Food for thought
UK Food & Drinks Shows has introduced a range of new features for its 2025 edition in line with an ever-evolving sector both in the UK and overseas. The bi-annual event has taken stock of changing priorities amongst both suppliers and retailers over the past two years, and will return with a new focus on sustainability and plant-based alternatives across its four trade exhibitions.
Foodex Manufacturing Solutions, the National Convenience Show, Farm Shop & Deli and Food & Drink Expo return to the NEC on 7-9 April this year. Foodex will play host to a brand new Packaging Zone, bringing together a full range of solutions for both food and drink with a strong focus on sustainability and groundbreaking plastic-reduction innovations. The Food & Drink Expo meanwhile presents a strengthened Plant-Based Zone. Endorsed by the Vegan Society, the area builds upon the success of its introduction in 2023 with a bigger range of plant-based meat alternatives, snacks, drinks and ingredients.
According to event organiser William Reed – also the publisher behind The Grocer and Retail Week – the 2025 edition of the UK Food & Drinks Shows are dedicated to exploring the latest trends driving the sector. The spring event will build upon the record-breaking success of its 2023 counterpart, which saw the UK Food & Drink Shows named the Best UK Tradeshow by the Association of Event Organisers.
“Winning the award was testament to the hard work and dedication of the team,” says William Reed’s managing director Andrew Reed. “We achieved record attendance and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees and participants alike.”
In line with its ethos of providing a multidimensional environment to educate, network and discover as well as a transactional platform, the Food & Drinks Shows will be complemented by a content-rich seminar programme. A total of five stages will play host to leading industry speakers, including Tina Mitchell, retail director at Waitrose & Partners, wholesale & franchise director at Morrisons Paul Dobson and Planet Organic’s founder Renée Elliott. There will also be live demonstrations and tasting opportunities throughout the event, which will take over six halls of the NEC.
“I’ve always been taught that you learn from the best, and the best of the best are at the UK Food & Drinks Shows,” says Peter Batt, managing director at Nisa Retail. “There’s new innovation, new products and new ways of doing stuff digitally. It’s important to take time out, as it gives me and the team time to think.”
The UK Food & Drinks Shows target professionals in retail, hospitality and food service. Interested visitors can register for their free ticket here, while potential exhibitors can get in touch to discuss the last remaining spaces here.
If you have booked your space at any of the UK Food & Drink Shows, talk to us. We are regular installers at the events, and can take care of every aspect of your stand design and build #wemakeevents.
