workers seek comfort and connection. For too long, office coffee has lagged behind the premium, seasonal experiences people enjoy in their personal lives.”

According to Nespresso, historically, the office coffee break has been treated as just a quick caffeine hit, meaning businesses often miss a simple opportunity to make their teams feel valued. Every autumn, while coffee shops, cafés and retailers (online and brick ‘n mortar) cater to a massive consumer demand for seasonal flavours, corporate environments have traditionally watched from the sidelines.

This disparity represents a missed opportunity for businesses looking to enhance their employee value proposition, particularly among younger demographics who drive this trend. To capitalise on this annual trend, Nespresso is introducing a limited-edition pumpkin spice to its professional range this year. Pella explained that with office coffee, “it’s about investing in company culture, ensuring workplaces can finally share in the seasonal excitement that helps bring people together.”

Per Nespresso’s research, conducted by Censuswide, among a sample 2,000 UK employees aged 18+, with 43% of 18-to-34-year-olds eagerly anticipating the arrival of pumpkin spice drinks each year, bringing the beloved flavour into business environments ensures that workplaces can finally participate in the seasonal excitement — especially considering that over half (57%) of Brits are more likely to treat themselves to a special coffee during autumn.

Nespresso’s findings further revealed that among respondents:

• 58% say workplace coffee rituals provide an essential reset after the summer break; a need that rises to 67% among 25-34-year-olds.
• 64.3% are excited for autumn’s arrival, a sentiment that grows to 78.9% of 25-34-year-olds and 75.2% of 18-24-year-olds.
• 57% agree that grabbing a hot drink with colleagues is vital for catching up after the holidays.
• 43% of 18-34-year-olds eagerly anticipate the arrival of pumpkin spice drinks each year.
• 57% are more likely to treat themselves to a special coffee during autumn, a trend driven by 69% of 25-34-year-olds and 64% of 35-44-year-olds.

Pumpkin spice is big business — and continuing to grow globally. So, while offering pumpkin spice coffee to elevate the workplace coffee break experience, businesses may also want to consider adding pumpkin spice tea for the non-coffee drinkers who also enjoy the seasonal flavour. It’s pumpkin spice season so rather than fighting it, embrace it!

Vanessa L Facenda is editor of Tea & Coffee Trade Journal. She may be reached at: [email protected].