Plant-based food and veganism, the free-from movement and booze-free beverages have been identified as the top three trends which impacted food & drink businesses in 2018, according to new research by The International Food & Drink Event (IFE). 

 

The research, which surveyed members of the UK’s leading and largest food & drink event network, also revealed that plant-based eating, sustainable packaging, gut-friendly foods and sugar-free are the most prominent trends businesses are looking to leverage in 2019, demonstrating the influence consumers’ growing interest in health & wellbeing is having on the sector. 

Buyers with an appetite for the latest food & drink trends, will be able to tap into the most up-to-date innovations and insights at IFE 2019 – taking place at ExCeL London 17-20 March.

 

Prominent experts from the food & drink industry, including leading plant-based influencers, will take to the Talking Trends stage throughout the four-day event to share their experiences, opinions and predictions. 

New for 2019 and taking the exploration of up-and-coming food and drink trends to the next level will be a Tasting Trends area. 

 

While plant-based food remains the hottest topic, other trends on the menu include those that promote good gut health (fermented foods), food with good fats (Omega 3), foods that relieve stress (vitamised juices), the new stronger spicy flavours coming through in snacks and confectionery, and a closer look at why the proportion of Brits drinking alcohol is at its lowest.

The prestigious annual Stationery Awards have been expanded to include new Retailer Categories and a ‘Stationery Designer of the Year’ category for the first time.

 

In the Retailer Categories both specialist retailers and those who sell stationery as part of their offer are eligible for the five honours, designed to recognise and benchmark good practice and innovation in the retail sector.

 

“Now is the time to reward your team, claim your prize and get noticed!” says Stationery Show London event manager Hazel Fieldwick.  The five new retailer categories are Best Customer Experience Initiative, Best POS/ Merchandised Display of Stationery, New Store of the Year, Best Specialist Stationery Retailer and Best Non-Specialist Retailer.

 

All entries should relate to the past year of trading, from January 2018 to January 2019, with an online entry form to be completed by February 15 at www.stationeryawards.co.uk

Retailers can enter themselves or be nominated by agents, account managers or suppliers and can enter as many categories as they wish.

 

Manor House has just completed a record breaking Christmas season and is proud to launch new fragrances at The Spring Fair
, now offering 25 complete home fragrance collections including 4 new fragrances:  Wild Rhubarb, Lime Bail Mandarin, English Pear & Freesia & Fir Tree…

 

Manor House pride themselves on producing all the products by hand in Suffolk which comprise:  Pot Pourri and Scented Pine Cones, Scented Botanical Candles, Room Diffusers and Sprays, Drawer Liners and Sachets along with Luxury Hand Washes & Moisturising Lotions, Scented fabric Bags and Cushions.