One of the highlights for petrol retailers visiting this year’s Pro-retail show will undoubtedly be the Mace forecourt store. This will be the first time that there will be such a store at the show. The idea is to show visitors "the magic that can be worked in under 700sq ft".

"The store sets out market-leading expertise and shows why 70% of UK forecourts trust Palmer & Harvey (P&H)with supplying their stock," explains P&H chief executive officer, Chris Etherington.

He says he’s always inspired by Pro-retail and he hopes that visitors will be too.

More than 180 leading suppliers will be exhibiting at the show, which takes place at The International Centre in Telford on Tuesday April 27 and Wednesday April 28.

Etherington continues: "P&H thrives on the partnerships we forge with our retail customers and we have launched several initiatives to strengthen our relationships further.

"Our new 24-hour online ordering service has taken away the chore and freed up precious time for our retailers.

"Our Price Check Pledge has been a significant development in light of the recession still one of the biggest talking points around. We’ve seen the first shaky signs of recovery, but price-conscious consumers are still looking after the pennies and have got used to price reductions and big promotions all the things that put the squeeze on a retailer’s profit margins.

"Our pledge provides an assurance to our retail customers that they are getting highly competitive pricing across the board. If you want to find out for yourself just how good our prices are, visit the P&H stand at the front of the hall in Telford."

Real-life category zones

The real-life category zones, designed to showcase products in a realistic retail environment, were introduced for the first time last year and Etherington says they were a big hit.

"These created a real buzz so we have brought them back and they’re bigger, better and more interactive than before." The idea is for retailers to experience the very best in product range, store layout and merchandising, all through the eyes of a customer.

Also at the show, there is a Mace Retail Fitness Zone where retailers can get a free store health check and advice on increasing their profits.

P&H offers retailers free nationwide coach transport to Pro-retail.

For further information about how to get to Pro-Retail by coach, road, rail or air, log onto www.pro-retail.co.uk

Opening times

Tuesday April 2709.30-17.00

Wednesday April 2809.30-17.00

what’s new?

l There will be loads of exclusive show deals at Pro-retail including offers on Pringles, Pork Farms Cornish pasties and Fairy non-bio powder.

Burton’s Foods will be exhibiting three new biscuit versions of popular Cadbury chocolates: Cadbury Caramel, Crunchie and Turkish biscuits.

l Ferrero will launch new cherry passion Tic Tacs at the show.

l Haribo will be showing off its special limited-edition Football Mix timed to coincide with the World Cup.

l Kraft Foods will be launching Belvita Breakfast crunchy biscuits that have been specially developed for the breakfast occasion.

l Heineken will be talking about its Football Millionaire promotion which is linked to the Who Wants to be a Millionaire? TV show.

l Thorntons will be showing off its latest new product Melts. These comprise melt-in-the-mouth praline in a chocolate shell.