Natural & Organic Products Europe marks best ever show
The 17th annual Natural & Organic Products Europe trade event, organised by Diversified UK, has announced record breaking attendance figures for its 2013 edition, which took place at London’s Olympia.
With 8,810 industry professionals from 76 different countries packing the aisles over the two days, the show enjoyed an unparalleled 20% increase in unique attendees (excluding revisits) compared to 7,352 in 2012.
Carol Dunning, who took over as Natural & Organic Products Europe’s event manager last year, is delighted with the phenomenal feedback the show has inspired so far: “Having just had the best attendance in the show’s 17-year history, it proves that the natural and organic industries are getting stronger and becoming more mainstream than ever before.
"Consumers are showing increasing awareness of the benefits of following a natural and healthy lifestyle, and this sector is reacting to that demand. We had a record number of innovative launches this year and the hall was packed with knowledge-aware retailers and buyers – I must say I’m excited about the future for this hardworking industry!”
Exhibitor Angela Walker, sales director at Viridian Nutrition, was equally upbeat in praising the “fantastic energy” at this year’s show. Whilst Martin Greaves, sales director at Natupharma UK commented: “I have been in the industry for 15 years and this is the best trade show I have ever done!”
“We’ve developed more leads at Natural & Organic Products Europe 2013 than 4 days spent at Biofach!” said Natracare’s Sophie Ottoway. “We have met buyers from health stores, pharmacies and have developed international contacts from UK to Pakistan and Eastern Europe to Scandinavia. We re-booked on the first day of the show!”
Richard Anderson, product manager at The Health Store was just one of thousands of visitors who left Natural & Organic Products Europe with a host of new business contacts: “There is a really positive vibe this year, some great new and interesting products and it’s also been great to catch up with existing suppliers. I’ve been coming to the show for 9 years and think it’s the best show yet!”
As ever, the show’s New Product Showcase was a hive of activity – and for the first port of call for many visiting buyers. Featuring a record total of 297 entries for 2013, showcase visitors cast over 1200 votes for their favourites on Sunday 7 April.
The winning exhibitors were presented with their trophies by BBC wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan at the industry’s prestigious Natural and Organic Awards later that night.
This year’s winning products included Little Big Shot by Little Big Shot Energy (drink); Organic Sea Salted Dry Cured Rasher by Friland Økologi FMBA (organic food); Coyo Mango Coconut Milk Yogurt by Marigold Health Foods Limited (special diet); Rawlicious Raw Kale Chips by Inside Organics (food); Palm Leaf Retail Pack by The Wholeleaf Co (natural living & home); SOLGAR 7 by Solgar Vitamins (VMS); and Nourishing Brightener by Pukka Herbs (natural beauty & spa).
See some of the products that caught he eye of the GTN Xtra team below.
As ever, the show’s New Product Showcase was a hive of activity – and for the first port of call for many visiting buyers. Featuring a record total of 297 entries for 2013, showcase visitors cast over 1200 votes for their favourites on Sunday 7 April. 
