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IFE partners with Food & Drink Wholesale UK to launch Meet the Buyer Series for 2026
IFE has announced a new collaboration with Food & Drink Wholesale UK to launch the IFE 2026 Meet the Buyer Series, giving exhibitors a direct opportunity to pitch their products to some of the UK’s most influential wholesale buyers.
Taking place as part of IFE 2026 at Excel London from 30 March to 01 April, the invite-only Meet the Buyer events are designed to connect innovative food and drink brands with senior buyers actively seeking new products to add to their ranges.
Delivered in partnership with FWD, the series will bring together buyers from four major wholesale buying groups:
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Booker
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National Buying Consortium (NBC)
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Sugro
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The Wholesale Group (TWG)
James Bielby, Chief Executive at FWD, comments: "Food and Drink Wholesale UK is delighted to have partnered with IFE to bring this unique opportunity to suppliers and wholesalers. Meet the Buyer promises to give suppliers and manufacturers a unique chance to pitch their products to a network of national wholesale operators. Spotting new products and fresh concepts before competitors is as vital as securing the best price!
“IFE is a fantastic show and brings together all aspects of the food and drink supply chain. It’s an end-to-end experience and never fails to impress its visitors. We are very much looking forward to supporting the show again this year, and being involved with an innovative opportunity too.”
Elenie Abbott and David Lunt, Buyers from NBC, comment: “This is a great opportunity to meet both new and existing suppliers who share our passion to get brands to consumers, safely, through the channels in which we operate and discuss with them the issues they face, the opportunities that exist, and potential solutions we can provide.”
Selected exhibitors will have the opportunity to meet buyers face-to-face in a structured pitching environment, giving them the chance to showcase their products, tell their brand story and explore potential listings with some of the UK’s largest wholesale operators.
The Meet the Buyer Series forms part of the IFE exhibitor package and is open to exhibitors across the show. Places are limited and applications will be reviewed and selected by the buying teams themselves, ensuring high-quality, commercially focused conversations for both parties.
Federico Dellafiore, Event Director for IFE, says: “This Meet the Buyer Series is about creating meaningful opportunities for exhibitors to put their products directly in front of buyers who are actively looking for what’s new and what’s next. Partnering with the FWD allows us to bring real buying power into the room and support brands that are ready to scale their wholesale presence.”
The initiative reflects IFE’s continued focus on delivering practical value for exhibitors, supporting route-to-market conversations and facilitating face-to-face connections that can lead to long-term commercial partnerships.
Applications to take part in the IFE 2026 Meet the Buyer Series are now open to exhibiting brands.
The deadline for applications is 19 February at 17:00 GMT.
IFE takes place from 30 March to 01 April at Excel London as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week. Find out more at ife.co.uk/meet-buyers-ife-2026.
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