Scotland Food & Drink hosts London buyer event in bid to unlock £1 billion UK market
This week, Scotland Food & Drink, the leadership organisation for the nation's food and drink industry, hosted its highly anticipated London Discovery Programme to introduce influential London buyers to Scottish producers.
- Scotland Food & Drink hosted its inaugural London Discovery Programme connecting London buyers with Scottish suppliers
- Combining market insights, learning journeys in retail, food service and on-trade, the programme concluded with a networking event, exposing Scottish producers to key buyers in the UK’s capital.
- London’s diverse market channels enable Scottish suppliers to explore various routes to market and cater to different consumer segments.
This week, Scotland Food & Drink, the leadership organisation for the nation's food and drink industry, hosted its highly anticipated London Discovery Programme to introduce influential London buyers to Scottish producers.
Run in partnership with Scotland House London, this three-part event aimed to strengthen the Scottish food and drink industry's position in the UK market, particularly in London, which has been identified as the key to unlocking the £1 billion domestic market opportunity for the Scottish food and drink sector over the next five years[1].
To achieve that goal, Scotland Food & Drink recently appointed a dedicated in-market specialist for London whose role is to foster relationships and help unlock new business for Scottish food and drink businesses in this lucrative market.
The event kicked off with an exclusive webinar on May 29th, providing Scottish suppliers with valuable insights into the London market and consumer preferences. This was followed by three distinct in-person Discovery Tours on June 5th and 6th, offering suppliers a choice of immersive experiences tailored to the retail, foodservice, and on-trade channels. Led by industry experts, these tours explored the latest innovations and trends in each sector ranging from experiential retail to circular economy principles, and the burgeoning healthy drinking industry.
The event culminated with a networking lunch and Meet the Buyer Showcase on June 6th. Held at Scotland House, the showcase featured Scottish produce catered by Auld Hag and offered the 35 attending Scottish food and drink suppliers the opportunity to showcase their products and engage with approximately 40 key buyers, influencers, and decision-makers from the retail, foodservice, and on-trade sectors.
Stephanie Pritchard, Head of UK Market Development at Scotland Food & Drink, said: "The London Discovery Programme & Meet the Buyer Showcase represents a pivotal step in our strategy to strengthen the Scottish food and drink industry's position in the UK market.
“We were thrilled to provide our ambitious suppliers with this unique opportunity to explore the vast potential of the London market and forge valuable connections with key buyers and influencers."
Iain Baxter, Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink added: "This event was invaluable in reinforcing the excellence of Scottish produce to key industry players in the UK market. By combining our expertise and resources, events such as this are pivotal in our bid to equip Scottish suppliers with the necessary knowledge and tools to thrive in the dynamic London market and showcase the best of Scotland across the UK."
With its comprehensive approach and strategic partnerships, the London Discovery Programme & Meet the Buyer Showcase is set to be a game-changer for Scottish food and drink businesses seeking to expand their reach domestically while capitalising on lucrative opportunities in the UK's capital.
For further information, please visit: foodanddrink.scot.
