Speciality Food Magazine - April 2026

44 F armShop&Deli Show is themust- attend event for independent retailers and the businesses that supply them. Taking place at the NECBirmingham fromMonday 13th toWednesday 15thApril, itwill featuremore than 450 exhibitors and offervisitors invaluable insight on the topics and trends that are driving the industry. By registering for free entry to the FarmShop&Deli Show, visitors will also have free access to three other events taking place at the same time underThe UKFood& Drink Shows banner: Food&Drink Expo, National Convenience Show and Forecourt Show. Around 1,200 businesseswill be exhibiting across the four shows, which cover the breadth of the grocery, hospitality, specialist retail andmanufacturing sectors. Once again, The UKFood& Drink Showswill feature a packed programme of features, panels and presentations that can help a business flourish, including: chance to sample innovative food and drink products. • Guidance onways farmshops and delis can increase footfall without increasing their costs. To ensure visitorsmake the most of theirvisit, an online digital event companionwill offer a comprehensive show guide, interactive floorplan, indoor navigation and real-time notifications. The UKFood&Drink Shows is organised bymarket-leading business information provider WilliamReed, publisher of digital and printmedia including The Grocer and organiser of awards, business events and conferences. “We are excited to once again welcome exhibitors andvisitors to the UKFood&Drink Shows and sharewith themwhatmakes this industry sovibrant and innovative,” saidDanDixon,managing director of exhibitions,WilliamReed. FarmShop&Deli 2026 preview The must-attend event is back at NEC Birmingham 13th-15th April 2026 • Advice from leading specialist retailers on the benefits of cultivating a positive, inclusive and purpose-drivenworkplace. • An exploration of the challenges impacting independent retailers and howbusinesses can mitigate thesewhile opening up opportunities. • The newTaste the Future competition that gives visitors the “The shows have gone from strength to strength. It’s really vibrant, and we love the fact that lots of speciality food wholesalers take a stand here so they’re at hand to come and chat with suppliers” Michelle Charrington, business development director, Invest Northern Ireland “At the heart of it all is the power of face-to-face interaction; the chance to havemeaningful conversations, experience products first-hand and build relationships.” Tofindoutmore and register for free ticketsvisit farmshopanddelishow.co.uk. AT A GLANCE The UK Food & Drink Shows Mon 13th to Wed 15th April 2026 NEC Birmingham ukfoodanddrinkshows.co.uk ● Farm Shop & Deli Show offers the best-quality local and regional produce alongside exciting new product development and the latest in equipment, labelling and packaging solutions. ● Food & Drink Expo is the destination for discovering fresh ideas, forging connections and gaining insights into the future of food. It attracts key foodservice buyers as well as decision makers from retail and wholesale grocery operations. ● National Convenience Show is the biggest event for the convenience retailing sector and is a one-stop destination for c-store specific products, services and innovations. ● Forecourt Show is the must-attend event whether you are part of a symbol group, an independent forecourt, fuel company or dealer.