If you are looking to access the US market, here are the major US Trade shows for food/beverage and different CPG categories: Food and Beverage: Winter Fancy Food Show (Las Vegas) - January Natural Products Expo West (Anaheim) - March Seafood Expo North America (Boston) - March Summer Fancy Food Show (New York) - June International Dairy, Deli and Bakery Show (Houston) - June Natural Products Expo East (Philadelphia) - September Plant Based World (New York) - September America's Food and Beverage (Miami) - September Sweets and Snacks (Indianapolis) - May Global Produce and Floral Show ( Anaheim) - October PLMA (Chicago) - November National Restaurant Association Show - Chicago Pet Products: Global Pet Expo (Orlando) - March Super Zoo (Las Vegas) - August Beauty and Wellness: Cosmoprof North America - January and July Housewares: The Inspired Home Show (Chicago) - March Electronics: CES (Las Vegas) - January

Let's go behind the booth design and location here and let's look at how can small and medium companies maximize trade show attendance: 1. Choose the right trade show This seems like a given but a lot of times we see companies attending the wrong show and ultimately wasting their time and money. You know your market, do some research and spend your money where your clients are. 2. Promote your attendance Announce your participation starting one month out and invite buyers to stop by your booth. Book appointments!!! Reach out to the buyers you have been having conversations with and let them know you will be attending a trade show in their area and invite them to stop by. Reach out to new buyers, promote your company and product. 3. Be approachable Don't sit at the table and scroll on your phone. Be approachable and engage with the people that stop by. 4. Listen and take notes! When people stop by chances are something caught their attention. Listen to what it is and start a conversation with them. Take few notes so you remember what was discussed and can follow-up appropriately. If conversation was productive ask about follow-up steps so you know what is expected. 5. Don't push literature and samples Buyers walk around a lot at these trade shows and they might not be interested to carry all your catalogues. Have something light that you can staple with your card so they remember the products and follow up with an e-catalogue after the event. 6. Follow up! Follow up! Follow up! Follow up is most important and it should be done properly and timely. Few days after the event send a personalized thank you note to those who stopped by and invite them to schedule a virtual meeting to discuss opportunities. Note the points that were discussed at the show and send an e-catalogue. - Do not send an email and cc everyone you met with - Trade show attendance is not a newsletter sign-up. Do not assume everyone you met with wants to receive your weekly newsletter. - Do not invade people with emails after the event. Send one personalized follow up and wait for feedback. Follow up in 2 weeks with a reminder or short call.

Calabria Foods mastering simple ingredients while honoring traditional recipes and the Calabrian agriculture excellence.

Out top products in the International Section at the 2023 Summer Fancy Food.

Insights in the NYC grocery shopping experience.

Hair Color line with organic derived ingredients and a large shade selection.

While the traditional markets are still a main source for local fruits and vegetables, dairy products and meat; Romanians have become accustomed with more and more European retail chains establishing themselves in the country. While initially chains like Carrefour, Kaufland, Auchan were mainly located at the outskirts of the city now, smaller express stores are opening in various, more convenient locations and easy accessible to people by foot. For example, Carrefour operates various formats in the country including - Carrefour Hypermarket, Carrefour Market and Carrefour Express each located to respond to area demographics and socio-economic conditions. Large retail chains doubled their sales on the Romanian market in the past 10 years showing the shift in consumer's choices when it comes to shopping. Large chains offer a wider selection of products, more variety and the convenience of finding everything in one location. All this comes to the detriment of the small mom-and-pop shops and the traditional markets. Top Chains in the Market include:

There are different ways to look at the US grocery chains which in turn give different classifications but no matter the criteria, Kroger and Albertsons are among the top 10 grocers in the US. Dominant on the East coast, Kroger has 2800+ stores across 35 states and operates 20 banners including Fred Meyer Stores, Fry's Food, Harris Teeter, Ralphs, Roundy's to name a few. On the other side, Albertsons is better positioned on the West coast with 2300+ stores across 34 states. Albertsons operates 20 banners including Safeway, Jewel-Osco, Vons, Shaw's and others. Below are different views of the US retail environment with a particular focus on grocery. Kroger + Albertson merger would create quite a competition to Walmart in terms of Food category sales and store number while strengthening Kroger's position as the second largest Food retailer in the US. *Note - Exhibits below include approximate sales and store numbers based on public information.

Popular in the Asian market, Agar-agar is not widely used in beyond the Asian continent. Part of our virtual Program of promoting Indonesian Ingredient companies around the world we had the opportunity to work with three Indonesian Agar-agar manufacturers. Here is some info on what Agar-agar is and what are some of its uses. Agar-agar is an extract of red marine algae (Gracillaria) and 100% natural. Agar-agar is odorless and tasteless, has zero calories and is rich in minerals. Agar-agar is also high in fibers. USAGE: Agar is resistant to high temperatures and has various uses in the food industry including: gelling agent as a rigid gel in confectionery and canned products as a layer in sweet surface in order not to stick on the sweet wrappers prevents meat from turning mushy and reducing damage in soft meats, permitting the reduction of fat content stabilizing property in the dairy industry stabilizer, suspending agent and clarifier in beverages as a vegan option to different glazes in the bakery industry preventing dehydration in bakery products Other Agar-agar uses include cosmetics and personal care industry, microbiology and bacteriology