Hollys Coffee tops overall consumer satisfaction survey

South Korean consumers found local coffeehouse chain Hollys Coffee to offer the highest level of customer service, the best products and the most favorable impression, an industry survey showed Monday.

According to the survey conducted by the Korea Consumer Agency on 1,031 consumers who had visited the country’s six major coffee chains -- Starbucks, Angel-in-us, Ediya Coffee, Coffee Bean, Twosome Place and Hollys Coffee -- Hollys Coffee received the highest score for overall satisfaction with 3.95 points out of 5. 

The local coffee chain was followed by Starbucks (3.93) and Angel-in-us (3.86).

But in terms of product quality and store accessibility, Starbucks topped both lists with 4.12 points and 4.23 points, respectively, about 0.13 points and 0.14 points higher than Hollys Coffee. 

The survey also showed that 49 percent of respondents said they visited their preferred coffee franchises mainly due to proximity, while 24.7 percent said they visited for the taste of the products. 

The highest number of respondents, 23.2 percent, said they spent an average of 5,000 won ($4.25) per visit at coffee franchises, while 20.7 percent said they spent 6,000 won per visit and 16.3 percent said they spent more than 10,000 won per visit.

When asked how much a cup of Americano should cost, consumers said 3,055 won, about 169 won more than the average price specified the previous year.

By Kim Da-sol (ddd@heraldcorp.com)