Tesco Opens its Doors to UK Wine Industry at LIWF

In a first for a multiple retailer, Tesco has announced it will be taking a stand at this year's London International Wine Fair (LIWF).

Tesco is aware that due to time pressures, suppliers and producers often find it hard to secure meetings with multiple retailers and want to use LIWF as an opportunity to break down these barriers and ensure open discussions are available to everyone.  As well as looking forward to meeting with suppliers and tasting new products, the Tesco wine team is keen to encourage anyone who thinks they have a good idea to come and meet with them, describing it as a 'Dragons Den' style opportunity.

Tesco would like to invite other exhibitors and visitors to come to its stand to meet the Tesco wine team and have the opportunity to discuss new products, product innovations or business opportunities.  Individuals from the buying, product development, technical and 'Wine by the Case' teams will all be present throughout the three-day event to provide a chance to have some one-to-one time with the UK's largest retailer.

Dan Jago commented: "The entire Tesco wine team will be present at this year's LIWF and we very much hope the opportunity will result in us hearing from people we might not normally have the opportunity to meet with. We are looking forward to tasting new wines, seeing some potential category innovations and hearing from visitors who would like some time for discussion with members of the wine team. 

"This is the first time Tesco, or any multiple retailer, has taken a stand at the LIWF and we hope that by opening the opportunity for meetings in this way, it will prove to be the best possible use of our time."

James Murray from Brintex added: "We were thrilled when Tesco expressed an interest in participating in the 2012 LIWF. We feel that this is an exciting, innovative approach and are delighted to create such a valuable opportunity for the trade."

The registration website for visitors attending the LIWF and who would like to book a meeting with Tesco can be found at http://www.cubecom.co.uk/content/tesco-london-international-wine-fair. The site is live from Thursday 26^th April and will close for registrations at 5.00pm on Friday 18^th May. 

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Further information:

The registration process will require information on what is to be discussed and the wine/s being shown if relevant, with a maximum of two wines per company. 

The types of meetings can be categorised as follows:

• Product tasting
• New product presentation (though no product to taste)
• Business discussion (purpose of meeting to be specified at registration)
• Any other business

Visitors will only have the opportunity to meet with Tesco once during the LIWF and the meetings will be allocated on a first come first served basis. When all the meeting times are filled the registration site will be closed.

For further information please contact:

Gemma Duncan, Tesco BWS PR Manager

E: gemma.b.duncan@uk.tesco.com

T: 01992 646 846