Set to take place on Tuesday 19 September in London, the trade briefing is set to consider the ways organic retail is evolving in a saturated European market.
The Soil Association explains that the occasion will focus on “sharing the views of industry and brand experts, while considering the key trends in sales and retailer approaches, both in the UK and across Europe.”
Building on last year’s success
Last year’s event saw over 150 organic businesses, retailers and journalists gather for the annual trade briefing. The day covered market research analysis from Nielsen, the launch of the Soil Association’s new consumer research and a networking opportunity.
Clare McDermott, business development director at Soil Association Certification said of last year’s event: “The organic market is in the fourth consecutive year of growth against continuing decline in non-organic food sales.
“There are clear opportunities across a variety of sectors, with growth driven by fresh produce and grocery, but also home baking and store cupboard essentials. Shoppers are increasingly buying organic as it answers their need for a healthy, sustainable and ethical choice”.
Greenwashing?
When it comes to organic retailing, the beauty industry continues to be faced with the issue of greenwashing.
As the hot ticket labelling claims of naturals or organics continues to see huge consumer popularity, particularly across Europe, giving products credibility becomes ever more important.
Indeed, in the recent period, criticism of the lack of clear, strict regulation of green, naturals and organics claims in the beauty industry has been mounting.
Collectively, the use of these terms as branding tools with no scientific backing has come to be known as ‘greenwashing’: the practice of presenting something as natural, organic or green when it can only partly - or in some cases, not at all - meet these claims.
With a focus on organic retail and its evolution, the Soil Association Trade Briefing’s insights into issues like greenwashing look set to offer pertinent perspectives for the industry.