Welcome to the April issue of The Grocery Trader, featuring our Food & Drink Expo showcase. We’ve printed 5,000 extra copies to give out at the Show, our biggest issue of 2008: we’ll be at the show and we’d love to see you on stand M249. Andy Warhol said in the 1960s “In the future everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes.” In 1979 he revised it to “In fifteen minutes EVERYBODY will be famous.” That’s certainly the spirit at the NEC – every exhibitor is a star! We’d like to wish the best possible success to everyone taking part in the Food & Drink Expo, and the other four shows at the NEC – the Baking Industry Exhibition, Convenience Retailing, International Forecourt & Fuel Equipment Show and Foodex Meatex. The ‘Famous Five’ exhibitions provide a shop window for tiny hopefuls and giants alike. The common factor is, everyone exhibiting has something unique to offer to trade buyers, and this is a fantastic opportunity to get that message across.Domestic and overseas economic uncertainties continue to grab the headlines, but thankfully the UK consumer market for food and drink and FMCG products continues holding firm. The reality is, the majority of people across the UK are still going out to work and enjoying life’s pleasures at home and when they’re out. The UK food and drink and FMCG industry and our retailers and wholesalers aren’t going away, as our two major interviews bear out.Loseley Yoghourt, a UK consumer favourite since the 1960s, is enjoying fresh success in 2008. After farmers’ cooperative Dale Farm took it over in 2004, Loseley Yoghourt has taken on a new lease of life, leading to a string of major awards, including the Grocer Branded Excellence Awards 2008. The latest development is the recent launch of Loseley Summer Meadow Softer Butter. We talk to Brian Beattie, Dale Farm’s Head of Brand Marketing.Over the last three years TAG Company has provided solutions to protect over 2 billion items of merchandise, and in 2008 alone is set to protect over 1 billion products. With a number of exciting new products joining its portfolio, including the unique and innovative EASiCap® bottle tag and an active national partner programme under way in Europe, TAG is building on its reputation for excellence and innovation. We speak to the man driving the business, Phil Doyle, TAG’s Europe, Middle East and Africa MD.Have a great month.Charles Smith.
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