Many industry figures have been spelling out their wish lists for 2013, with better weather and improved retail relations predictably high on the list.

One sector showing it has a rosy future is wholesale, with traders upbeat about the possibilities for the coming year (see p18-19).

As well as the fact that redevelopments at New Covent Garden and Birmingham markets are moving on, foodservice expert Peter Backman has made optimistic noises about the growth of the sector in 2013, which should boost market traders too.

According to Backman, a bottoming-out of the decline in the foodservice sector will be reached this year, leaving only the most efficient operators. He also predicts a return of consumer confidence boosting spend in eating out.

All of that bodes well for the wholesale sector. There may not be the major public events of 2012 planned for this year, but the building blocks are in place for a promising 12 months.