Vitafoods Europe 2019 will bring together the industry to discuss latest challenges and trends facing the food retail sector
Sustainability is a topic that has long been on the agenda for the food industry, however the unprecedented growth in consumer awareness over the last two years has led to a huge shift in expectations. In addition to products that provide targeted functional benefits such as energy, stress relief, and cognitive and digestive support, consumers are now looking for those that also take their environmental impact into consideration. This shift in mindset 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.
Chris Lee, Managing Director, Health and Nutrition Europe, Informa Markets, explains: “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.”
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 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.
Visitors will also be invited 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 continues: ”Now, more than ever before, we are seeing environmentally and health-conscious consumers drive a rise in alternative food trends. With 73 percent of buyers willing to change their consumption habits in order to reduce their impact on the planet, it is crucial that retailers understand what their customers want to ensure they meet expectations.
The event, which is expected to attract 22,000 visitors and host over 1,200 leading global suppliers, will introduce a range of new features for 2019 to showcase the latest consumer and market insights from across the industry, allowing visitors to make informed and future-focused buying decisions.
Running alongside the exhibition will be the Vitafoods Education Programme. Over three days, industry experts will discuss and debate breakout consumer and market trends, giving visitors the opportunity to learn from and network with the world’s leading nutraceutical, supplement and functional food industry experts.
Vitafoods Europe 2019 will also feature dedicated zones, allowing visitors to easily learn about the latest developments that will be of interest to their customers:
– Sports Nutrition Zone: featuring a sampling bar and product showcases
– Market & Trend Overview Zone: emerging trends in functional foods, such as heart and digestive health, as well as sports, infant and personalised nutrition, and healthy ageing
– New Products Zone: covering the core health categories and displaying a range of new innovations from the past 12 months
There will also be a range of specialised theatres, including sports nutrition, probiotics, ingredients, omega-3 and life stages. The Sports Nutrition Theatre will focus on the active senior consumer, while the Probiotics Theatre will discuss both fermented foods, such as yoghurt and kefir, and shelf-stable foods, including cereal, soup, spreads and nutrition bars.
For more information, visit their website: www.vitafoods.eu.com
