BUOYANT MOOD AT SCOTLAND’S SPECIALITY FOOD SHOW
Attracting
over 4000 visitors over the three days and a quarter more exhibitors than last
year, the mood at Scotland’s Speciality Food Show and Scotland’s Trade Show was
buoyant as exhibitors made a healthy number of orders and enquiries, and
visitors were impressed by the quality and originality of the stands.
A larger Launch Gallery for young, innovative companies under two years
old attracted many buyers into the Food Show with exhibitors such as The Wee
Tea Company, Kwan’s Kitchen, Lov Sushi, Golden Age Honey and Considerit
Chocolate, who all produce quality, fine tasting and packaged foods.
Complemented
by larger fine food companies there were many new food and drink products or
lines that appealed in particular to farm shops, butchers, delis, tourist shops
and garden centres.
Catriona
Farquharson from Finzean Farm Shop in Aberdeenshire said: “It is encouraging to
see so many new products each year at Scotland’s Speciality Food Show. The
variety and the quality of the products has increased considerably over recent
years, especially as consumers become more discerning. It is always worth a
trip to the Show to ensure we seek out these new, exciting products that appeal
to our customers.”
Exhibitor
Paul Hargreaves from UK food distributor Cotswold Fayre said: “This is our
first time exhibiting here for a number of years and we have been delighted by
the great interest in our products. There has been a very high quality of
buyers and much better than years ago, as they are serious foodies who
understand quality and artisan food. The atmosphere at the Show is warm and
friendly making it an agreeable place to do business.”
Mark Saunders
Director of the Show said: “Confidence is edging back slowly into the Scottish
retail economy and we have witnessed a growing feeling of optimism at the Show.
With Scotland’s Speciality Food Show run in conjunction with Scotland’s Trade
Show we offer the ideal platform for all types of retail businesses to source
not just food and drink but also gifts, homewares and clothing, allowing them
to offer a more varied range of goods to their customers.”
Launch Gallery exhibitor Louisa Gonzalez from Golden Age Honey added: “Our
honey is produced in a very natural way and this approach has attracted a huge
number of buyers. They are looking for quality food, with a well-known and
reliable provenance, both of which we have, which has meant we have sold out of
our 2013 harvest.”
Michelle
Mehaffey, Buyer from the National Trust for Scotland especially liked the Food
Show: “It is very strong this year with some outstanding exhibitors. The
quality of the products on display is second to none and we have sourced some
delicious new lines.”
Stephen Brown
buyer from Scotmid Cooperative added: “We are always keen to meet and explore
how we can work with smaller local Scottish suppliers and Scotland Speciality
Food Show gives the opportunity to do this and see some of the fantastic
innovation within Scotland’s food industry.”
Key to the Show was the Seminar Theatre, which attracted many visitors
with a varied line-up of speakers and topics. The keynote seminar on Scottish
independence and its effect on business was debated by Ian Murray, Labour MP,
who argued for the status quo, while Gordon Macintyre-Kemp, Chief Executive of
Business Scotland, presented an equally forceful case for going independent.
Other seminars included topics such as social media, future of retail, setting
up a retail outlet, gift wrapping and growing your business.
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