NOPEX announces closure as organisers focus on food offering

The organisers of the Natural & Organic Products Expo (NOPEX) have announced the event is to be discontinued.

In a statement, Diversified UK & Europe, organisers of NOPEX, said that in response to the rapidly evolving trading landscape, it has made the difficult decision to discontinue the natural wellness, health, and beauty sections of the event for the foreseeable future. The change follows two consecutive years of declining visitor numbers and reduced exhibitor participation, with Diversified advising that many companies in these sectors have shifted their focus to more specialised events, and the show has found it increasingly difficult to meet the expectations of both exhibitors and buyers.

At the same time, natural and organic food exhibitors have urged the organisers to co-locate the Natural & Organic Food Expo with these leading trade events. And so, the Natural & Organic Food Show will now become part of The London Food & Drink Shows, which will take place at Excel London on September 16-17, 2026.

Diversified explained that this new alignment will create a more powerful, targeted platform, bringing together the foodservice, hospitality, speciality retail, multiples and convenience sectors under one roof. It will also give natural and organic food a stronger presence within a major mainstream exhibition.

Carsten Holm, Managing Director of Diversified UK & Europe, commented: “We’ve listened closely to our community, and we’re excited to offer a more focused, impactful platform for the natural and organic food and drink sector as part of The London Food & Drink Shows. At the same time, it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to NOPEX and to the many friends and partners in the natural health and beauty sectors who have supported the event for over 30 years. NOPEX was once among the world’s premier trade shows for our sector, playing a pivotal role in the success of countless brands and serving as hub for the UK’s independent health food trade.

“On behalf of the entire team at Diversified, I want to sincerely thank everyone who has been part of this journey for your trust, support, and friendship. We hope to see many of you continue your involvement through the Natural & Organic Food Show.”

At the same time, Diversified has also announced that Natural Products Online (NPO), which was launched following the closure of the trade title, Natural Products News, is also to close.

Carsten added: “We are incredibly proud of the role NPO has played in supporting this vibrant community, and we are truly grateful to everyone who has read, contributed to, or supported it over the years. Thank you for being part of this journey. It has been an honour to share your stories.”

Target announces new NHT incentive to mark 25th anniversary

• A new incentive to support health food retailers has been announced for the forthcoming NHT Summit.Target Publishing organises the NHT Summit in partnership with Health Stores UK, with events held in Manchester, Bristol and, first for 2025, in Ireland. The Manchester show is being held at The Kimpton Clocktower on March 16, with this year’s offering featuring a sold-out exhibition, a range of networking opportunities and a collection of educational roundtable sessions.

  And as part of Target’s 25th anniversary celebrations in 2025, we are delighted to announce an exciting new incentive for independent health food retailers, in which they can claim £100 to spend with any exhibitor. Visiting health food stores will be given a voucher to redeem with any NHT exhibitor worth £100 (trade/retail price, not RRP) with Target Publishing arranging payment as part of its 25-year anniversary celebration.

  David Cann, Founder and Managing Director at Target Publishing, commented: “We are delighted to be marking our 25th anniversary by giving back to the independent health food trade, which is the heartland of our business. For the last 25 years, we have been committed to supporting this important channel through our leading magazines and events and are delighted to continue this commitment with our latest incentive. We look forward to seeing retailers and suppliers in Manchester for a positive weekend of business and celebration.”

  Ruth Gilmour, Sales Director at Target Publishing, added: “The mission of the NHT Summit is to connect independent health food stores with suppliers that are committed to this channel and this incentive is designed to further this mission – whether you claim your incentive from a supplier already stocked in your store or choose to use the voucher to try out a new brand for your store without the cost to your business, we are delighted to be giving something back to our industry.”

  Registration for the event is essential, as no registrations can be made on the day. Visit nhtsummit.co.uk/register or telephone 01279 810080. In addition to the £100 incentive, we also give retailers £20 cash-back towards travel/parking. Terms and conditions apply, see website for full information. Any questions? Email us at info@targetpublishing.com or WhatsApp us on 07457 405049.

Research reveals organic shoppers not necessarily the most affluent

A groundbreaking new study into organic consumer trends has revealed that the shoppers most committed to purchasing organic are not necessarily the most affluent.

UK ORGANIC (UKO) and the Organic Research Centre (ORC) has announced the release of the much-anticipated Consumer Insights Report 2024. The report represents a collaborative effort to support and strengthen the organic sector, with organisations making the report freely available to the industry. The report is a thorough examination, spanning more than 90 pages, and is based on a survey of 2,000 participants and 20 qualitative interviews. It provides a clear and detailed picture of UK consumers and their relationship with organic products and farming.

