The Forecourt Show returns to the NEC Birmingham this April (13-15), as part of the UK Food and Drink Shows portfolio.
This year’s Monday to Wednesday event will give attendees insights into the future of forecourts and the evolution of shopper habits, equipping petrol station operators with knowledge that can give their business a competitive edge.
It is one of four shows staged together under the same roof targeting a specific sector which will be of potential interest to fuel retailers:
- The Forecourt Show is the must-attend event for sourcing products, fresh ideas and smart solutions to future-proof your business, whether you are part of a symbol group, an independent forecourt, fuel company or dealer.
- The National Convenience Show is the biggest event for the convenience retailing sector and is a one-stop destination for c-store specific products, services and innovations to help boost footfall and increase basket spend.
- Food & Drink Expo is the destination for discovering fresh ideas, forging connections and gaining insights into the future of food. It attracts key foodservice buyers as well as decision makers from retail and wholesale grocery operations.
- The Farm Shop & Deli Show offers the best-quality local and regional produce alongside exciting new product development and the latest in equipment, labelling and packaging solutions.
Around 1,200 businesses will be exhibiting across the four shows, and more than 25,000 visitors are expected to attend the event to explore services and equipment that will help their businesses flourish, and sample the latest in food and drink innovation.
“This event is crucial because it gives us an insight as to what’s happening in the industry,” said Sharma Garages operations manager Saeed Noorani after The UK Food & Drink Shows last year. “New product launches, brands that we’re not aware of, and the opportunity to interact with suppliers. It gives you a great platform to meet, greet and pick up ideas for your store.”
And speaking two years ago, when the Forecourt Show was last held, Gilbarco Veeder-Root key account manager Anthony Norris said: “We’ve had multiple buyers come and visit our stand. We have the likes of Tesco, Motor Fuel Group, Sainsbury’s, BP and Asda, so really the length and breadth of the forecourt business within the UK. A really good mix and blend of decision makers, influencers and all the people that we need to speak to within the industry.”
Once again, The UK Food & Drink Shows will feature a packed programme of insightful panels, expert speakers and inspiring demonstrations on the topics and trends that are driving the industry.
These include a presentation by analyst Lumina Intelligence on the trends shaping the forecourt market, and a discussion panel on the future of forecourt retail featuring industry leaders. See below for details of some of the sessions that forecourt operators won’t want to miss.
The event continues to evolve to reflect the UK’s vibrant and fast-moving food and drink industry with new attractions for 2026 including:
- Spotlight on Coffee Shop & Café: As the food-to-go market continues to boom, this dedicated space will highlight the latest trends and products shaping the sector.
- Spotlight on Future Foods: This area will celebrate the brands and innovators redefining what good food means by showcasing wellness-driven, clean-label and sustainable products that deliver on taste and convenience.
To ensure visitors make the most of their visit, an online digital event companion will offer a comprehensive event guide, interactive floorplan, indoor navigation and real-time notifications.
The UK Food & Drink Shows is organised by Forecourt Trader’s owner and market-leading business information provider William Reed.
“We are excited to once again welcome exhibitors and visitors to The UK Food & Drink Shows and share with them what makes this industry so vibrant and innovative,” says Dan Dixon, managing director of exhibitions, William Reed.
To find out more and register for free tickets visit The UK Food & Drink Shows website.
Forecourt Show 2026 exhibitors
10 Squared & Pixel Inspiration – Stand LL21
ADI TV – Stand FF19
CMB RVM Solutions – Stand LL39
DICO Carwash – Stand LL10
Easefix – Stand HH08
EdgePetrol – Stand HH31
Essar – Stand LL30
Eurotank Service Group – Stand KK30
Gadjet – Stand EE19
Gilbarco Veeder-Root -– Stand KK20
Glasdon UK Limited – Stand KK19
Greenergy – Stand HH30
Ice Rebus – Stand FF29
IMO Car Wash – Stand JJ09
Informed Sources –Stand MM06
Jet – Stand FF20
Mach 1 Engineering – Stand GG15
Madic UK – Stand GG30
Marco Beverage Systems – Stand FF15
ME Group – Stand LL20
Pay My Fuel – Stand LL29
Petrol Retailers Association and the Car Wash Association – Stand MM08
PriceEasy – Stand KK39
PSD Codax – Stand KK11
Scheidt & Bachmann Energy Retail Solutions GmbH – Stand LL31
Shell – Stand KK10
ShopMate – Stand FF08
Sturdy Products Ltd – Stand FF11
Validator Safes – Stand FF21
VARS Technology – Stand FF09
Washtec – Stand HH10
Panels and presentations
Some of The UK Food & Drink Shows panels and presentations that forecourt operators won’t want to miss include:
Monday April 13
The Convenience shopper: Everything you need to know
11am, Convenience Store Stage
Food and drink insight expert Lumina Intelligence presents the latest data on the convenience shopper. Find out how convenience shopping habits have changed over time, the outlook for the future and how you can adapt to capitalise on these trends.
