Bestway Retail, part of Bestway Wholesale, the UK’s largest independent food and drink wholesaler, has announced details of this year’s Retail Showcase 2024 – which will take place at the Coventry Building Society (CBS) Arena on Wednesday 15 May 2024, from 10.30am – 4.30pm.
The Retail Showcase 2024 will stage the biggest gathering of its retail customers and supply partners alongside its specialist retail team to collectively support and help drive further growth and margin for its retailers.
The Showcase, which is in its second year after a highly successful event in 2023, saw more than 600 retailers join together with the Bestway Team and supply partners, to learn, share and grow. Over 800 retailers are expected to attend this year’s Showcase from Costcutter, best-one, Bargain Booze and Extra Local symbols and fascias, as well as interested parties and prospective retailers who are considering joining the Bestway Retail family.
There will be 140 valued partner suppliers exhibiting and highlighting NPD opportunities, including Diageo, Budweiser Brewing Group, CCEP, Britvic, Red Bull, Suntory, AG Barr, Mars, JTI and Philip Morris Ltd – to name but a few.
As the only symbol retailer in the industry with a store format for all retailer types and customer personas, the Retail Showcase 2024 will be arguably the largest of its kind.
Retailers can enjoy interactive events, experiential zones, and food tastings, incorporating ‘perfect serve’ masterclasses, cocktail-making and pairing sessions to help them drive customer engagement.
There will be live demos, presentations on best practice and the opportunity for retailers to participate in workshops, as well as engaging in networking events with other independent retailers, alongside suppliers and Bestway colleagues.
There will be exclusive Show deals for retailers to take advantage of, and the chance to win £1,000 store credit, with two runner ups winning £500 each.
2024 welcomes a brand-new Innovation Zone, introduced to help retailers increase profit, improve sales and reduce costs. Here, retailers will be able to access the latest category insights from 150+ leading convenience and off-licence suppliers, experience a VR walk round its ‘Best in Class’ Bargain Booze in a Convenience Store, plus see the latest innovations and sales and margin driving opportunities.
As digital platforms grow in importance, the latest equipment and technology to help retailers reduce costs (e.g. labour, energy and environmental), will be on view, as well as the latest security technology. The Pop-Up Shop designed to minimize closure periods during refits (which is available for hire for public/corporate events) will be on display for retailers to view.
Bestway Wholesale’s managing director, Dawood Pervez says: “We’re delighted to be hosting our second Bestway Retail Showcase in 2024. The Showcase is a major investment into our retailer estate but is one which we know our retailers value as it supports their future growth and profit.
“We’re there to share ideas, learn from each other and build new relationships in a friendly, community and convivial atmosphere. It’s just one example of the value-add that Bestway Retail offers as the champion of the independent retailer.
“It’s often hard for independent retailers to find time to discover the latest trends and insights to support their business but here’s a real opportunity for them to look ahead and identify great new products and services from suppliers, whilst sharing ideas with like-minded independent business owners, who inevitably face the same challenges.
“Undoubtedly, this will be one of the most exciting events in the industry calendar.”
After the Retail Showcase will be a themed after-party where retailers will enjoy food, drinks, and entertainment as well as a retailer raffle with some great prizes to be won.
