As consumers continue to grow increasingly health and environmentally-conscious, demand for sustainable products with functional benefits continues to rise. This is anticipated to shape the retail industry as changing attitudes impact how – and what – we buy; with identifying the right products to stock likely to become a complex issue for retailers over the next decade.
It is with these considerations in mind that Vitafoods Europe 2019 has developed its agenda. The three-day event (7-9 May 2019, Palexpo, Geneva) will this year focus on bringing the industry together to discuss key challenges, such as sustainable production, and analyse the latest consumer trends, including free-from, plant-based ingredients, and hemp extracts and CBD.
Chris Lee, Managing Director, Global Health and Nutrition Network, Europe, at Informa Exhibitions, explained: “Sustainability has become a crucial influencer in the purchasing decision-making process as consumers look for products that can offer both health and environmental benefits.
“This growing awareness is likely to shift demand permanently and push the retail industry in new directions. Our goal with Vitafoods Europe 2019 is to bring the community together and open the discussion about the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
Vitafoods Europe 2019 will present retailers with an opportunity to learn more about the latest consumer insights in the food, nutrition, cosmetics, packaging and pharma sectors; trends which are likely to shape the retail industry for years to come.
The event, which is expected to attract 22,000 visitors and host over 1,200 leading global suppliers, has introduced a range of new features for 2019, including a Sustainability Square. This will showcase the latest consumer and market insights from across the industry, allowing visitors to make informed and future-focused buying decisions.
Additionally, the Vitafoods Education Programme will return with a new flexible structure, giving delegates the chance to attend specific sessions, individual days or the full three-day agenda. Running throughout the event, the programme will have 11 summits by over 50 industry and business experts, to discuss and debate breakout consumer and market trends and the industry’s latest studies. For example, Charlotte Bastiaanse, associate editor, Vitafoods Insights, will chair a panel on Sustainability and Traceability. This will include a talk by Steve Osborn, director & technology Scout, The Aurora Ceres (UK) on Highlighting the importance of aligning with sustainability trends to satisfy consumer needs.
The dedicated zones are also returning to this year’s event. While the Sports Nutrition Zone will play host to a sampling bar and product showcases, the Market & Trend Overview Zone will see experts from Innova Market Insights presenting emerging trends in functional foods, such as heart and digestive health, as well as sports, infant and personalised nutrition, and healthy ageing.
For an experience of the mind and body, Vitafoods Europe 2019 will once more tingle visitors’ taste buds at its Tasting Centre and provide category-specific Innovation Tours, guiding guests around carefully selected exhibitors to offer expert industry insights.
Additionally, the Springboard Pavilion and the International Pavilions, including Croatia, Poland, Italy, Belgium, France, Hungary, Germany, China, South Korea and the USA, will present country-specific consumer and market trends.
For more information on new and returning features and to register for free tickets, please visit: www.vitafoods.eu.com
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