The C&I Expo 2017 was held in Sydney, Australia last week, with suppliers displaying their newest and most exciting products and visitors getting the chance to speak directly to those brands and engage with the sector on another level. The general consensus was that the expo was a great success for all involved.
Speaking to various retailers and visitors across the two days, the C&I team heard a lot of praise and positivity about the opportunities and insights that the show facilitated. With over 130 exhibitors, there was no shortage of product innovation or creative displays.
Imperial Tobacco Communications Executive Michelle Park said one the main objectives to be a part of the expo was to build relationships with key retailers and members of AACS (Australasian Association of Convenience Stores).
“It has been a great opportunity for us to talk about how important the tobacco category is for their businesses and a lot of retailers have been concerned about illicit tobacco and the impact it is having on their business,” she said.
“It has been fantastic to hear from retailers what their concerns are and give them all the information they need to capitalise on the tobacco category in their outlet.
“We have a lot of retailers from all around the country – mostly fuel retailers. This is the second year in a row that we have exhibited at the C&I Expo and we will definitely back again next year. We think it is invaluable for building and maintaining relationships with suppliers and meet with our retailers face to face.
“Some people that we have met over the last couple of days has been the first time that we have ever spoken to them and then for others we are building the relationship after meeting them so well.”
The C&I Expo was co-located with the AACS Gala Awards Dinner and Convenience Leaders Summit this year.
Pacific Optics were named Supplier of the Year at the AACS Awards. Pacific Optics GM of sales Theo Foukkare said the show had a great turnout. “We have seen all of the major retailers come through here – we have seen Woolworths, 7-Eleven, Caltex, United Petroleum, AA Petroleum, all of the UCB team, all of the New Sunrise team and we have also seen all of the key independents,” he said.
“We have met some new customers that are dealing with some of our competitors, so it has been a good opportunity to show them everything that we do in the one location and we have had a lot of success. All in all – it has been a great show.”
Sources: c-store.com.au
AACS