It was found that contrary to common belief, the consumers most committed to purchasing organic products – dubbed ‘Organic Enthusiasts’ – are not necessarily the most affluent. These consumers, who regularly purchase organic products in four or more categories, are highly aware of the benefits of organic options and are willing to spend more for better quality. Many of these consumers are also motivated by health concerns, such as allergies, intolerances, or a desire to follow a healthier diet, and are actively looking to avoid synthetic pesticides and chemicals in their food and also in products such as cosmetics, personal care and textiles.

Cristina Dimetto, Managing Director of UK ORGANIC, commented: “This comprehensive report is an invaluable tool for uncovering who the organic consumers are and identifying those who might switch to organic or increase their organic purchases if given the right motivations. We’ve decided to make it available to everyone, not just our Affiliate Supporters, because we believe in collaboration and growing the sector together. This report is a crucial asset for building marketing strategies and defining the right channels. Working with the Organic Research Centre was a pleasure, and it allowed us to expand the initial project by combining our efforts. We truly look forward to further collaborations with Lucy MacLennan and her team.”

Lucy MacLennan, Chief Executive of Organic Research Centre, added: “We are very grateful to our project sponsor and all our collaborators for supporting this essential work. This report forms part of a wider effort by ORC, in partnership with UK ORGANIC, to track how organic is perceived by the public, and to identify where and how we need to progress as a sector. As always, we welcome feedback and any ideas for further collaboration in this area.”

UKO and ORC joined forces at the beginning of the year to undertake this comprehensive research project. By pooling resources, the two organisations, with support from Sustain and contributions from the sustainable household brand, If You Care, have produced an in-depth analysis of UK consumer attitudes, behaviours, and knowledge regarding organic products. The full report can be downloaded at UKO & ORC’s ‘Marketing Organic: Consumer Insights Report 2024’ (mailchi.mp)

NATRUE announces Natural Cosmetics Week

NATRUE is launching its first-ever Natural Cosmetics Week, running from 23-29 November 2024. This global initiative is set to raise awareness about the benefits of natural cosmetics – for both people and planet – and encourage a deeper commitment to sustainability within the beauty industry.

This week-long celebration, themed ‘Embrace Nature, Empower Your Skin,’ will highlight the beauty and benefits of natural and organic ingredients in cosmetic products. It will focus on promoting awareness, education, and good practices within the industry, while underscoring the role of sustainability in our industry and inspiring eco-friendly practices to enhance skin health.

NATRUE is inviting everyone to participate and join in celebrating the power of nature in beauty. Brands, retailers, beauty professionals and consumers are all welcome to be involved — whether by hosting a webinar, organising an interactive workshop, or opening your company’s doors for a behind-the-scenes tour. Retailers are being encouraged to create colourful promotional displays at point of sale, while brands can showcase their commitment to natural cosmetics through bespoke promotional activities.

There will be various activities and campaigns taking place during Natural Cosmetics Week, which will shine a spotlight on the benefits of truly natural and sustainable beauty products. In addition, educational workshops and webinars will be held, focusing on the benefits of natural ingredients and sustainable beauty practices.

Natural Cosmetics Week 2024 is a unique opportunity to elevate the conversation around natural beauty products and practices. Together, let’s inspire a deeper connection with nature and encourage people to #ChooseTrueBeauty by embracing natural alternatives that empower both their skin and the planet. Click HERE to find out how you can get involved.

OF&G CEO announces resignation after a decade in role

Roger Kerr has announced that he is to leave his position as CEO at Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G).

Roger leaves the role after 10 years leading the UK organic certification body, and the Board is now seeking to appoint a successor. Roger is committed to ensuring a smooth transition and will remain in post until a successor is appointed.

Chairman of OF&G’s Board, Richard Thompson, expressed his thanks for Roger’s commitment to the organic sector and recognised his impact and influence, commenting: “Roger has been instrumental in OF&G’s growth in stature and recognition as the organic certifier responsible for certifying over half of the UK’s overall organic land area. He has remained true to organic’s core principles, delivering high quality certification services while championing the sector and taking a pragmatic approach to protecting the interests of the organic farming community. As a highly respected figure within the wider agricultural industry, I’d personally like to express my gratitude for Roger’s hard work, leadership and accomplishments.”

Roger added: “I’m incredibly proud of what OF&G and all that the team has achieved, but now is the time for me to explore other personal business and consultancy opportunities. I am also looking forward to finding more time to spend with my family and grandchildren. I would like to extend my thanks to my exceptional team and to the OF&G Board for their guidance and support.”