Running alongside IFFE 2007, the Convenience Retailing Show will feature more than 200 big-name companies showcasing their latest innovations for the c-store sector.

There will be new products, equipment solutions and services to see. Many of these are being launched at the show and visitors will be able to take advantage of exclusive deals. Leading symbol groups and wholesalers, including Costcutter, MusgraveBudgensLondis and Nisa-Today’s, will be also be presenting their retailer offers.

In addition, there will be a number of special features and presentations, offering valuable advice and some fresh ideas to help boost business.

== SANDWICH & SNACK SOLUTIONS ==

Food-to-go continues to be a major growth area and CRS will bring together some of the sector’s leading manufacturers and suppliers.

The new Sandwich and Snack Solutions feature on stand B91, which is sponsored by Bake & Take magazine, will look at ways to help maximise profits. It includes a daily programme of interactive workshops where visitors can see new equipment in action and sample products from companies such as Cuisine De France, Geary’s Bakery, Allied Bakeries, and Pataks.

Snow Shock will demonstrate its new Slush Machine, while Kenco will show its coffee-to-go solution.

Projuice is launching new convenience Smoothie Pods and Infuzions will be talking about how to make the most of the explosion in healthy soft drinks.

== DRINKS FOR LIFE BAR ==

The focus on healthy convenience products will continue in the Unilever Drinks for Life Bar at stand H98.

Here visitors can sample the AdeZ range of drinks, which blend fruit juices with non-GM soya, including the latest flavour addition, blackcurrant & raspberry.

== IDEAS TO TAKE AWAY ==

Fellow retailers will once again be talking about the schemes they’ve implemented that have transformed their businesses in the ever-popular Ideas to Take Away feature, sponsored by Cadbury Trebor Bassett. This year’s film, which will run throughout the show, includes a Londis retailer who has taken up the slack following post office closures and is taking a service to the people, visiting local villages each week. Also on screen will be a Budgens store that’s running a very successful smoothie bar.

Visit stand F80 to see more and to meet the editorial teams of Forecourt Trader, Convenience Store and Pro-Wholesaler magazines.

== SHOP PROJECT ==

Another attraction on stand F80 is the Shop Project 2007. Six leading suppliers have teamed up with Convenience Store magazine to show how making relatively small changes to a store’s range and display can have a big impact on sales and profitability. Two retailers were chosen to receive the treatment and the results can be seen on the stand.

This year’s project sees Bernard Matthews looking at chilled ranges and Burton’s Foods getting to grips with biscuits. Camelot advises on National Lottery, Diageo on alcohol, GlaxoSmithKline on soft drinks and Nestlé Rowntree on confectionery.

== NESCAFÉ & KITKAT CAFÉ ==

A free cup of Nescafé and a KitKat should entice you to stand K78, where a team of experts will be on hand to talk about Nestlé products and offer advice to maximise sales.

The Nescafé.go hot beverage machine will be on show, along with Heaven, Nestlé’s new indulgent chocolate brand. There will also be the chance to sample KitKat four finger, which has a new metallised wrapper that is said to keep the product fresher for longer.

== GALLAHER/MB&R NETWORKING LOUNGE ==

With a raft of new tobacco legislation on the way this year, Gallaher will be on hand to discuss issues and concerns in the Gallaher/MB&R magazine Networking Lounge at stand B49, where there will also be refreshments on hand.

== ALSO NEW AT CRS 2007 ==

l Country Choice will be showing its ’Shop Within A Shop’ concept, which offers a complete foodservice solution. A new range of pizzas - both hot for easy eating on the move and chilled for home cooking - is also being launched at the show, along with a new range of brown bread rolls and baguettes. J70

l Cuisine de France is showing a new range of in-store bakery display units, designed for the convenience market, and new products, including three new fair trade lines. E80

l Nisa-Today’s will be giving away a Smart car via a draw on its stand. D60

l With sales of fresh fruit and veg on the up, MJ Morris & Son is showcasing its fresh produce range, which includes specialist salad items, berries, baby veg and herbs. E99

l Kenco is unveiling its FreshSeal range, which has been designed for convenience with the ingredients contained within the cup and foil-sealed for freshness. As well as Kenco coffee, the range includes brands like Carte Noire, Suchard, PG Tips, Twinings and Bovril. E60

l With healthier snacks increasingly in demand, Sun Valley is showing innovative products under several brand names including, You Are What You Eat, Pretz low-fat pretzels and the new Just range. H91

l First-time exhibitor Bel UK is showing the new squeezable version of its The Laughing Cow Cheese. D80

l Smoothie Bites are being launched by Mister Gorller. The product combines a cereal shell with a smoothie filling. H101

l The new Cracker Drinks range, which is made from crushed fruit, is on show. B80

l Visitors have the chance to win a prize by playing the Rustlers game at the Kepak Convenience Foods stand, where products from the microwaveable hot snack range will also be sampled. K60

l Simply Coffee has a show offer and is running a free prize draw. E91

l JA Magson is launching a new summer toy range and will have special offers on its stand. G81

l ChoicesUK is promoting the ’Big Night In’ concept, aimed at increasing retailers’ incremental revenue from rental and retail home entertainment. G59

l Business property agent Christie & Co is offering visitors a free appraisal service and marketing advice for their businesses. E50

l IDT Global is showing the Prime card - an instant prepaid MasterCard that can be bought over-the-counter with no forms for the customer to fill in, no credit checks and no bank account required. The company says there is no upfront cost and high commissions can be earned. H90

l Inca Jewellery is launching a free display stand, which carries high-quality hair accessories that can be sold at 50p each or two for £1. K73

l On the equipment side, Verco will create a "virtual shopping environment" using equipment from its Classic range of glass door and open-chill cabinets, as well as a bespoke open-chill cabinet. H88

l Alpine Refrigeration is previewing a new corner dairy cabinet that aims to eliminate the need for boxed corners and thus reduce wasted space. H70

l Delta Refrigeration Services is launching the Jaguar ultra-slim, low-front cabinet from Costan. You can also see a new three-door integral frozen cabinet from Euro-Frigo. H80

l A new range of convenience and food-to-go displays will be on show at the Nuttalls Fresh Food Solutions stand, including the new hot and cold ’CounterServe’ unit. K90

l Heartbeat Manufacturing is exhibiting a new rotating advertising system for high-impact, high-visibility and cost-effective advertising. F51

l Eden ShopEquipment is launching its Rolling Basket, which has a telescopic handle designed to reduce the strain of carrying a basket. G69

l Pos Tuning is launching Lift, a pos solution for freezers. K85