Loading tweets...
Gama spoke to Dan Dixon, Managing Director of Exhibitions, William Reed ahead of the latest edition of The UK Food & Drink Shows.
What are your primary expectations for this year’s The UK Food & Drink Shows?
We are expecting this to be our most vibrant edition yet. By co-locating four distinct shows — Food & Drink Expo, Farm Shop & Deli Show, National Convenience Show, and Forecourt Show — under one roof, we are creating a unique ecosystem where the entire industry can connect. With around 1,200 exhibitors and over 25,000 expected visitors, the goal is to facilitate meaningful face-to-face interactions that drive business growth across grocery, hospitality, convenience, forecourt and specialist retail.
What new features or zones are being introduced for 2026?
We are constantly evolving to reflect the market, so this year we are launching two dedicated “Spotlight” zones. Spotlight on Coffee Shop & Cafe at the Farm Shop & Deli Show will address the booming food-to-go market, while Spotlight on Future Foods at the Food & Drink Expo will celebrate wellness-driven and clean-label innovations. We are also debuting the Taste the Future competition, giving visitors the chance to sample and score 40 trailblazing products, with the winners pitching live to industry experts.
The content programme is always a major draw. What are the key themes for the panels this year?
The pressures on the hospitality and food-to-go sectors are real, so our panels are designed to offer practical solutions. We have sessions covering everything from the future of plant-based foods and street food trends to specific challenges like rising employment costs. We are also focusing heavily on digital trends, including how businesses can harness TikTok and how Gen Z values are reshaping consumption.
Innovation seems to be central to the 2026 event. How is the show supporting businesses in staying ahead of the curve?
Innovation is the heartbeat of the industry. Beyond the new Future Foods area, we have invested in a complete rebrand to reflect the energy and ambition of the sector. On a practical level, we offer our digital event companion (show app) to provide real-time notifications and seamless navigation, ensuring visitors can efficiently find the suppliers and insights they need to future-proof their businesses. Plus they can schedule meetings with exhibitors in advance to maximise their time at the show.
What overarching trends are shaping the UK food and drinks scene in 2026?
Since the 2025 edition of The UK Food & Drink Shows, we have produced a number of insightful videos and podcasts about the trends shaping the industry such as sustainability, rethinking what we eat, flavour innovation, how retailers are coping with rising costs and AI & technology – to name just a few. These can be accessed in the media section of our website and are worth a listen and watch. Our sessions timetable for 2026 will also cover emerging trends for 2026.
About The UK Food & Drink Shows
Brought to you by William Reed, the award-winning UK Food & Drink Shows unite the industry by encompassing food development, manufacturing, grocery, hospitality, specialist retail, forecourt and convenience retail, wholesale, and foodservice.
https://www.ukfoodanddrinkshows.co.uk
