Breaking news! We're PUMPED to share with you guys that Waitrose will be joining the Marketplace at this year's Festival 14-15 July to engage with challenger brands and share details of their new accelerator programme. No applications, no waiting to be selected, no limit on slots... Just Waitrose. And you. Hobnobbing at theFestivalin the Marketplace.
Want the facetime? Grab your Early Bird ticket to the Festival now, save £60 and start prepping for the moment when you get to chat with the bougiest supermarket we know.
🎉 Latest 2026 Festival News 🎉
Amsterdammers set to join Festival on UK trade mission
We're super excited to be welcoming Netherland challengers keen to launch into the UK market this July. If you're an innovative Dutch brand with great values, check out the tour plans and apply here. Applications close 20th May.
Zapp to join Pitching Zone - check out how Reclaim bagged their listing
Quickcomm London retailer Zapp with dozens of dark stores across the city joins the Pitching Zone line up (apply online from 9th June). Check out how Todd from Reclaim bagged his listing after pitching at the FeelGood Summit with just a can and a cup over on the blog.
Need a handle on AI? Roundtable discussions doubled at this year's Fest
New interactive roundtable sessions added to this year's line up, doubling the number of industry discussions. Expect deep dives into how to use AI as an FMCG brand, the certs that actually matter and brand building for success. Check out the showguide for more info.
It's gearing up to be a pretty incredible Festival 14th - 15th July! Hundreds of challenger brands have already signed up. Join them on the Early Bird rate before tix increase in price.
Pitch to Selfridges, Planet, WFM & more
Retail pitching applications now open for Startup Summit Apply to pitch to Selfridges, Planet Organic and WFM (the mighty speciality three) to score 1 to 1 meetings with their buyers at the Startup Summit on 20th May. Application deadline: 12th May at 10am
If you're an emerging brand, this is the place to be to hear from the likes of TeaJoy, Olly's and Cuzena about what it's like to launch and score your first listings. If you're thinking about the Festival in July, this is a great way to dip your toe in retail waters and meet other founders on the same journey.
You'll need a ticket to apply to pitch, obvs. To find out more, you can also download the Startup Summit showguide.
On a mission to climb the Net Zero mountain this year?
Check out Foodsteps: a platform that helps FMCG brands achieve ambitious sustainability goals at scale, from primary ingredient sourcing to factory processing. They've got some neat tools and heaps of data to help you meet the needs of your customers and regulators. You can reach out to the team for a demo and have a nose at their website here.
Not long 'til the Festival. The same as the incubation period of a sea turtle egg, in fact. Or, as we're in the foodbiz, the shelf life of a supermarket steak.
