Windmill Café & Roaster transformed its retail coffee business with one surprisingly simple change: upgrading to premium, branded Custom Coffee Bags made from compostable zipper-top materials. This packaging shift, powered by BioPouches, helped the café achieve a 30% increase in sales in just six months while strengthening its brand and sustainability story.

From Great Coffee to Great Presentation

For over five years, Windmill Café & Roaster had been roasting high-quality coffee and building a loyal local following. However, their original packaging was basic and did not reflect the care and craftsmanship that went into every roast. As they began supplying local supermarkets and selling more retail bags in their café, they needed packaging that could stand out on the shelf, feel premium in the hand, and communicate their values in seconds.

This is where the switch to BioPouches’ Custom Coffee Bags became a turning point. The new bags combined functionality, brand storytelling, and sustainability in one cohesive package.

What Changed When They Upgraded Their Packaging

Windmill Café & Roaster moved from standard bags to custom, zipper-top compostable pouches designed specifically for their brand. The upgrade focused on three key areas: usability, design, and messaging.

Functional Features Customers Notice

• Zipper-top closure for easy opening and closing and better freshness at home.

• Sturdy structure and a premium tactile feel that immediately signalled higher quality.

• Custom sizing suitable for both café retail shelves and supermarket placement.

Customers repeatedly commented on how convenient the zipper was and how premium the bag felt in their hands, which positively influenced their perception of the coffee inside.

Design that Turns Coffee into a Gift

• Clean, modern branding that matched the café’s identity.

• Seasonal designs for New Year and Valentine’s Day that turned coffee bags into ready-made gifts.

• Eye-catching colours and finishes that stood out both in-store and on supermarket shelves.

After the redesign, customers did not just buy the coffee for themselves; they started buying it to gift to friends and family. The packaging elevated the product into something gift-worthy without changing the coffee itself.

Clear, Trust-Building Information on the Bag

• Brief company story to build emotional connection at a glance.

• QR code linking to more details, brewing tips, or the online shop.

• Social media handles to encourage community, reviews, and repeat engagement.

Instead of a plain bag with minimal information, every pack became a small billboard for the brand, guiding customers to connect, follow, and buy again.

Sustainability That Customers Understand

One of the most powerful aspects of the new packaging was its compostable structure. Windmill Café & Roaster chose compostable bags that can break down in industrial composting facilities and even in home backyards under the right conditions. The team actively educated customers that the packaging was easy to compost, turning a technical feature into a simple, memorable benefit.

This clear sustainability message helped the café stand out among competitors and aligned perfectly with the values of eco-conscious shoppers. For many customers, choosing a bag of coffee with compostable packaging felt like the right decision, not just a tasty one.

Real-World Impact: 30% Sales Growth in Six Months

Within six months of switching to custom packaging from BioPouches, Windmill Café & Roaster saw a measurable uplift in performance:

• Approximately 30% increase in overall coffee bag sales.

• Significant growth in repeat purchases, as customers recognised and returned to the distinctive bags.

• More units sold as gifts, especially around New Year and Valentine’s Day.

• Strong, positive feedback about the look, feel, and sustainability of the packaging.

Operationally, the transition was smooth. There were no major challenges in storage, sealing, or handling. The BioPouches team supported the café with timely deliveries and user-friendly bag designs, including the practical open–close zipper feature that staff and customers appreciated.

Co-Branding and Expanded Retail Presence

Windmill Café & Roaster is both a café and a roastery, and the new packaging helped bridge that dual identity. With confident, professional-looking Custom Coffee Bags, they were able to place their coffee in local supermarkets and partner with other cafés.

Co-branding opportunities with partner cafés and retailers brought additional visibility. The consistent, premium packaging created a unified brand image wherever the bags appeared, whether on a local café counter or on a retail shelf.

Comparison: Standard Coffee Bags vs Custom Coffee Bags

Key Lessons for Cafés and Roasteries

Windmill Café & Roaster’s experience shows that packaging is not just a container; it is one of your most powerful marketing tools. A well-designed custom bag can:

• Improve shelf impact and recognition in both cafés and supermarkets.

• Increase perceived value, making your coffee more suitable for gifting.

• Communicate sustainability clearly, which matters to modern consumers.

• Encourage repeat purchases by making it easy for customers to remember and find your brand again.

Importantly, these results were achieved without changing the coffee itself. The upgrade was entirely in how the product was presented and communicated through packaging.

Ready to Upgrade Your Coffee Packaging?

If you run a café or roastery and want to grow sales, strengthen your brand, and communicate your sustainability values, your packaging is an excellent place to start. Custom, compostable bags with thoughtful design and features can make a measurable difference in how customers discover, choose, and remember your coffee.

Contact Biopouches team to start designing your next pouch.