As consumer demand for Scottish food and drink continues to grow, retailers can find fresh inspiration next month at Scotland’s only food and drink trade show for 2022.
One of the many consequences of the pandemic has been a growth in interest in Scottish food and drink among both consumers and retailers. More shoppers than ever see the value in buying local and supporting small local producers and retailers to help build more robust local economies. Scotland is also world renowned for the quality of its food and drink products so stocking locally, regionally and nationally sourced products is a real win-win.
If Scottish food and drink is of interest to you, it might be worth finding time to visit Scotland’s Speciality Food Show in Glasgow next month. Held at the SEC from 23 to 25 January, the event is set to be Scotland’s only dedicated food and drink trade show for 2022. Around 120 exhibitors will be showcasing their products.
Mark Saunders, Show Director, said: “The aim of this Food Show is to ensure we are a one-stop show for all independent retailers, both food and gifts, in Scotland and northern England. Here they can be inspired, place orders and ensure they are ahead of the game for the coming season.
“We have been encouraged by the number of new starts during the pandemic, especially where producers are maximising the natural resources from their region.”
New for 22
At the centre of the show is the Launch Gallery for new, young companies which includes Nuisance Drinks, Ellon Spirit Company, Woodmill Game, Isle of Mull Seaweed and Cairngorm Gin. In the main show the new exhibitors to check out include Beet This Food Sauce, Upper Dysart Larder, Howden Fleming, Dark Sky Spirits, Valentian Vermouth, Highland Boundary, Ecobean Coffee Roasters, The Bottled Baking Co, Ramsay of Carluke, Ochil Fudge and Slainte Sauces.
Regional specialities
A particular feature for this show is the regional stands. Orkney, a show stalwart, has taken more space than ever before, housing about seven small companies such as Deerness Distilling, Orkney Creamery, Stockans Oatcakes and many more. New for this year is Lanarkshire Larder incorporating Biggar Gin, Bella Chocolate and Scottish Tea House, among others. Around 12 Fife companies will showcase products from this rich agricultural area, such as Rumburra, East Neuk Salt Company, Bplasticfree and Almaz Foods.
As well as new exhibitors, the show will also welcome back long-standing producers such as Scotia Spice, Stewart Tower Dairy, Summerhouse Drinks, Summer Harvest Oils and Sarah Gray preserves.
Beyond buying
The show’s Talking Shop zone will provide visitors with insight into a range of current topics such as targeting influencers, gaining a retail listing, customer buying habits, and attracting tourists back. There will be a range of informal talks, panel discussions and workshops.
A Dragon’s Den style ‘Nessie’s Den’ is also returning with hosts including SLR Publisher and Scottish Retail Food & Drink Awards Director Antony Begley and is where emerging producers will showcase their products to the ‘Nessies’. These include James Lamont, a Tesco buyer, Andrew Firth from Herbies deli and Catriona Farquharson from Finzean Farm Shop in an entertaining and exciting session.
Best Product Awards will be judged on the opening day with the resulting winners’ products on display in the centre of the Show.
The Show is pleased to announce that EcoBags are the official supplier of carrier bags to Scotland’s Trade Fair and are providing bags made from recycled plastic bottles, which are themselves recyclable.
Why attend?
Scotland’s Speciality Food Show is run in conjunction with Scotland’s Trade Fair, which has evolved over the decades to become a ‘must attend’ event in the calendar of all retailers, farm shops, tourist destinations and department stores. Although online has supplemented the buying process over the last 18 months, suppliers are keen to actually reconnect with retailers. Many of the exhibitors only exhibit at this show so it is key to come and see and taste their products and place orders ahead of the competition.
Andrew Firth from Herbie of Edinburgh said: “The range and mix of products from established to embryonic producers blew us away and it is so encouraging to see the quality of the products and the great way they are presented. It is heartening to see the amount of innovation and resilience in such a tough market.”
SLR’s sister project, the Scottish Retail Food & Drink Awards (SRFDA) will be strongly represented at Scotland’s Speciality Food Show with a number of representatives present and a special SRFDA stand.
SRFDA Director Antony Begley will also host a Nessie’s Den session where emerging small producers will showcase their products to the ‘Nessies’ who include James Lamont, a Tesco buyer.
The Scottish Retail Food & Drink Awards aims to get more of Scotland’s fantastic quality food and drink products onto more retail shelves.
