The forecourt sector has not been forgotten at this year’s National Convenience Show as the Retailer Hub will feature one session dedicated to the industry. Called Taste of the Forecourt, it takes place on Tuesday April 19 at 12.10.

Hosted by Forecourt Trader’s very own Merril Boulton, the session will see a panel of experts (including the PRA’s chairman Brian Madderson, Experian Catalist’s account manager for the UK and Ireland, Arthur Renshaw and Him!’s research manager Blake Gladman) bring you bang up-to-date on the latest trends in the market. How strong is the independent sector? What are the challenges? And what are the key influences that prompt a customer to drive on to a particular forecourt? These are just some of the questions they will answer.

Straight after the forecourt session, there’s the Indie 5000 lunch where you’ll be able to network with your peers from across the industry in an informal setting.

Other sessions taking place in the Retailer Hub include Meeting the National Living Wage, where retailers will discuss how to keep their businesses viable when costs are increasing all the time. Mission Control will look at the evolution of the shopper mission and whether the footfall drivers of years gone by are still as relevant today.

Then there’s More Sociable Media, where an expert will explore new opportunities such as online chat to bring in more shoppers.

To make sure you don’t miss out on these free sessions, pop along to the Retailer Hub as soon as you get to the show, to see the full schedule of events and plan them into your visit.


Win a remote-controlled car

Pop along to Total Gas & Power’s stand (L50) and have a race on their Scalextrics. You’ll have a warm-up round to get you up to speed and then embark on an adrenaline-fuelled 10-lap race. The person with the fastest time each day will be crowned King or Queen of the National Convenience Show Scalextrics Course and be awarded with a Total-sponsored Red Bull Racing F1 remote control car.
While you’re on the stand, you can also hear all about how Total can rev up your business energy supply.


Looking for something a little different?

Many of you are on the look out for products that are a little special or a bit different. The Farm Shop & Deli Show, which is co-located with NCS, is ideal for sourcing innovative new speciality products.
Do you think your customers would like to try bacon-flavoured chocolate? If the answer is yes then you need to check out the Bacon Bizarre 100g chocolate bar which is described as ’salty, smoky and sweet. It’s made with Belgian chocolate and it’s suitable for vegetarians.
Another unusual line is The Foraging Fox’s Hot Beetroot Ketchup. It’s made from a special recipe using chilli and horseradish. It’s 100% natural, with no artificial flavours, colours or sweeteners.
It’s gluten free, allergen free and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
For those wanting something a little more traditional there are The Real Norfolk Cake Company’s cakes which are based on traditional recipes. Products include the Bishops Lynn cake, Norfolk Vinegar cake and Walsingham Honey cake.
Meanwhile, a really popular part of the Farm Shop & Deli Show is the Dragons’ Pantry where entrepreneurs are given 15 minutes to put their new product ideas to a panel of experts. Last year six of the brands pitched secured confirmed listings at the show.


Where and when

NCS 2016 takes place in Hall 8 of the NEC Birmingham from
April 18-20.
Opening times are:
Monday April 18, 10-5pm; Tuesday April 19, 10-5pm; and Wednesday April 20, 10-4pm.
To register for free and to get entry into all co-located shows, visit: www nationalconvenienceshow.co.uk/


National convenience show Exhibitors 2016

Company NameStand Number
365 Business Finance Ltd B43
Accessories Direct DistributionA29
Adams FoodsJ19
Adande Refrigeration LtdH51
Allied Drink Systems LtdA59
AloeB21
Aristocrat Pet SuppliesL05
ATS BetterC40
AVer Information Europe BVL09
BacofoilB51
Bernard MatthewsC59
BeSafe Corporation LtdL08A
Blockhead EnergyA51
Blue Ice Machines LtdJ51
Bobbys Foods PlcL21
Booker Cash & CarryL30/Partner
Business Insight 3K51
Butchers Pet Care LtdB41
Calbee (UK) LtdK49
CashzoneG41
CBE Software LtdG39
Christie & CoG50
Concept Data DisplayE29
Costco Wholesale LtdB49
Crane Payment InnovationsK48
Crediton DairyB50
DaikinH19
Danfoss LtdC21
DauraC18
DC Payments UK LtdC48
De-bang StixH41/Partner
DWE39
Effective Global Solutions LtdH20
EML LtdC30
Environmental CoolingA43
Epta RefrigerationC39
Espresso EssentialA49
Express CheckoutA39
eXpresso PlusL19
Fifo WirelessJ50
Filplastic UK LtdH48
Formbar LtdL59
Forrester (Sales) LtdL29
Friesland CampinaK19/Partner
General MillsL18/Partner
GinstersG19
Golden Casket (Greenock) LtdL17
GOOD Full StopA41
Hall & WoodhouseL07
HC Slingsby PlcB20
HKScan UK LtdG31
HoJay Pet ProductsB29
Homeware EssentialsA31
House of Westphalia LtdG40
HTEC LtdL20
ILS (Europe) LtdE20
Impact Signs LtdE03
IT Retail Systems LtdG51
LP Marketing Wholesale LimitedJ09
Malibu Corporation LtdH59
Markadis LtdJ59
Max Shelf LtdC31
Media PointK40
Metric Group LtdK59
Mom’s Fabulous Hot DogsC50
Mondo Industries LimitedG20
MonolithB38
More DrinksL08
Mr SlushE59
MultiCigE30
My Coffee StationL58
Navarra Retail SystemsG48
NestléE40
Nice-Pak International LtdB48
Nicocig LtdK41
Nomadic Dairy LtdB59
Notemachine LtdG28
Odeiga House LtdF18A
ParcellyK09
P&C Advisory ServicesJ10
Pelican Rouge Coffee Roasters BVE50
Platon LtdK08
Point Four Epos SolutionsC29
PopchipsL61
Pragmatic International Trading LtdK11
Premier Estates WineJ41
PropercornG58
Razorwire EnergyA21
RetroscentsL51
Riverside CardsH58
Rollover LtdG59
Sci-Mx NutritionE38
Second Nature LtdC38
Sherriffs Foods LtdC51
Snowshock SlushH49
S&R Tradelink LtdL31
Still & BubblyC20
Stone Willy KitchenJ48
StrongPoint Technology ABJ18
Su-Bridge Pet SuppliesJ02
SubwayG30
Tate Business Group LtdG49
Thai Tana LtdB44
The Chancellor Tobacco Company (UK) LtdE41
The Cleaning Consultancy LtdE21
The Fruitypot FamilyH50
The Primal PantryC28
TLM Group Technology Ltdand Ocean DynamicsK10
Total Gas & Power LtdL50
Triosgroup Plc/A1 Engineering Solutions LtdE51
Typical Green Juice SmoothiesF20
UK Security & Vizadzz LtdB40
Under Age SalesB30
Up and GoC49
Us 4 SlushE48
VardellsB39
VDMS LimitedB31
VOW RetailK18
Walker Bros (Elland) LtdK50
Western UnionE31
WikingerB58
YourCash LtdJ11