Dossier
Coffee Shops
Coverage of Coffee Shops in the Nexus archive.
- Navigating the tipping minefield: As Gordon Ramsay slaps diners with an 'optional' 20% charge and coffee shops and gyms demand US-style gratuities, MARK PALMER reveals all
Gordon Ramsay's restaurant has introduced an 'optional' 20% tip charge, sparking controversy, while coffee shops and gyms in the UK are also adopting US-style gratuity demands. Mark Palmer discusses the implications of this shift in tipping practices.
- Independent bookstores make quiet comeback as big chains dominate retail
In 2025, 422 new independent bookstores opened in the U.S., marking a 31% increase from 2024, according to the American Booksellers Association. Despite predictions of retail consolidation led by Amazon and big chains, independent bookstores and other small businesses like restaurants and coffee shops are thriving.