Basket on the Edge: Trust, Control and Price
17 th edition,
october 8, 2026
Location: SOFIA
Since the beginning of the year, the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) market in Bulgaria has found itself in an unprecedented situation. The consumer basket is literally on the edge – shopper budgets are squeezed by rising prices, the state is attempting to dictate free-market rules through administrative controls, price caps, and heightened regulations, while manufacturers and retailers face a critical choice: how to sustain their business without losing the consumer?
PROGRESSIVE Conference Sofia Edition
After sixteen successful editions held outside the capital, the PROGRESSIVE Conference is opening a new chapter in its history. On October 8, 2026, the leading B2B event for the FMCG sector in Bulgaria is moving to Sofia.
This is not just a change of location. It is a complete reboot of the format, tailored to the valuable time of the modern executive and designed to address the market's unprecedented challenges.
WHY IS THE SOFIA EDITION DIFFERENT?
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Maximum Concentration, Zero Wasted Time: We transformed the traditional two-day event into an intensive, high-velocity business experience. We save you travel and logistics to deliver pure essence — raw data, proven case studies, and strategic debates.
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Access for Entire Teams: The Sofia location eliminates hotel and travel allowance costs. This allows companies to reinvest their saved budgets into bringing a larger portion of their sales teams, Key Account Managers, and Category Managers.
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Digitalized & Targeted Networking: We are moving from passive business card exchanges to structured B2B meetings. Through a dedicated platform, you will be able to schedule 15-minute targeted sessions with potential partners, manufacturers, or buyers in a specialized networking zone in advance.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
We are curating a high-impact, "under pressure" agenda that won't waste your time with fluff. We are selecting speakers directly from the frontlines of business in Bulgaria and the region, alongside international experts and tech visionaries. We will tackle the most pressing topics of the day: from the battle over margins and regulatory pressure to the Private Label revolution and AI optimization in logistics.
One day in Sofia. Ideas and connections for months ahead.
Why attend
- You will get the latest insights on the development of the FMCG sector in Bulgaria;
- You will hear the best speakers discuss the latest trends;
- You will get inspirational ideas, which will help you to move your business to the next level;
- You will be able to network;
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You will expand your knowledge and become more competitive;
- You will join the elite of the industry.
65% – attended
more than one edition
77% – intend to
attend the next edition
Who should attend
Recognized as the essential meeting place in the retail calendar, the Progressive Conference gathers annually over 250 delegates from the boardroom level decision makers from distribution and FMCG manufacturers, retail, research and consultancy companies.
- Aquisition Directors
- Aqusisition/Category Managers
- Sales Directors
- National Key Account Managers
- Commercial Directors
- CEOs
- Operational Directors
- Marketing Directors
- Development Directors
- Shop Managers/Administrator/Owners
- Retail Networks Directors