The NEC is to host a new show for independent newsagents and retailers this autumn.

Show owner, the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) willreplace its nine-year old CTN World national trade exhibition with the larger Independent Retail Show (IRS) at The NEC on 28-29 October. The CTN Worldshow was last held at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

“We are aiming to create a completely new exhibition which will be on a very much larger scale than CTN World, and we have been encouraged by the very positive reaction of exhibitors to this exciting new concept,” said NFRN marketing director Graeme Collins. The NFRN has a nationwide membership of 16,500.

“Although more broadly based than CTN World, the new exhibition will continue to be built around a core of exhibitors of specific interest to our membership of news and convenience retailers.”

The new event will also aim to attract new exhibitors from adjacent market sectors such as organic foodstuffs and health foods and supplements with the aim of increasing the number of visitors and broadening the base of theexhibition.

“At The NEC we are committed to supporting non-traditional organisers so we are delighted to be hosting another event driven by an association,” said business development director Chris Hartley.

A new show focused on the UK pool and spa sector will launch at The NEC next January.

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