The UK’s specialist retailers are preparing to come together later this month as Farm Shop & Deli Show returns to the NEC in Birmingham as part of the 2024 UK Food & Drink Shows, held from April 29 to May 1.
Farm Shop & Deli Show joins Food & Drink Expo, The Restaurant Show, National Convenience Show, and The Forecourt Show, to bring the grocery, specialist retail, wholesale, foodservice and hospitality sectors together under one roof.
Promising a world of advice, insight and innovation shared through the lens of this specialist industry, visitors will leave with practical information, as well as hundreds of innovative new products to take with them into their businesses in 2024 and beyond.
With a sold-out show floor, expect to see the latest trending products from across the sector,as well as the essential services designed to help businesses stand out.
Some of the most significant exhibitor names include British dairy company Yeo Valley (Stand J151), Godminster Cheese of truckle fame (Stand S181), purveyor of artisan spirits Silent Pool Distillery (Stand J199), Isle of Wight Tomatoes (Stand K228), and Wild Oats: the supplier of a new oat milk created especially for baristas (Stand BB239).
For the more practical side of running your farm shop, The EPOS Bureau Ltd (Stand M209), CXCS – bespoke health and safety and HR management services (Stand J224), and The Farm Retail Association (Stand M179) will all be on hand to offer advice and support.
A number of favourites returning to the event include the much-anticipated Farm Shop & Deli Show Product and Retailers Awards – the latter of which will reveal its winners live on stage on Monday April 29. Britain’s Best Loaf competition will be back once more and will be announced on stage on Tuesday April 30, alongside a new event: Britain’s Best Cake, which will be announced on The Grocer Stage on Monday April 29.
Dragons’ Pantry is also back after popular success last year, with a new batch of brave entrepreneurs facing big characters and big questions as they aim to secure a listing in The Grocer magazine.
Meanwhile, The Farm Shop & Deli Stage will play host to some of the most inspirational and knowledgeable players in the industry, each primed to discuss the sector’s most pressing issues and thought-provoking topics.
Industry heavyweights including John Gill, head of procurement & marketing at Booths; Renée Elliott, founder and owner of Planet Organic; and Julia Kirby-Smith, executive directorof Better Food Traders, have all signed up to offer their expert take.
Key highlights of the schedule’s programme include: meeting the needs of consumers in the specialist retail sector; a force for good: why sustainability matters and how you can do your bit; supplying wholesale: dissecting your biggest route to market; and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the specialist retail sector.
See the full line up of sessions and speakers at https://www.farmshopanddelishow.co.uk/sessions-2024#/seminars/
The UK Food & Drink Shows are the product of award-winning event organiser William Reed. Andrew Reed, managing director – wine & exhibitions of William Reed, said: “Farm Shop & Deli Show is a unique event in the specialist retail sector diary, allowing industry professionals to come together and digest the state of the industry, sharing successes and discussing challenges, and ultimately helping futureproof the sector in its entirety. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned professional, there is something for everyone at Farm Shop & Deli Show, and I urge you to register for your free pass today at https://farm-shop-and-deli-show-2024.reg.buzz/”