What's in store at Consumer Insight Conference 2019

Conference explores changing consumer attitudes

The hottest consumer trends will be explored this month at AHDB's second annual cross-sector Consumer Insight Conference.

On Wednesday 25 September, more than 170 delegates from across industry will gather at Warwick's Hilton Hotel to learn how they can maximise opportunities in light of current consumer trends.

The packed programme includes presentations from AHDB's Retail and Consumer Insight team as well as data providers Kantar, IGD and Future Thinking.

The event kicks off at 10am with a welcome from AHDB's Chief Communications and Market Development Officer Christine Watts, who will give an overview of some of the biggest challenges facing industry today and what AHDB is doing to help support those in the agricultural sector.

This includes the launch of a brand new report entitled 'Trust, Transparency and Traceability in Agriculture: The Consumer Perspective', which gives an in-depth look at the public's attitude and opinions on food and farming in the UK.

The report explores how engaged consumers are with food production issues, which elements of the food system are most trusted and how demonstrating shared values can boost trust - all of which helps industry to manage its reputation.

Delegates will also hear about changes in diets to include more plant-based products, the importance of promoting the health credentials of red meat and how the meat shopper journey in-store compares to the online offering and what that means for the consumer.

The conference will also take a look into the future and explore how retailers need to adapt to attract more shoppers.

There will also be breakout sessions for meat, fresh produce and dairy where delegates can dig a little deeper into sector specific research and hear how current trends are impacting their category.

AHDB Consumer Insight Manager Steve Evans said: "This, our second annual conference, is a great opportunity to showcase the work of AHDB over the last year and help industry better understand some of the key changes we are seeing in the consumer landscape.

"It is a challenging environment and it is vital for industry to meet the needs of the modern consumer. For our sector categories, it is about how quickly you can adapt and those that do will have a greater chance of achieving long-term success."

Join the conversation on Twitter using #AHDBConsumerInsight.

Programme

Wednesday 25 September 2019

Hilton Warwick/ Stratford-upon-Avon, CV34 6RE

09:30    Registration and refreshments

10:00    Welcome and introduction - Christine Watts, AHDB

10:10     Age is but a number…unlocking your market beyond traditional demographic targeting. How should we segment the modern shoppers? - Simon Hulbert, Kantar

10:35     In the face of innovation and media attention around health and plant based diets, what does the future hold for our industries? - Susie Stannard, AHDB

11:00     Refreshments

11:20     Cutting through increasing noise about sustainability and trust. What are the key consumer opportunities in this area? The launch of our new research around trust and transparency which takes an in-depth look at how industry can manage its reputation. Our exciting new report explores how engaged consumers are with food production issues, which elements of the food system are most trusted and how demonstrating shared values can boost trust - Susie Stannard, AHDB & Laura Weston, Blue Marble

11:45     What does the meat shopper journey look like in-store versus online and what does that mean for you? - Kim Malley, AHDB & Duncan Nealon, 2ears1mouth

12:10    Morning Q&A Panel

12:30    Networking lunch

13:30    Category breakouts… bringing to life key consumer trends within categories, what should you be considering? (with Q&A)

Breakout Room 1

Meat, fish and poultry - Steven Evans, AHDB and Nathan Ward, Kantar

Breakout Room 2

Fresh produce including potatoes - Grace Randall, AHDB

13:55   Category breakouts (with Q&A)

Breakout Room 1

Meat, fish and poultry - Steven Evans, AHDB and Nathan Ward, Kantar

Breakout Room 2

Dairy - Zoe Avison, AHDB

14:20     Refreshments

14:35     The future is now. What should be on your radar now to win shoppers in the future? - James Walton, IGD

15:00     Afternoon Q&A Panel 

15:20     Closing remarks - Christine Watts, AHDB

15:30     Conference close

If you've not already booked your place, you can get involved in the conversation via social media following the #ConsumerInsightsConference hashtag.