Nearly 90 suppliers showcased their latest products and innovations to hundreds of forecourt operators and convenience retailers at G.A.P. Convenience Distribution Ltd's 2026 tradeshow, as the annual event recorded a 50 per cent increase in retailer attendance and expanded its exhibitor base.
The two-day exhibition was held at the CorpAcq Stadium in Manchester for a third consecutive year.
Suppliers from a broad range of categories were present showcasing products from car care to confectionery, drinks to snacking, toys to technology, and leisure to non-food consumables.
Included in those exhibiting was G.A.P. subsidiary businesses Marine Supplies Direct, Straight 2 You, and Car & Caravan with G.A.P. core brands Brookstone, Brookline, and Unipart taking centre stage in the company’s display area.
Sensational on the day deals were offered up to retailers in attendance to drive sales triggering a strong day of business.
Steve Pugh, General Manager of G.A.P. Convenience Distribution Ltd, who are part of the Alliance Distribution Group, was delighted with the outcome.
He said: “Each G.A.P. tradeshow we try and build on the ever-higher bar achieved in the previous year, and I think 2026 we have succeeded in reaching a new height again.
“It was fantastic to welcome so many of our customers to the tradeshow, speak to them about the opportunities we heave, and learn more about some of the challenges they are experiencing in the market.
“Our attendance from forecourt operators and dry site retailers was up 50% on last year which is a superb result. We also managed to incorporate even more of our valued suppliers this year too and we thank them for the support of our tradeshow.
“In a nutshell, our 2026 event meant more suppliers had the opportunity to meet with more customers. It was a win-win scenario, and I am delighted with the results.”
Duckhams were attending the G.A.P. tradeshow for the first time, and Lee Shipley, Key Account Manager, said: “I have been well looked after, and the brand has received loads of interest. I am very proud to sell this brand with its 127 years of heritage, and it has been excellent talking to like-minded people.
“It was great to showcase our classic 20-50 oil which is the same that was advertised on TV years ago. I also had on display our brake and clutch fluids, gear oils, and our transmission fluids. We also have a brand-new motorbike range which will cover everything from classic BSA bikes to Ducati which is an exciting development.”
Paul Turner was also attending the event for the first time bringing with him his Detailing Ninjas brand. He said: “I am delighted with the performance of our products and the opportunity to showcase them here with G.A.P. who will be our primary retail supplier. The range is just five products, simplifying what we offer to include everything you would need – ceramic shampoo, wheel cleaner, quick detailer, glass cleaner, and tyre shine.
“The products come in a brown cardboard box with a cloth, and they appear on shelf a bit like a gifting set. They look natural and have appeal. It has been a very interesting couple of days, and I am pleased with the feedback and the orders that have been taken.”
Another first-time exhibitor was yfood who produce ready to drink complete meals. Paul O’Connor, Account Manager, said: “We began selling through G.A.P. in October and it has gone very well. Our drinks contain 30g of protein in each bottle, are full of fibre, and include all the nutrients you need but the difference with yfood is that our demographic is 50% female due to the look and feel of the brand.
“G.A.P. have been excellent at pushing the volumes into retail stores and the other great thing about the product is that it does not need to be chilled. Attending the tradeshow has been valuable to understand key challenges in convenience retail from some of the retailers selling yfood and it has been great to engage with them.”
James Ticer, Manager at Vibe Centre, was displaying the Vibe and C3 brands. He said: “We have been working with G.A.P. for over 10 years now and it was brilliant to be able to exhibit our range of phone holders, chargers, cables and accessories to attendees at the tradeshow.
“Our products are an essential category to be ranged in forecourt retail settings in particular and it has been a very good two days full of excellent conversations with customers with a strong turnout spread across both days.”
Based at Bowland View in Preston, G.A.P. Convenience Distribution Ltd is part of the James Hall & Co. Ltd Group of Companies and is one of the country’s leading providers of non-food items for the forecourt and convenience retail sector.