The National Convenience Show looks set to fulfill its promise to be the UK’s biggest convenience retail event in 2011 as the industry lines up in support.

The organisers have signed partnership deals with eight of the industry’s largest suppliers with more in the pipeline. The current line up includes wholesalers Booker and Costcutter alongside drinks companies Molson Coors and Heineken UK, Imperial Tobacco, Allied Bakeries, Arla Foods and dairy specialist Robert Wiseman Dairies.

The exhibition will feature hundreds of companies and brands, with big names such as Coffee Nation, Kerry Foods, Philip Morris, Unilever and Warburtons appearing alongside a wide range of smaller, niche providers.

Andrew Reed, managing director of events and exhibitions at William Reed Business Media, the organisers of NCS, said: “We’re succeeding in our aim to create the convenience retail community’s biggest get together of 2011. We’ve secured the big names you’d expect, plus a plethora of new and unusual organisations with products for sale as well as retail innovations to improve store performance. Literally dozens of exhibitors will be using NCS to launch new products into the UK market.”

William Reed has brought together three of the industry’s key events under one roof – NCS plus the ACS Summit and the Grocer Lunch. Steve Fox, retail director of Booker, said: “I believe retailers will gain a lot of useful information to help them operate a profitable business during 2011 and that this will be a great opportunity for us to meet many different retailers from across the convenience industry. We will be focusing on how Booker can help independent retailers business through our choice, price and service. And I am looking forward to gaining feedback too.”

The National Convenience Show, which replaces the Convenience Retailing Show, offers a range of new and interactive features including: Ask The Experts, which offers visitors private one-on-one consultations on the retail challenges they face; and Live @ the Counter, which is a three-day programme of events, panel debates, live interviews, product demonstrations and tastings designed to inform, challenge and entertain.

Live @ the Counter will also feature celebrity appearances by Gregg Wallace, front man for MasterChef and Turn Back Time – The High Street and former greengrocer, who outlines his priorities for retail success, and actor Jimmi Harkishin reveals the retail secrets of Coronation Street’s Dev Alahan.

Visitors to NCS will also be able to attend the conveniently co-located ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) Summit on Tuesday 1 March, where the future of the industry will be debated by some of its most recognised leaders. Keynote speakers confirmed to date include innocent founder Richard Reed, and CEO of Greggs, Ken McMiekan.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Ken will bring an interesting perspective on competition – encouraging our members to think about how, in their drive to meet consumers’ need for convenience, they’re going to have to compete, not just with other stores, but with chains like Greggs. Richard Reed, on the other hand, will offer an inspirational personal message about the way to do business – how to develop a business with your own values instilled into it.”

For more information about the National Convenience Show contact show manager Jack Halliday on 01293 610352, email jack.halliday@william-reed.co.uk or visit www.nationalconvenienceshow.co.uk

 

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