Food to go and hot drinks, two of 2009's significant areas of opportunity for convenience retailers, are a central feature of this year's Convenience Retailing Show (CRS) which takes place at the NEC, March 1-3.

The new Café+@CRS section includes Café+Live, where specialists such as Country Choice, Coffee Nation and Subway will give an insight into running a food-to-go operation.

Cafe+ will offer impartial advice on laying out a food installation, product selection, merchandising, health & safety and space versus profitability.

This year's CRS also promises to offer visitors tips to help them survive the economic downturn. Event director Matthew Butler said: "Our aim is to help retailers save money and boost profits."

Big-name suppliers including Allied Bakeries, Arla Foods, Gallaher, Imperial Tobacco, Kettle Foods, Pepsico, Unilever and Warburtons will be showing their wares.

Retailers interested in joining a symbol group will be able to meet representatives of Booker Premier, Landmark Wholesale and Musgrave Retail Partners.

Every visitor to CRS will be given a voucher booklet containing exclusive show deals that could save thousands, and the Take More, Make More programme of seminars and panel discussions will provide ideas that will lead to extra profit.

For more information, see www.convenienceshow.com.