The event returns to the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast from Tuesday March 29 to Thursday March 31 March 2022, when it will be celebrating its 25th anniversary.

As one of Northern Ireland’s longest-standing trade exhibitions where foodservice and hospitality’s biggest players all come under one roof, IFEX is laying down the foundations to ensure next year’s show is a success, with  support from associations including Hospitality Ulster, the Federation of Small Business, Retail NI and The Guild of Fine Food.

“As one of the sectors most impacted by the pandemic, IFEX, marks a new dawn for foodservice, hospitality and retail as industry rebuilds following an unprecedented period of closures and restrictions,” said Toby Wand, Managing Director of 365 Events Ltd.
“IFEX is firmly-rooted in NI’s hospitality industry and celebrating its 25^th anniversary, next year’s show is set to shine a light on the importance of IFEX to Northern Ireland’s hospitality sector and will provide a vital meeting place for those within the industry to reconnect, uncover new learnings, secure new business and discover relevant technologies to improve their businesses and customer focus.

“With four months to go, we’re delighted that so many key industry players as well as new brands have already joined the growing exhibitor list, so we’ve high hopes for the 2022 event.”

Big names

Many of Northern Ireland’s biggest names in foodservice have already confirmed, including Stephens Catering Equipment, Henderson Foodservice, Sysco, Golden Glen and Lynas.

Central to IFEX is Salon Culinaire, Ireland’s largest and most prestigious chef competition programme, headed up by Salon Director, Sean Owens.

As the stomping ground for student and industry chefs, Salon Culinaire is hotly anticipated as the place where the ‘best of’ culinarians in Northern Ireland are formally acknowledged.

From showcasing the latest food and drink trends to industry leading technology, equipment and services, IFEX will feature a range of visitor attractions designed to inspire and engage.

The event will be a one stop shop for discovering some of the best products that NI has to offer, including a new Hospitality Skills Hub, new IFEX Innovation Awards and the return of the Great Taste Market, bringing together the best of Northern Ireland and Ireland’s speciality food and drink products.

IFEX, taking place from the 29^th – 31^st March 2022 at the TEC, Belfast, is organised by 365 Events. The forthcoming exhibition will be operating in line with all public health guidelines.

For further information on IFEX, see www.ifexexhibition.co.uk

Caption: Colin Neill, Hospitality Ulster; Andrew Davis, Retail NI; Brendan Kearney, FSB NI with Sean Owens, IFEX Salon Culinaire Director.

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Roll-your-own (RYO) specialist, Republic Technologies (UK) Ltd, is a driving force in the category, with an accelerated NPD programme that includes innovative display solutions.

‘RYO’

“Many shoppers are buying into RYO for a variety of reasons. Value for money remains key, but so too does the tactile aspect of rolling, which also has the added benefit of reducing consumption, as smoking becomes less instant,” says Alasdair Blair, Senior National Account Manager at Republic Technologies UK.

As factory-made cigarette sales continue to decline, coupled with the fact that shoppers are no longer able to buy menthol cigarettes, consumers are actively seeking other alternatives and looking to the latest developments in the RYO market.

Flavour Fusion Cards

With that in mind, Republic Technologies’ latest introduction for 2021 is a new range of Flavour Fusion Cards from market leading filter brand, Swan.

Launched in February, the Flavour Fusion Cards enable consumers to create their own level of flavour in a pack of cigarettes or rolling tobacco in just 60 minutes and are available in two variants, Fresh Burst and Menthol (RRP: 39p per card). Each outer contains 25 individual cards, in shelf ready packaging.

“Following the change in legislation last May, there has been a considerable rise in the number of consumers in Northern Ireland making a conscious decision to find competitively-priced flavour alternatives to menthol cigarettes,” adds Alasdair.

Swan Fresh Burst Crushball

“Last year, we introduced Swan Fresh Burst Crushball, which is already the best performing menthol capsule filter in the market^*2, along with two other menthol SKUs from Swan – Swan Cool Burst Crushball and Swan Cool Menthol Extra Slim, to complement our existing top selling Menthol Extra Slim filters.

“Our new Flavour Fusion Cards enable retailers to offer shoppers even more choice in flavour and format. The cards not only provide smokers with the ultimate in flavour impregnation, they enable retailers to capitalise on the growing interest in RYO flavour innovation,” continues Alasdair.

Sales uplift

“Display in this category is key for sales uplift. We have been encouraging retailers to stock the latest NPD and make use of effective display solutions that see accessories moving out of the gantry, signposting the wider tobacco category and highlighting NPD in a meaningful way.

“Driving visibility of trusted, market-leading tobacco accessories brands is key to increasing shopper awareness and can be a successful tool towards encouraging impulse sales.”

Counter-top units

Counter-top units are available for Republic Technologies’ leading brands including, Swan Menthol Filter range, OCB Slim & Tips and new Swan Flavour Fusion Cards.

“Within the Northern Ireland RYO category, the right product range and display is key for driving sales. Increasing awareness and signposting the tobacco category, by stocking innovative NPD and products that deliver on quality, brand assurance and strong margin, will continue to boost profits for retailers,” concludes Alasdair.

Sources:

*1: IRI 52 w/e 16/05/21

*2: IRI Value Sales 52 w/e 16/05/21 (supermarkets, high street and convenience supermarkets)

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