C-store retailing is in a period of transition. Catch up on what's going on at the show The Convenience Retailing Show is still the only independent event to cover the full repertoire of products, services, technology and equipment required by this sector. At the show, retailers will see more than 160 exhibitors covering every aspect of c-store business, ranging from confectionery, soft drinks and grocery products, to EPoS and security systems and shop equipment. Procter & Gamble, Nestlé, Coca-Cola, Birds Eye Wall's, Ginsters, Gallaher, Mars and Red Bull are among the top name exhibitors. Geared to new business opportunities, the show will also play host to a range of exhibitors specialising in fast food, vending, bake-off, franchising and mini-labs, presenting visitors with an array of profit making ideas. It will also have a number of special features. These include the C-Store Experience in which six brand leaders from the Association of Convenience Store's Premier Club ­ Bass Take Home, Birds Eye Wall's, Camelot, Coca-Cola Schweppes, Gallaher and Nestlé - will listen and talk with retailers and share their merchandising expertise on how to maximise store profits. BEW business development manager Dave Ashton says the company will advise on merchandising, signage, core range, and give an insight into understanding customer needs. Bass Take Home will cover category management of its major brands, while Camelot will share information on its best lottery practice scheme. At the same time, ACS will be presenting its Store 2000 internet project which covers category management and best practice on training, food safety and hygiene. ACS will give visitors online demonstrations at the show. It is also running a series of free seminars over the show's four days covering stakeholder pensions, e-commerce, internet shopping and the latest in food to go developments. So what can visitors expect to see at the exhibition in the way of products? For the first time, the show boasts a full complement of alcoholic drinks, with Bass Take Home, Scottish Courage, Winerite and United Distillers and Vintners taking stands to promote their commitment to the convenience sector . Take home beer now accounts for almost 30% of the UK's total beer market, with independents controlling over half of all sales. Bass will be revealing its summer promotional plans for its Carling and Worthington brands, and unveiling a new Hooper's Hooch flavour. Procter & Gamble will be focusing on its most recent major launch, namely Charmin toilet tissue, plus the latest extensions to its brands. Among the other big names, Mars will be covering the opportunities for its new ice cream range, plus its Celebrations and sugar confectionery. On the food side, it will feature its Dolmio Stir In's and Uncle Ben's Express rice, while Pedigree Petfoods will be promoting its single serve cat food range across Whiskas, Kitekat and Katkins. Ginsters is to present new additions to its food on the go range ­ two varieties of lattice rolls, plus two large deep filled sandwiches. In the same vein, Geo Adams is launching new chilled snack products, among them chicken tikka sticks with a mango chutney dip, and 10 sausages with a dip. In the non-food area, Rayovac is launching the Rayovac 3 in 1 multi system charger which enables the three separate battery types to be recharged by a single unit. {{FOCUS SPECIALS }}