Look Ahead: Nicolas Trentesaux, SIAL 2016

Gama spoke to Nicolas Trentesaux, Group Director, SIAL, ahead of the show's latest two-yearly edition in Paris.

What are your expectations for this year's SIAL?

SIAL Paris will showcase the food of today and invent the food of tomorrow. The show will open its doors on the same day the United Nations celebrates World Food Day. Over five days, it will be the world’s largest food innovation event!

The largest global food community will have access to the broadest selection: from ingredients to vegetables, from wines & spirits to alcohol-free beverages, from seafood products to meat, gourmet food, dairy and deli products and much, much more. This diversity will also be reflected in the profile of exhibitors and visitors: over 70% of visitors will come from overseas, and up to 85% of exhibitors.

Two out of three visitors come to SIAL Paris to find new products. Food buyers repeatedly find inspiration here and food distribution exhibitors are given a chance to shine thanks to visitor’s trails dedicated to sectors. In a highly competitive environment, product offering remains the best and most profitable way to create differentiation and consumer loyalty.

As you know, brand preference isn’t necessarily linked to price. It’s all about the product offering – and therefore the constant need for retailers to source new products and brands. With over 400,000 products, presenting worldwide innovative products and trends, SIAL Paris is a playground for the distribution sector - the best food showcase in the world.