More than 80 suppliers engaged with hundreds of forecourt operators and convenience store retailers at G.A.P. Convenience Distribution Ltd’s biggest ever tradeshow.
The two-day event returned to the AJ Bell Stadium in Manchester this year after the show’s highly successful debut at the venue in 2024.
Outstanding promotional deals on new product lines and popular favourites were laid on by big name brands with operators and retailers taking advantage of these.
There was even more for them to explore with G.A.P. subsidiary businesses Marine Supplies Direct, Straight 2 You, and Car & Caravan exhibiting alongside a showcase of G.A.P. core brands Brookstone, Brookline and Unipart.
Brandon Howard, Director of G.A.P. Convenience Distribution Ltd, said: “It was good to reconnect with our valued suppliers and the retailers we support. We have added impetus to the tradeshow in the last couple of years and the room layout at the stadium complements our ambitions perfectly.
“We are kicking on as a business and highlighting the breadth of the range that is offered by the company has been key to this. With the overall number of exhibitors present from a variety of sectors – the highest number we have ever had – it exemplifies this brilliantly.
“I was delighted with the promotional deals on offer and the uptake of these from attendees has made it a very successful two days.”
Dave Earing, National Account Manager at Holt Lloyd International, said: “I have been looking after the G.A.P. partnership for 25 years. It is a pleasure to deal with the company and we offer our comprehensive range of car care products through their distribution channels including coolants, valeting, repair, and fuel treatment products.
“The venue for the tradeshow is first class, and it is organised superbly well. It provides us with a brilliant opportunity to showcase our products while at the same time provides a platform for us to meet and communicate with decision makers in the forecourt world and hear their feedback, thoughts, and ideas.”
Tony Singh, Sales Manager at PMS International, said: “We have enjoyed superb support year on year with G.A.P. We have a strong two-way relationship, and I think this was strengthened during the pandemic when we supplied face masks and hand gel and has continued to develop ever since.
“Our range is big and is consistently expanding with seasonal and occasion products all doing very well. The pound bay has been a strong performer, and Halloween has been the biggest growth area for us recently. Soft toys have also sold well, particularly the highland cows which have been popular through the Ann Forshaw’s Milk Sheds across the North of England.”
Emma Westall, Key Account Manager at Rectella International, said: “We have had an excellent couple of days at the tradeshow. We brought our complete barbecue and charcoal range, which is perfect for all year-round cooking.
“I have managed the G.A.P. account for around seven years and we enjoy a great relationship. Steve Pugh is amazing to work with and the mutual understanding we share makes the partnership as strong as it is.”
Andy Brown, Director of Envis Snacks, said: “We are delighted with how things are working with G.A.P. and they have been integral to our growth in Northern England. We are the exclusive UK supplier for Lorenz products and began introducing Pomsticks into stores and it has snowballed from there with X-Cut now being our best sellers.
“The best thing about the team at G.A.P. is the openness to new ideas. We now have a broader range of around 20 lines with them and the FSDUs we have available are in some stores and add extra interest to what is an exceptional product for the convenience market.”
Based at Bowland View in Preston, G.A.P. Convenience Distribution Ltd is part of the James Hall & Co. Ltd Group of Companies and is one of the country’s leading providers of non-food items for the forecourt and convenience retail sector.
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