NBCC visits IFE and
leading UK grocery retailers with
a delegation of Dutch companies in March 2005
2005 was the focal point of the Dutch food/non-food products trade
mission to the United Kingdom, organised by The Netherlands British
Chamber of Commerce, The Agency for International Trade and Cooperation
(EVD) and the Royal Netherlands Embassy from 15 to 17 March 2005.Upon arrival in the UK on 15 March, the trade delegation first visited the buying department of
Marks & Spencer in London, where they were offered
a superb meeting / luncheon arrangement with a general company overview by the global sourcing manager.
An opportunity for the delegates for individual interviews with the members of the buying team to discuss their products was also included in the programme.
ExCel Exhibition Centre in London’s Dockland
was the light and pleasant venue for the International Food Exhibition
which was visited by the delegation later that day. The exhibition, with
its various sections including an international hall with a pavillion
from The Netherlands and many other countries, was bright and buzzing.
Specially arranged for the Dutch delegates
were a series of private interviews with buyers from Morrison
Supermarkets, who kindly took out time at the exhibition to look at the
Dutch products. The day was ended by a well attended drinks reception hosted by the Netherlands Ambassador Jan Graaf de Marchant et’ d’Ansembourg.
The following two days were spent journeying
up north to meet ASDA’s Trading Director and his buying team at ASDA’s
head office in Leeds. A number of store visits to outlets of Sainsbury’s,
Tesco, Morrisons and Marks & Spencer completed the mission.