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Get your free copy01 February 2023, 07:53 AM
- Buyers and producers re-connected at Scotland’s only fine food and drink trade show after a challenging few years for the industry
A return to normality was welcomed last week at Scotland’s Speciality Food Show, as buyers relished the many exciting new products and producers delivering some of the best fine food and drink in the country.
Scotland is celebrated for its fine food and drink, which was evident by the quality of the products on offer from as far afield as Shetland and Orkney to Dumfries and Galloway.
One highlight of the show was the Best Product awards, judged by retail experts who were impressed by the diversity of products and high standard of all the entrants, making choosing winners very difficult.
The Talking Shop Seminar Theatre once again hosted a series of well-attended informative and relevant talks on all aspects of retailing, including masterclasses on social media and online content, panel discussions on the controversial Deposit Return Scheme and another with leading influencers and the ever-popular Nessie’s Den, where new young companies pitch to retailers in a light-hearted session.
Mark Saunders, show director, commented, “Whilst there are clearly big challenges still for all businesses, it will be considerably easier to navigate these as footfall in shops continues to build. The last three years have not been easy ones for exhibitions and in that time, new routes to market and subtle changes in buying patterns have emerged.
“However, over and over again, the overriding benefits of trade shows were evident. Face to face communication will not go away and the ability to see, feel, touch, taste and smell are a vitally important part of the buying process.”