Competing with the biggest food trends of 2026
12.15pm, The Grocer Stage
A live, interactive gameshow exploring the biggest trends shaping the food and drink industry. From GLP-1 and weight management to gut health, HFSS reformulation, and the UPF debate, discover what’s driving consumer behaviour and how innovative ingredients are transforming product development.
Unlocking growth with TikTok
1.15pm, The Grocer Stage
This session explores how brands and retailers can harness the platform’s unique algorithm, partnerships, and shopping features to drive business results. Hear from industry experts, and successful sellers will share strategies for building visibility, engaging audiences and converting views into sales.
Staff culture: Building a team to thrive
1.45pm, Farm Shop & Deli Stage
In this session, a panel of leading specialist retailers explore how cultivating a positive, inclusive and purpose-driven workplace can directly impact customer experience, employee retention and business performance.
Coffee leaders: A look to the future
2.30pm, Restaurant Stage
What does the future of the UK coffee industry look like? What are the trends shaping it? How has consumer behaviour changed? What are the challenges and opportunities on the horizon? In this session, we sit down with leaders from across the UK coffee industry to dissect all this in detail and more.
Sustainability in UK convenience retail
2.30pm, Convenience Store Stage
This panel brings together leaders and innovators to share actionable insights and success stories that prove going green can also mean growing profits. Discover how convenience retailers can lead the charge toward a cleaner, smarter and more sustainable UK retail landscape.
Tuesday, April 14
Get more of your surplus food to people in need
11am, The Grocer Stage
Compared to other countries, the UK lags behind in efforts to redistribute surplus food to people, with only 1% of food waste making it to communities in need. In this session, industry experts discuss what can be done to support UK food and drink businesses to increase food surplus redistribution, including proposals for mandatory food waste reporting.
Social media trends to watch
11.45am, The Grocer Stage
This presentation will dive into how Gen Z and Millennials are reshaping consumption through values-led choices, and a demand for authenticity and emotional connection. Discover what’s trending, why it matters, and how brands can stay ahead in a landscape where every bite is a statement.
FMCG innovation trends from Expo West
12.30pm, The Grocer Stage
This presentation unpacks the standout trends from Expo West and explores how shoppers in the US and UK respond to innovation. It offers a practical guide to what’s landing with consumers and how to test your way to smarter, faster product development.
The UK forecourt market: Trends to watch
12.30pm, Convenience Store Stage
Lumina Intelligence shares exclusive insights from its recent UK Forecourt Market Report to highlight and explain the key trends to watch in the forecourt channel over the next 12 months and beyond. Understand how consumers are shopping the forecourt channel and how it differs from the wider convenience retail market.
Forecourt leaders: The future of retail
1.15pm, Convenience Store Stage
The landscape of the forecourt market continues to evolve, with fuelling stations becoming destinations. In this session, leaders from across the forecourt sector discuss the trends shaping the future in detail, the opportunities and challenges on the horizon and how operators are adapting.
Retailers’ Den
2pm, Convenience Store Stage
Watch and learn as entrepreneurs stand in front a panel of convenience store experts and make their 15-minute pitch.
QSR leaders: The future of fast food
3.15pm, Restaurant Stage
Leaders from across the QSR channel discuss and dissect the opportunities and challenges on the horizon, the regulatory pressures the industry is facing, the changing needs of consumers and how operators are adapting.
Wednesday, April 15
Vapes: What does the future hold?
10.45am, Convenience Store Stage
The vape category is currently experiencing massive change. What is the impact of these changes, and what effect could these have on consumers? In this session, retailers and experts unpick the category in detail, examining what retailers need to do to prepare for these changes and the impact they could have on the convenience retail market.
How the UK food to go market Is changing
1:45pm, The Grocer Stage
In this session, Lumina Intelligence focus on shifts in product offerings, pricing strategies, and consumer behaviour. Learn how economic pressures, health-conscious trends, sustainability demands, and digital innovation are reshaping what’s available, how much it costs, and how it’s consumed.
Retailers’ Den
2pm, Convenience Store Stage
Watch and learn as entrepreneurs stand in front a panel of convenience store experts and make their 15-minute pitch.
