Harlech Foodservice is forecasting a £3m sales surge at its flagship trade fair next month.
The Welsh food wholesaler believes the two-day Expo 26 at Venue Cymru in Llandudno could “smash all previous records” after last year’s event pulled in £1.5m in orders.
This year, there will be up to 3,000 buyers expected on 11 and 12 March. Among trade customers, Harlech Foodservice said there will be representatives from major players in the public and private healthcare and education sectors, along with the tourism and hospitality industry.
Harlech will be showcasing its move into the fresh fruit and vegetable business at a special hub at the centre of the exhibition hall, which will also feature its new butchery offer and own-brand Country Range.
“We have made a successful move into fresh fruit and veg in the last six months and are already supplying to customers including schools, hospitals and care homes in north and south Wales,” said Harlech Foodservice category manager for fruit, vegetables and butchery Toby Foskett.
“We aim to extend that so the range is available to all customers across Wales, the northwest of England and the west Midlands very soon and could even be offering the service by the time of Expo.
“Our sales are up week on week and with lots of buyers at the Expo and lots of great deals to be done, we expect another big sales boost.”
On-day deals will be a feature of this year’s event, which is being organised by commercial manager Chris Gregson. He said: “There will be a big focus on deals at this year’s Expo and we’re confident our customers will like what they see.
“It’s also a great opportunity to see the range of food and drink we can supply, and with 115 exhibitors already confirmed there will be a fantastic selection of products to be sampled.
“Already customer registrations are up by 65% on last year’s record-breaking event. We are drawing from a wider area and more people know about us now across south Wales and in the northwest and the Midlands.”
The trade fair comes after the business saw a near 20% surge in sales to £30m in the six months to January as it continues to expand across the UK.
The Gwynedd-headquartered company has added to its centres in Criccieth and Chester with new hubs in Carmarthen, Caerphilly and Telford.
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