Shipped By Small Teams - Not Warehouses.
In the ever-changing landscape of retail — where independent shops are dwindling and speed seems to trump everything — a question crossed my mind this week:
Should small businesses try to keep up with the retail giants, or should consumers be encouraged to slow down and appreciate a different pace — one that doesn’t involve doorstep deliveries within hours?
Not long ago, I had a conversation with a customer who felt our service was too slow. Their order was dispatched within 24 hours and delivered 48 hours later via our Royal Mail Tracked 48 service. In total, it took three working days — the order was placed on Monday, delivered on Thursday.
To them, that wasn’t fast enough. They felt that in today’s climate, we should be matching companies offering next-day delivery.
It’s not the first time I’ve heard this, and I doubt it will be the last. But it did make me stop and think:
Have we lost sight of the effort and dedication that small businesses put into every single order? Have we come to expect all businesses — regardless of size — to keep pace with a 24/7, fast-delivery culture?
Behind those quick deliveries from big retailers are enormous teams, automated systems, and dedicated delivery networks. They own the infrastructure that allows them to move mountains in hours. Most small businesses, however, work very differently.
For instance, we don’t have a warehouse. Every order is picked, packed, and processed from behind the counter of our small shop. If you’ve visited us, you’ve probably seen the bags lined up along the back shelf — those are your orders, waiting to be shipped. We have a high volume of orders to manage daily. While we’re fulfilling online orders, we’re also serving in-store customers, restocking, answering questions, and doing the hundred other jobs that come with running a small business. We are a small team, and our fabulous team work incredibly hard to get the job done, every day.
And yet, we still process and dispatch most orders within 48 hours — just as we promise on our website. Delays only happen around Christmas or when we’re waiting on stock, and even then, we communicate clearly. We use Royal Mail Tracked 48 — which is not a guaranteed timeframe — but often, expectations now are for same-day dispatch and guaranteed 48-hour delivery.
We were told that as our business grows, our service is “declining.” But the reality is: growth doesn’t always mean more resources — at least, not overnight. Yes, we’ve heard the advice:
“Get a warehouse.”
“Hire more staff.”
“Work longer hours.”
And while all of those are valid ideas, they come with hefty costs — ones we can’t absorb without raising prices. They’re things we may consider for the future, but they’re not simple switches we can flick on. And we do not own the building that we are in, that still comes with a sizeable rent that increases, and hefty council rates.
So, here’s the big question:
Should small businesses bow to pressure and adopt the same standards as giant corporations — even if it means compromising their identity, sustainability, or personal touch?
Or should we, as consumers, take a moment to rethink our expectations?
It might be time to slow down — to go back to a time “BA” (Before Amazon), when 3–5-day delivery was the norm, and faster service came with a premium. Even some of the biggest companies don’t offer guaranteed next-day delivery without a fee. Yet we’ve become so used to instant gratification that anything slower can feel like poor service.
As someone who shops online often (because unfortunately I don’t have opportunity to wander the shops), I get the appeal of quick delivery. But I also understand what goes into getting a package out the door.
Let’s not forget what small businesses really are: behind every parcel is a real person — not a robot, not a massive warehouse, just someone (or a small team) working hard to make things happen. Juggling the demands of running a business, often on top of family life, can be overwhelming. It’s no surprise that some small businesses hit breaking points.
That’s why they need our support — not just our orders, but a little more patience, kindness, and grace. Because behind every “out of office” message or slightly delayed package, there’s a story. And that’s something worth supporting.
Comments
Your products and service are outstanding.
That says it all and a Happy New Year to you and all the team.
Please, never change, never destroy your principles for one or two people. You are perfect the way you are. Have loved coming into the shop for years, was introduced to it by my mum in 1950s. Best coffees in town. And when I can’t make it to the shop order online, and what’s a few days waiting, nothing. Please never change. Merry Christmas and a Happy and prosperous 2026
Please don’t change a thing.
Please don’t feel pressured to change.
What you have and what you are doing is so special.
Retail has generally become a vile industry
And customers demanding I want it now attitude simply must stop.
