The International Food & Drink Event (IFE) was a strong show for exposure to UK conventional grocery retailers and, to a lesser extent, ingredient buyers.
TradeScope was supporting a number of Colorado companies exhibiting in the South Hall. The exhibition organisers acknowledged that separating ingredient exhibitors and UK producers in the North Hall and international pavilions in the South Hall, left some of the South Hall exhibitors with less foot traffic. The organisers mentioned that they plan to address this in 2021 by better integrating the international pavilions into the exhibition by using a couple of connected South Halls for the whole exhibition.
Most of the larger distributors that service UK conventional retail were exhibiting at the show, including Euro Food Brands, Empire Bespoke, GFT Retail, and Buckley & Beale. Confusingly, they were all placed in the South Hall among the international pavilions.
Attending the show was valuable. It remains one of the best shows to meet with conventional retailers and brand ambassadors / distributors servicing conventional retail. IFE alternates year on year with the Food & Drink Expo (next up in 2020) in Birmingham. Both shows offer similar strengths. In addition, the Food & Drink Expo incorporates a Farm Shop & Deli component which provides exposure to that channel.
For more info about IFE or indeed any other food and beverage show, contact Ted Horton.