Speciality Food Feb/March 2024

fromAvocado Social, insights into retail’s evolution in the age of AI by Sabine Benoit, professor of marketing at The University of Surrey, a session on female-led food businesses hosted by Women in Food, and advice on howAI could enhance the buyer journey. Trends and Innovation IFE’s sister event IFEManufacturing will feature a wide range of presentations and discussions on the Trends & Innovation Platform this year, focused on various topics within food production and development. Topics under the microscope on the show’s Trends & Innovation Platform this year will include the disruptive forces impacting the world suppliers a wealth of insight to help them identify opportunities over the coming year and beyond. “Our combined team of retail, shopper, health, sustainability and economics experts look forward to helping delegates get closer to the UKmarket within an international context, and our exhibition stand on the show floor will offer a space for those vital one-on-one conversations. We’re delighted to be partnering with IFE this year to help delegates get the most out of their visit. We look forward to seeing you there!” Other sessions taking place on the Future Food stage include a discussion on putting customers at the heart of wholesale hosted by the FWD, a social media masterclass 16 F or 45 years IFE has been a trusted product sourcing resource for thousands of retailers, wholesalers and hospitality professionals, highlighting the very latest new products from the UK and around the world, and providing a sneak peek into the trends of tomorrow. IFE is made up of 14 distinct food and drink zones, covering everything from grocery to frozen to bakery and confectionery. New sections for this year’s event include the Cheese Pavilion and the Fresh Produce Section, brought to life in partnership with the Fresh Produce Consortium. Nigel Jenney, chief executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium, says, “It brings me immense pleasure and pride to announce a groundbreaking collaboration between the Fresh Produce Consortium and IFE. Fresh produce is a central part of the global food and drink industry, and this partnership recognises the transformative potential that both our organisations hold within the global food industry.” This year’s event is also set to welcome exhibitors frommore than 50 countries, showcasing hundreds of innovative global products, including Turkey, Thailand, France, Sri Lanka, China, Ecuador, Hungary and Cyprus. Countless retailers, wholesalers, hospitality professionals andmore are already registered to attend this year’s event, including Country Range group category buyer, Viki Wilkinson, who says,“It’s important that we attend IFE to meet new suppliers and keep our member wholesalers’ offering fresh and update. It’s also great to keep forging relationships with our long-standing existing suppliers that we can visit at the show too.” Jean Rossignol, senior buyer at Classic Fine Foods, adds, “I visit IFE to look for new products, meet partners and customers, learn about new trends and products…and taste great food!” The Future of Food On IFE’s Future Food Stage visitors will have the chance to hear from leading industry figures including retailers like Co-Op and Ocado, sustainability pioneers such as Abel & Cole and Rubies in the Rubble, and innovative insight partners including Tried & Supplied, IGD, European Food and Farming Partnerships and Avocado Social. Kelly Orme, buying manager - community buying at Co-op, who will be taking part in a panel titled ‘Navigating the startup scene: Advice from those in the know’, says, “Startups are an important source of innovation and fresh ideas in the food and drink industry. I’m looking forward to joining this panel at IFE 2024 and discussing how retailers can support andmentor suppliers as they scale and further develop their product ranges.” Ed Ayton, sustainability and ethics advisor to Abel & Cole, and panellist on the session, ‘Sustainability pioneers: Global food and drink companies setting the standard’, @specialityfood adds, “Our team always comes back from IFE buzzing with new ideas and networks, so I’mdelighted to be taking part and supporting the programme this year.” Day two of the showwill see IGD curate a fascinating day of content on the Future Food Stage, sessions cover everything from economic forecasts for food and drink retail, to sustainability, health, international retail, and an exclusive case study with a key client of IGD. Sarah Baldock, marketing and communications director at IGD, says, “As IFE’s insight partner we can’t wait to welcome industry to ExCeL London for Food, Drink & Hospitality Week. IGD will be taking to the Future Food stage to offer retailers and The event returns to ExCeL London from 25th to 27th March as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, with three packed days of networking, learning and new product discovery for the food and drink sector EXPLORETHE FUTURE OF FOOD&DRINKAT IFE 2024 THE EXPORTERS HUB Returning for IFE 2024, the Exporters Hub is an opportunity for international buyers to quickly and efficiently source export-ready food and drink brands with infrastructure in place for international sales. For brands and manufacturers, the Exporters Hub also presents an opportunity to meet with export consultants and organisations who will be on hand to answer any questions, provide guidance on successful international selling and shipping, and advise on complementary foreign markets for specific products. This year the hub will see organisations including the UK Government, the Food & Drink Exporters Association, the Institute of Export & International Trade, and the Food & Drink Export Council sharing insights and best practice on topics including sustainable export, reaching international customers, international online selling, overseas marketing strategies, navigating the UK/EU border and much more.