The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has invited farmers, processors, retailers and industry stakeholders to a retail conference in October.

The conference will be held on 17th October in Solihull and, alongside their insight partners, AHDB will “showcase the changing consumer landscape”, picking out key trends that are impacting the wider supply chain in the agricultural sector to help the industry “maximise future growth opportunities”.

Steve Evans, AHDB’s lead consumer insight manager, said: “Building on the success of our webinar earlier this year, we’re excited to share our research at this face-to-face conference in October.”

AHDB said the day would start with a ‘Consumer trust’ session, which will explore the latest findings from the AHDB trust tracking research. It said this would take an in-depth look at consumers’ views on farming and the public’s attitude and opinions across key reputational topics.

This will be followed by ‘Insight into action’, which AHDB said would take delegates on the journey from initial research, to message testing, right through to a marketing campaign and a presentation on ‘Exploring in-home habits’.

A ‘Rethinking retail’ session will look at a round-up of key category research around AHDB’s in-store, online and labelling research, and the day will end exploring how Gen Z are influencing the retail space, with ‘Shoppers of the future’.

Sessions presented by industry speakers

Guests from Blue Marble, TwoEarsOneMouth, Kantar, IGD and representatives from the meat processing supply chain will also be presenting. There will also be meat and dairy breakout sessions and opportunities for delegate questions.

Evans continued: “The sessions will delve into the reasons behind consumers’ perceptions of British farming and will explore how consumers are carefully balancing household finances and changing their in-home eating habits.

“Our conference will not only inform attendees on current consumer food trends and views of the industry, but more importantly explore how this affects future meat and dairy demand and how consumer insight can help shape and unlock marketing opportunities and improve communication with consumers.”