Running alongside IFFE 2005, CRS 2005 brings nearly 200 companies together under one roof. Each will be showing off their wares, highlighting their latest launches and many will be offering exclusive show deals.

As well as all this there are some special features that really make CRS a one-stop shop for convenience retailers.

VIRTUAL STORE

The highlight of the show will undoubtedly be the Virtual Store. So if you want to give your store the competitive edge, generate more profit, attract more customers and keep them coming back for more, then visit stand D80. This is where you’ll see a virtual example of the perfect convenience store.

A film entitled ‘Share the Vision’ shows you how to develop your store to its fullest potential, focusing on first impressions, on keeping up with the latest product developments and embracing new technology.

So whether you’re new to c-store retailing or an old pro; or whether you’re considering a refit or you think there’s nothing more you can do with your store, then this is the film for you. Whatever your situation, you should find a few minutes to visit the Virtual Store on stand D80 – it promises to be informative, interesting and fun!

On the Forecourt Trader/Convenience Store stand (H100) you’ll find two more special features:

IDEAS TO TAKE AWAY

Back for the third consecutive year at CRS, Ideas to Take Away is a short film which plays continuously throughout the show, featuring 10 retailers from across the UK talking about ideas that have transformed their shops.

From the chap who has his community policeman chatting to customers in his store once a month to the man who makes his own sausages, these are ideas to inspire you.

We obviously don’t want to give too much away at this stage but there’s bound to be at least one idea that’ll get you thinking and inspire you to try out something new in your store.

So if you fancy having a look at what other retailers are doing to make their stores more profitable then head on down to stand H100.

SHOP PROJECT 2005

Also on the stand is Shop Project 2005 where five leading suppliers have teamed up with Convenience Store, to show how attention to detail can have a huge impact on the bottom line.

Brown-Forman Bacardi, Burton’s Foods, Nestlé Rowntree, Procter & Gamble and Unilever Ice Cream & Frozen Foods used range selection and merchandising techniques to boost sales of their respective categories in three stores. The results are being unveiled on the stand.

SPONTANEOUS CONSUMPTION

A c-store’s not complete nowadays without some sort of food-to-go offer, however getting it right isn’t always easy. This year’s Spontaneous Consumption dedicated food-on-the-move area is bigger than ever – full of suppliers keen to help you improve your offer and, more importantly, your profitability.

Unilever Foods UK is once again sponsoring the Spontaneous Consumption area and as part of this will be featuring Pot Noodle including a new-look Pot Stop machine and enhanced merchandising stands for use in-store. Peperami will also be on display with its latest additions.

MAGNUM SENSTATION

Visitors to CRS get the chance to reconnect with their sensual side via the Magnum Sense-Station sponsored by Unilever Ice Cream & Frozen Food.

The Magnum SenseStation is part of a £6m marketing campaign behind the limited edition Magnum Five Senses range. The SenseStation itself is a dedicated roadshow which dramatises each of the five senses – aroma, taste, touch, sound and vision. Visitors enter a series of zones which will challenge them to focus on each of their senses in turn, culminating in ‘taste’ – when they get to try the new Magnum Five Senses product.

WHAT’S NEW AT CRS 2005?

• A new 15-minute battery charger will be unveiled on the BLEEP UK stand. A91

• Strange sounds will be heard from the CARD CONNECTION stand where the company will be unveiling its new Sounds Crazee! range. F80

• New cards for 1-7-year-olds will be on display on the CARD LINE GREETINGS stand as well as a stylish new floral photographic range. C49

• CONCEPT DATA DISPLAY, manufacturer and supplier of point-of-sale products will be showing off its new fresh produce unit and in-store signage. F91

• COUNTRY CHOICE is using CRS 2005 to unveil its new look. Retailers get the chance to see new products, equipment concepts, merchandising and pos material. G50

• There’s loads going on on the CUISINE DE FRANCE stand. There’s a brand relaunch, a new turnkey food to go concept plus new savoury products. E110

• E STREET STUDIO/HIGHWAY MUSIC is launching new releases on CD and cassette in a new free-standing floor display. There is also a new display method using Euro

hooks. A100

• JULIAN GRAVES has come up with a new range of impulse purchase snack products. Called A Bit of What You Fancy, the 48 different products come in distinctive silver and black packs. C60

• Three new products will be unveiled on the KELLOGG’S stand – Nutri-Grain blackberry & apple; Special K choc chip bar; and Crunchy Nut choc bar. F109

• Low in fat and carbs but high in protein – that’s JACK LINK’S new beef steak nuggets, available in original, teriyaki and peppered varieties. F100

• The new integral meat and dairy chiller from MANOR CONCEPTS is described as ideal for the convenience sector due to its small footprint and low front height. C69

• New ranges of high-quality, high-value FMCG products are promised from MULTIBRANDS INTERNATIONAL. These include batteries, lighters, washing powder, baby wipes and toothpaste. C101

• Refrigeration manufacturer PASTORFRIGOR will be showing off new units including the Vision low-front integral multideck and the Zeta narrow serveover. G118

• The E-Station is new from PHOTO-ME. It’s a self-service kiosk which allows consumers to print from their digital camera or phone. Connection is either via a printer or minilab. A62

• REDBRIDGE HOLDINGS will be showing off a new longer-life range of fruit and veg that has been specially developed for c-stores. A81

• Sentinel is the new forecourt/large format poster display solution from SIGNWAVES. Designed for quick and easy loading, it offers stability, impact and flexibility. F120

• Head on down to the TARKA SPRINGS stand to see its new range of isotonic sports drinks. D127

• As long as an adder and with more bite than a viper, that’s TOPPS new Crunchy Snake gummy candy. Also on the stand will be new sets of trading cards including Premier League 2005. G121