SHOP2012

Knowledge is power and in today’s challenging times, it’s insight and shared experiences that can inform how you choose to move your business forward.

Seminars and conferences can often be costly to attend, but at SHOP, we want to ensure that your visit to the show exceeds expectations. That’s why we have introduced the inaugural SHOP Retail Forum. Running over the three days, it’s completely free of charge for all visitors to the show and features some of Ireland’s most notable business people.

Come along to benefit from the knowledge and experience of some of the industry’s most-respected figures and retailers.

The full seminar line-up can be found here.

SHOP’s resident Retail Doctor, James Burke, will be on hand to offer advice for retail business owners – and it’s absolutely free-of-charge. Popular with retailers, James Burke’s 23 years’ experience in the industry will be put to the test over the three days, advising many businesses on a wide range of retail challenges. His invaluable guidance ensures that the Retail Doctor feature at the show is one of the most popular.

Find out more about James on his website: www.jamesburke.ie.

The SHOP Product of the Year Awards, sponsored by Shelfspace.ie is now firmly established as a major accolade in the Irish food and drink retail industry. Judged by an independent panel of experts, the ‘edited’ highlights of the best products and services available at SHOP will be showcased in the Product of the Year area.

Come see the awards presentation on the Retail Forum Theatre at 10.30am on Wednesday 26 September and see who is crowned SHOP 2012 Overall Product of the Year.

With 11 categories, including Overall Product of the Show, these are the products and services that are tipped to be the next big thing.

(Pictured is Florrie Purcell from The Scullery, winner of Overall Product of the Show in 2011)

The Irish Cheese Awards were created in order to recognise the outstanding talent amongst home-grown Irish cheese producers, and the third Irish Cheese Awards are set to be even bigger with the integration of the Sheila Broderick Memorial National Farmhouse Cheese Competition.

Annually, over 150 cheeses enter the competition, which is organised by one of Ireland’s most famous cheesemongers, Sheridan’s.

Sample some of the selected cheeses and judge for yourself!

Scribbles, who provide high-quality, fresh pre-packed sandwiches for retailers throughout Ireland, will be providing the VIP Breakfast this year at the show, come see them on Stand E6 to see what other delights they have for you there.

In 2012, the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland will be staging it's three most prestigious events of the year live at SHOP:

• Speciality Foods Competition 2012
• Butcher Shop of the Year 2012
• National Sausage & Pudding Finals 2012

On opening day, the hotly contested ACBI’s Shop of the Year will be announced and Dave Lang’s meat-cutting demonstrations are making a welcome return.

Have a look at the amazing, mouth-watering display and see the butchers in action.

SHOP is delighted to host the very first A Taste of Britain event on Thursday 27 September, showcasing hundreds of leading and innovative food products, where you can discover the latest great tastes from the UK.

See more details here.

Checkout Networking Bar:

Meet and network with new contacts, or simply relax with colleagues, in the Checkout Networking Bar. It’s set to be the place to continue conversations and close deals, in a relaxing environment that will offer ‘time out’ from the bustle of the show.