Let’s get back together! Register now for Food & Drink Expo, the flagship event for retail, wholesale and foodservice audiences, which returns 25th – 27th April at the NEC Birmingham, to help you network, reconnect and get inspired about tackling the key challenges in the new normal.
Food & Drink Expo attracts buyers from grocery, wholesale and manufacturing through to foodservice and retail. We’re set to draw even more senior buyers than ever with a programme that combines exclusive content and peer to peer networking.
Find out what matters most in the food and drink industry right now. Discover sustainable solutions to future proof your business and innovative ways to give surplus a purpose. Get the inside track on 2022’s latest, greatest product launches. Connect with new and existing suppliers, and hear from game changing start-ups. And catch our sister events, all under one roof.
Register now for your free show pass to 2022’s most comprehensive programme of demonstrations, interactive live debates and tastings, all focused on improving the bottom line.
Visit: https://foodanddrinkexpo-2022-visitor.reg.buzz/ today to register for your free pass.
With the show fast drawing near, here’s a glimpse of some of the highlights you can expect to see:
#1. Insights to go, with Lumina Intelligence (10:20, 25th April 2022)
The lines between foodservice and retail are blurring as the likes of Gregg’s, Nando’s and Leon break into in-store food-to-go and branded products. Come and get the lowdown on this omnichannel evolution with Flora Zwolinski, Senior Insight Manager at Lumina Intelligence and enjoy a free coffee on us before the show kicks off.
(Venue: The Grocer Talking Shop Live)
#2. A reuse revolution: Is reusable packaging the future of grocery? (11:00, 25th April 2022)
Single-use plastic may have made a comeback during COVID – but research shows the public still care deeply about the scandal of plastic waste. The market is now exploring reusable solutions, and our expert panel will outline what this means for the sector, with best practice and tips on investing in the circular economy.
(Venue: The Grocer Talking Shop Live)
#3. The view from the top: Where are we now? (12:40, 25th April 2022)
What matters most to the food and drink sector right now? BBC journalist Louise Minchin will be asking industry heads and a retail economist for their insights on the pressing issues and key trends across the landscape. In a fast-changing business world, come and discover a more profitable way forward for 2022.
(Venue: The Grocer Talking Shop Live)
#4. Talking Food Strategy with Henry Dimbleby (13:30, 25th April 2022)
As well as co-founding Leon and The Sustainable Restaurant Association, Henry Dimbleby is independent lead of the National Food Strategy, informing the government’s first food strategy in 75 years. Come and hear what the industry has told him, and what to expect from a wide-ranging strategy set to shape everything from tech to health and food security.
(Venue: The Grocer Talking Shop Live)
#5. Trend forecasting: Lifting the veil (14:20, 25th April 2022)
The food industry is increasingly trend-led, with what’s new translating into products on-shelf with ever faster speed. It’s crucial for retailers to keep up to date on fresh trends – but how do you define and find them? We hear from forecasting experts and explore top tools and products retailers can use to find their next shelf superstars.
(Venue: The Grocer Talking Shop Live)
#6. Dragon’s Pantry: Pitch and ditch, or set Seriously rich! (10:00, 26th April 2022 and 15:00, 27th April)
Are you ready to witness the ultimate retail test? Watch and learn as brave entrepreneurs meet our fearsomely-experienced industry ‘dragons’ to make their 15-minute pitch. Success could bring a new listing and coverage in The Grocer, while everyone gets invaluable insights into what works in-store.
(Venue: The Grocer Talking Shop Live)
#7. Reality Bytes: Get clued up on food industry automation (11:00, 26th April 2022)
From grocery-delivering drones and walk-out technologies to factory-working robots, food industry automation is always in the news. Jason Bradbury, former host of The Gadget Show, will assess if the potential matches the reality – highlighting lessons learned so far, how long the tech will take to scale and if robots and drones can offer smart last-mile solutions.
(Venue: The Grocer Talking Shop Live)
#8. Fair play post-COVID: Live interview with Groceries Code Adjudicator Mark White (11:50, 26th April 2022)
The Groceries Supply Code of Practice ensures retailers play fair with suppliers after COVID. The Grocer’s Adam Leyland quizzes Groceries Code Adjudicator Mark White on what this means in practice and the latest developments, including range reviews and delisting, inflation’s impact and how retailers are handling supplier requests for cost price increases – while discussing the insights from the GCA’s annual survey.
(Venue: The Grocer Talking Shop Live)
#9. Innovation, Innovation, Innovation!
The Food & Drink Expo show floor will be swarming with new product launches, with exhibitors including Food and Drink Wales, Bord Bia, Peck & Strong, Meatless Farm, Porky Whites, and St Pierre Groupe. Spot the next sales stars – connect with new and existing suppliers. Your time’s important, so make every minute at the NEC count – visit the ‘Innovation’ product category at www.foodanddrinkexpo.co.uk and browse what’s new for 2022.
#10. Don’t Just Take our Word for it…
Here’s what people said about the last Food & Drink Expo:
“I’ve had the people I wanted coming to my stand, so I’m really happy. I like that there are retailers and really big buyers here, as you don’t often get the opportunity to meet them.”
Puja Rohailla, Founder, Nuto Snacks
“It’s been really busy. Having lots of interesting conversations with people, it’s going really well. We need to be at places like this to have a presence to meet new people, to get contacts, but also share our story and how important we are to other people’s businesses.”
Jessica Gray, Marketing Manager, Bottlegreen Drinks (SHS Drinks)
“This is a time of reinvention for retailers and there’s nowhere better to come than somewhere like this.”
Lord Mark Price, former MD
