The synergies between producers on one side and large-scale distribution and Retail on the other have strongly contributed to the resilience of the agri-food industry during the COVID-19 emergency, and beyond. And now the challenge will be to keep this prominent role during the recovery, facing all together the important changes that are awaiting the sector.
Since its very first editions, TUTTOFOOD has been the privileged venue where producers can meet with organized distribution. An exchange that this year will be even more intense and effective thanks to the new format of Retail Plaza, the Italian reference event for the debate on innovation in the sector: a schedule of meetings where top managers, academics and experts will outline the future of retail, analyse new trends and compare best practices.
An approach that not only identifies trends, but also offers significant solutions so as to help companies respond proactively to this new normality: topics like the omnichannel and the new distribution formats leading to faster, but also more responsible, new consumption habits will be discussed. As well as digital transformation and sustainability, which represents an extraordinary opportunity for innovation. Another added value will be the numerous and qualified presence at the exhibition of buyers, who use to make themselves available at Retail Plaza to discuss issues that are rarely addressed in other contexts.
The numbers can give you an idea of what’s at stake. According to the data processed for TUTTOFOOD by IRI, during the first six months of the year the sales of packaged food in large-scale distribution came close to 30 billion in value (29,826 million euros), with a further increase of 1.5% compared to the sameperiod of last year, which included the boom in sales during the first lockdown. In July 2021 the improvement is even more marked: the growth compared to the same month of 2020 is in fact 4.1%, with sales of almost 3.8 billion in value.
Within TUTTOFOOD 2021, taking place at fieramilano from 22 to 26 October, an essential opportunity to meet and discuss these issues will be Retail Plaza, that is increasingly establishing itself as the event where to take stock of innovation in large-scale distribution and retail. Many new features will be presented this year. The entire format has been rethought and produced by giving value to the specific skills of Business International – Fiera Milano Media, one of the reference partners in the sector for its ability to create quality content, networking opportunities and new business opportunities. This year’s edition will also benefit from the collaboration with Retail Institute Italy, a renowned industry association in our country, as well as from partnerships with the academic world – universities such as IULM and LIUC Castellanza – and with some of the main specialised research institutes such as IRI, Nielsen and Eumetra. Plus, it should also be underlined the contribution of media partnerships with the most important trade publications such as Largo Consumo, Markup, Gdoweek and Distribuzione Moderna.
The most topical issues at stake will be examined and debated at the highest levels thanks to the participation, confirmed to date, of over 20 top managers from the large-scale distribution and retail sector, including the Presidents of COOP Italia, MD, LIDL Italia and Coralis, the Managing Directors of Gruppo Végé, CRAI Secom, Penny Market Italia, Conad, Carrefour Italia, the General Managers-Sales Managers of Basko-Gruppo Sogegross, Glovo Italia, Deliveroo Italy, Decò Italia, Selex Gruppo Commerciale; the Marketing-Communication Directors of Bennet, Pam Panorama, Carrefour Italy, Penny Market Italy, Conad. Some of the most innovative start-ups and companies will also be involved, such as Quomi, Qualitando, Acquainbrick, Appetite for Distruption, Macha and Poke House.
Also relevant is the attention given to inclusiveness, which will translate into the presence of some entirely “female” panels such as the one dedicated to Healthy Food, Happy Customers. Moderated by Cristina Lazzati, Editor-in-Chief of Mark UP and Gdoweek, the event will discuss how the Covid experience has led consumers to evolve from a focus on health to the need to “put health” in their shopping carts from a more comprehensive wellness perspective.