Well IFE is finished for another two years. The general feeling from exhibitors was that it had been a very good show, considerably better than two years ago, which was very dispappointing for some. Visitos numbers seemed to be up, and with the exception of the free-loaders on the last day, the quality was OK. Having said that the number of people trying to sell us products when we are there to sell to customers was almost difficult to cope with. (more…)
I have just come back from the annual conference for farm shops run by FARMA. In my opinion, it is one of the best get-togethers of independent retailers during the year. That’s why I always go, not only to spend some time with some of our top customers, but also to learn more about our favourite customer group – farm shops.
This year was no exception; one of the main thrusts of the conference was the need to embrace social media. (more…)
Reflecting on my week, a very busy one, I have been thinking about the difference in behaviour between large and small companies. There were certainly companies of all sizes at SIAL last week in Paris. Amazingly, despite the general strikes and fuel shortages in France this week, I managed to get there and back OK. Partly due to getting a ridiculously early flight on Tuesday morning, which meant that Tuesday was a very long 23 hour day after some socializing in bars at the end! SIAL is one of the best international shows I go to. It’s massive and attracts both larger companies and also a vast variety of smaller food producers from around the world. (more…)
Well, it’s over for another year. Fresh RM are claiming it was the best ever with nearly 600 exhibitors. Certainly the exhibitors’ drinks on the first evening was more crowded and noisy than I ever remember! I have exhibited at this show from the beginning, and so have 11 years of experience. As the show has become larger it has changed in character; I would say that there isn’t quite the buzz that there used to be in the early years, but most definitely an increase in professionalism. (more…)
I have always thought 4 days is too long for a food show, but the time simply flew by at the NEC last week. It’s always the sign of a good show when the show finishes for the day and you realise that you haven’t eaten or been to the loo all day and haven’t noticed. This happened to me on at least two days during the show. Too much information, probably, but this show was the best we have been to (except Speciality Food Show) for a long time. (more…)
I have just come back from a UKTI trade mission in Mexico – this is the second such trip I have been on – and, as on the previous occasion, I am struck with the potential of UK companies to do business in other countries. Apart from representing our British food products in other countries these trips always do as much in educating and inspiring me as well as achieving goals for the export side of the company.
I have just come back from Farm & More Conference, where there were record numbers of delegates and a thriving trade show alongside it. There was a general feeling of buoyancy about last year, despite the recession, which would have been even more optimistic had many of the retail outlets not been hit hard by the snow at the start of January. There were stories of new farm shops that had reached over £1million turnover in their first year and several more established shops now trading at £3-4million. (more…)
I am writing this week’s entry still feeling exhausted after a very busy Speciality and Fine Food Show at Olympia last week. I must be getting old; shows didn’t use to take it out on me this much. Having said that, we were phenomenally busy – I didn’t manage to have lunch until after 4 pm on any of the three days! Trade shows generally in the UK have been significantly down on 2008 in this year of recession. (more…)
Cotswold Fayre is introducing ‘Fayre Rewards’: a reward scheme to thank its loyal customers who have given the gourmet food supplier continued support over the last ten years. (more…)