Waiting is good.
Keep your business unique and special
You will not loose loyal customers or new customers.
You’re amazing
I too faced this when Covid hit re my health practice. I was both working and living alone. I tried running faster but lost all the passion for why do what I do. I reverted to all the things that had served me and my clients well communicating it was making me ill the v opposite of my business aims to keep us all in good health and guess what they found they had preferred the chats, the service and realised that it also kept them calmer and living in rhythm as of old and fast forward I am busier than ever going slow!
You and the whole team deserves a huge Thanks!
My lucky to find such a lovely place to buy good coffee from all over the world. Many many thanks for cracking all you do. You are just simply the best \o/
Best coffee in town. You don’t need to change anything.
You offer great coffee and a very good service.
Thank you
I echo all the positive comments made here. I first found your shop when I was a student in London 50 years ago. So I was delighted to discover after years of poorer quality coffee that I could order online. I love to browse through your range and admire how quickly my order arrives. It’s always a real pleasure to open my parcel of delights. Please don’t change. Can’t wait to receive my latest order in a day or two.
So well expressed. Bravo! We love you just the way you are. Please don’t change, your coffee and service are second to none. Your deliveries to us in the West Coast of Scotland are always eagerly awaited and the Royal Mail give a great service. We have much appreciation for all you do and all you stand for.
A big salute to the Algerian Coffee Stores and all the staff that make it what it is. We have been enjoying your coffee and tea since the mid 1970s, first in London and for the last ten years by mail order in West Cornwall. Your service has always been cheery and professional including your expert advice. On our visits to London we still take as much delight in visiting the shop as we did as young students fifty years ago. Viva The Algerian Coffee Stores.
Bravo! Common sense and the golden promise of a pace of life that is much more in tune with the world. I do hope you can resist the pressure to grow into an unrecognisable entity.
World has gone mad… We need to savour the special places that provide amazing bespoke products. Keep doing what you’re doing, the way you’re doing it.
I wonder if the customer you refer to would be more used to ‘coffee-from-a-pod’… Thank you for everything you do and have stood for since I first became a customer over 40 years ago! X
I would expect that most people are quite happy with the delivery times for exceptional coffee.
Please ignore the vocal minority, don’t burn yourselves into the ground trying to please them.
Does anyone else remember “please allow 28 days for delivery”?
We managed to survive then, didn’t we?
Keep doing what you are doing. I love visiting your shop – it’s my favourite in London – and the charm is in the historic ambience and personal service, which is also reflected in the care you take over your postal orders. Warehouses be damned. Your delivery times are clearly advertised and absolutely fine – if someone can’t get organised to order coffee a little in advance of when they’ll need it, that really is their problem, not yours.
Please keep on doing what you’re doing. Unrealistic expectations are the source of much dissatisfaction in our society. You’re absolutely brilliant. Thank you
Keep doing exactly the same, I am very happy with your service. If people want faster receipt of Coffee let them order in time, before they run out, not too difficult?
Ignore the negative comments, you’re a great company with a great product, as someone who has worked in the coffee trade I feel I know a bit about how it can be hard to please everyone. That’s impossible !!
I completely agree with comments already registered. Your delivery service is superb. In addition, your coffee is without match or equal. To be sure I don’t run out, I always order at the start of my last bag. More than enough with your three day turnaround .
I love coming to the shop and my postal deliveries. As many others have requested, please do not change
Please, change nothing.
You do a wonderful job, provide a spectacularly fine service and arguably the finest coffee in London. Nay, the kingdom.
Folks who complain are the sort of people who prefer instant coffee; a pox on them, as Shakespeare would have said.
I am more than happy with your delivery times – and everything about Algerian Coffee Stores. I don’t ever see it as a long wait, and am always impressed how quickly you fulfil the orders, as I have been to your shop many times. More to the point, your lovely tea and coffee are very much worth ‘waiting’ for – if 2 days can be considered a wait.
My only hope is that you keep going exactly as you are. Thank you for what you do! Many of us really appreciate it.