Since two out of three participants at SIAL declared they are very interested in innovative products and in discovering the latest novelties presented by exhibitors, this year, which marks the 50th anniversary for SIAL, the global food marketplace, organizers have prepared a full program of events which have as common ground the innovation, in all its forms.
This year, for the first time, SIAL Paris will select 100 products expressly dedicated to the catering trade with its new Catering Awards. Christian le Squer, sponsor of the special “50 Years, 50 Chefs” day, is the chairman of the catering grand jury of this event. Moreover, The SIAL Innovation event provides exhibitors with a springboard to communicate on their new products and offers visitors a showcase of food trends and innovations spanning the world.
“Successful innovation strategies do not appear out of thin air. It takes a genuine spirit of openness, active listening and smart thinking to understand and anticipate consumer expectations across the world. Only then can companies forge their own vision and create added value in a highly competitive environment. Innovation and SIAL have been constant companions for the last 50 years! With its never-ending commitment to innovation, SIAL has become the guidebook par excellence to trends in the food industry on a global scale. Innovation can be found everywhere in the food aisles, promoted by over 6,000 companies. It also takes centre stage in the SIAL Innovation Area, the focal point of the exhibition, which highlights the most striking innovations,” according to Nicolas Trentesaux, director of SIAL Group.
“Whereas innovation is now a global issue, it is even more crucial for boosting the French food industry. We should not lose sight of the fact that, with its 11,852 companies (98% of which are SMEs or very small businesses), the food industry in France plays a vital role in the country’s vitality in terms of turnover and jobs. SIAL offers its innovative exhibitors a springboard for enhancing their international profile among key buyers in the industry, and much more. In addition to the October 2014 exhibition, SIAL will be supporting innovative French businesses at Expo Milano 2015 in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. With 50 years’ experience and a global presence backed up by more than 10 exhibitions across the world, SIAL has truly become a key platform for global food supply and demand. We build bridges and promote encounters and opportunities between industry professionals. With each successive edition of SIAL Paris, we have endeavored to make the exhibition much more than a simple tradeshow – a multicultural network, a forum for exchange and inspiration that helps companies on the road to future success”, adds the director.
How are the awards granted?
The Innovation Awards are made of four product categories, each with its own specialist jury: Mass consumption products (CGM), Foodservice products (CFS), Semi-processed food products and ingredients (FIM) and the newly introduced Equipment and Technologies.
In order to compete for the grand prize, all products enlisted must have been launched after October 2012 and prove they will bring benefits to consumers, as well as to have innovative characteristics.
All products are inspected by the Selection Committees, which are made up of food industry specialists and afterwards they are shortlisted and awarded with bronze, silver and gold. According to the organizers, 1,700 products had already entered the competition by 1 September, up by 30% on 2012, of which over 600 products have been shortlisted. All winning products and information on consumer trends will be available in the especially created area called SIAL Innovation Observatory. Lastly, this year, there will be two types of SIAL Innovation meetings: SIAL Innovation conferences and TV Shows on SIAL TV.
“Innovation has a very special place at SIAL: it is the common thread that runs through the aisles of this enormous trend book to stimulate and inspire visitors from the four corners of the world. SIAL Innovation is the exhibition’s hub, offering a glimpse of the future and the products that will be lining shelves everywhere tomorrow. It focuses on the exhibition’s DNA through a series of activities and tools that are the key to winning new markets… and not just in Paris but also Shanghai, Montreal, Toronto, São Paulo, Abu Dhabi and Manila. All this is why SIAL Paris is a significant driver of added value and asserts its legitimacy as a visionary force and trend-spotter for every sector taking part in the exhibition”, according to the organizers.
What do consumers prefer?
German consumers are getting more and more into the healthy foods trend; the French are adapting their eating habits because of economic constraints, while the Russians are most interested in innovations and convenience.
For the second time, SIAL Paris – in partnership with TNS Sofres and XTC World Innovation – offers a fresh perspective on food innovation, in a 2014 report, which fleshes out a survey conducted in 2012, regarding consumer behavior in 9 major markets.
The two reports provide insight into attitudes towards meal consumption, perceptions about diet and heath and show that while the French are interested in healthy, balanced meals and associate food with pleasure and sociability, they are much more careful with their spending and pay more attention to prices and special offers, than in the past. Similarly to France, the German consumers have experienced a drop in confidence regarding the quality of food products, which consequently leads to high expectations in terms of reassurance about food.
According to the reports, the Russians are the people who are the most interested in innovations regarding naturalness, organic food, vegetables, preserving the freshness/taste of products, preventive health, convenience and the absence of allergens, since more than half of those interviewed believe that their diet may pose a risk to their health. All this information will be detailed during the trade show, the organizers said.