Onboard catering and retail are changing quickly.
Passenger expectations are rising. Operators are under pressure to improve service quality, reduce waste, manage stock more effectively and make better use of operational data. Catering teams need systems that support them in the real world, not just in ideal conditions. At the same time, technology is moving forward, with more scope for at-seat ordering, smarter stock control, better reporting and more informed decision-making across the onboard retail operation.
That is the thinking behind ECR’s Future of Rail Catering Forum, taking place on Tuesday 23 June 2026 at 30 Euston Square, London.
The forum is designed as a practical industry discussion for train operators, catering partners and others involved in onboard retail. It is not a sales event. The focus is on the real operational challenges facing rail catering today, and how technology, process and collaboration can help the sector move forward.
Why the discussion matters
Onboard retail is a uniquely demanding environment.
Stock moves. Crews change. Journeys vary. Connectivity can be patchy. Space is limited. Service windows are short. Customer demand is not always easy to predict. What looks straightforward from the outside can be much harder to manage in practice.
For operators and catering providers, this raises important questions.
How can stock be loaded and replenished more intelligently? How can waste be reduced without affecting availability? How can crew be supported with quicker, more reliable workflows? How can at-seat ordering be made operationally practical rather than simply customer-facing? How can reporting move from historic data to something that genuinely supports better decisions?
These are not just technology questions. They are operational questions.
That is why the forum is intended to bring the right people together: those who understand the pressures of onboard service and are interested in where the sector goes next.
What the day will cover
The forum will include a mixture of practical demonstrations, open discussion and shared industry insight.
Topics will include:
- the current challenges facing onboard catering and retail teams;
- how onboard retail platforms are evolving;
- stock management across trains, trolleys, depots and fulfilment locations;
- at-seat ordering and the operational workflows behind it;
- offline operation and service continuity;
- smarter replenishment and product availability;
- the role of reporting, analytics and AI in future decision-making;
- what operators and catering partners need from technology suppliers over the next few years.
The aim is to keep the discussion grounded in the reality of rail operations. This is not about abstract digital transformation. It is about what actually helps crew, catering teams and operators deliver a better service.
Sharing experience across the sector
One of the most valuable aspects of the forum is the opportunity for operators and catering partners to compare experiences.
Different organisations face different pressures, but many of the underlying challenges are shared. Managing stock accurately, keeping service moving, improving visibility, reducing manual work and making better use of data are common themes across the sector.
The forum creates a space for those conversations to happen openly and constructively.
It also gives attendees the opportunity to see recent developments in ECR’s RailPro platform, including improvements being delivered around onboard retail, stock control, order management, reporting and future functionality. The intention is not simply to show software, but to use the platform as a way of discussing the wider operational direction of onboard catering.
Looking ahead
Rail catering has always depended on people: crew, catering teams, planners, operational managers and suppliers all working together under demanding conditions.
Technology cannot replace that. But it can make the job easier, give teams better information, reduce avoidable friction and support more consistent service.
The next stage of onboard retail will not be defined by one feature or one device. It will be shaped by how well systems support the full operation: from stock planning and fulfilment through to onboard service, at-seat ordering, reconciliation, reporting and future decision-making.
That is the conversation we want to have.
Join us on 23 June
ECR’s Future of Rail Catering Forum will take place on Tuesday 23 June 2026, from 10am to 3pm, at 30 Euston Square, London.
The event is aimed at rail operators, catering providers and others involved in onboard retail and catering. Lunch will be provided, and there will be plenty of opportunity for discussion throughout the day.
For those working close to the realities of onboard catering, the forum should be a useful opportunity to step back, share experience and consider where the sector goes next.
To reserve your place, please contact kate@ecr.co.uk.