Private Label is unique. It is sold from coast-to-coast, yet carries hundreds of different brands. Sales exceed $60 billion, yet most manufacturers are unknown to the public. Representing this diverse industry is the Private Label Manufacturers Association, the only trade association devoted exclusively to the private label industry.
The centerpiece of the Association’s annual programs are its trade shows, providing private label manufacturers with unique selling opportunities around the world.
United States
The largest concentration of private label buyers anywhere convenes each year at PLMA’s annual trade show at the Rosemont Convention Center in Chicago. It includes top decision-makers from supermarkets, drug chains, mass merchandisers, wholesalers, co-ops, convenience stores, department stores and military exchanges. The show is held each year in November.
Europe
PLMA’s World of Private Label International Trade Show, meanwhile, has grown to more than 2,900 stands and now represents manufacturers from nearly 70 countries. The show attracts buyers from supermarkets, hypermarkets, discounters, and importers and exporters from across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The show is held in May each year at the RAI Exhibition Centre in Amsterdam.
While members of the retailing industry obtain general news and information from a variety of sources, members of the private label industry often require far more specific information. PLMA meets that need with a range of publications and periodicals.
Newsletters
Long recognized as a major source of current information on the private label business, PLMA’s newsletter, SCANNER, is published quarterly and contains news and feature articles, interviews, consumer and market research reports, retailer news, and a trade press digest. In addition to SCANNER, PLMA publishes a monthly E-SCANNER which is sent to all members via e-mail.
Studies and Reports
PLMA also regularly commissions studies on market trends and consumer attitudes. PLMA’s Roundtable series covers important industry issues such as the market potential of organics or the government regulation of product claims. The latest Roundtable report From Merchant to Marketer covers the transformation of retailing over the last twenty years from shelf-space management to product marketing.
Since consumer attitudes and behavior are often difficult to track, PLMA’s market research programs helps members keep abreast of the latest trends.
Yearbook
Prepared exclusively for PLMA by Information Resources, Inc., PLMA’s Annual Private Label Yearbook contains benchmarking data on dollar and unit market share for more than 250 product categories across the three major retail channels: supermarkets, drug chains and mass merchandisers. In addition to the Yearbook, PLMA members can go online and get quarterly and regional market share data for more than 1,800 categories.
Public Opinion Surveys
Public opinion surveys are conducted for PLMA on a regular basis by the Gallup Organization, MORI and other polling companies. PLMA’s reports analyze and comment on shopping attitudes, offering insights into how consumers feel about store brands. The latest study is Store Brands Come of Age.
Private label is a fast-changing business. New technology means new ways to communicate within the industry as well as new ways to get information out to the public about private label.
PLMA Global Leading the way is PLMA Global, a series of online trade shows which offers retailers access to member manufacturers from all over the world. Shows are organized by category, seasonality, country, and service. All exhibitors are automatically listed on PLMA online shows.
Online DirectoriesFinding the right broker or supplier for the job at hand is often a difficult task. PLMA helps members locate that "right" partner with an online Member Broker Directory and Member Supplier Directory.
Net Profit Software Developed exclusively for PLMA members, this software package calculates net profitability of private label products based on retail inputs. It permits members to demonstrate their true contribution to bottom line profits. The software is simple and user-friendly.
U.S. Programs Developed in conjunction with St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PLMA offers three levels of study. The Core Curriculum provides basic information and insight into private label history, marketing, supply chain management, promotion, packaging, and legal studies. The Advanced Curriculum focuses on leadership and strategy. The Retail Colloquy deals with problem-solving.
International Programs PLMA also works with major universities in Europe to provide executive education to international members. Programs are currently offered in conjunction with Nyenrode University in Amsterdam, University of Paris Dauphine in Paris and SDA Bocconi University in Milan.
One area of growing concern for PLMA is government
and legislative relations, including trade practices and legislative and regulatory issues. To promote and protect
the industry’s interests in Washington, PLMA organizes its own annual event as well as working closely with other
trade organizations.
Annual Washington Conference The Washington Conference is devoted to establishing ties with both lawmakers and lobbyists on laws and legislation that will influence the private label industry in the years ahead.
Regulatory Presentations and Congressional Testimony
Another initiative involves representing the industry before regulatory agencies, such as the FDA. Issues vary from nutritional labeling to HABA and OTC regulations. PLMA is also active before congressional committees, giving testimony as legislation arises. Past involvement has included design copyright hearings, for example.
PLMA is a membership organization which draws its leadership from its roster of member manufacturers, brokers, and suppliers. At the top of the organization is PLMA’s Board of Directors, composed of the Chairman of the Board, two Vice-Chairmen, the Association’s President and fifteen Board members.
Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference PLMA holds an annual meeting and leadership conference each year to discuss the state-of-the-industry and prospects for the future. It is an opportunity to confer with partners and peers, as well as retailers and wholesalers, in a shirt-sleeve atmosphere to better understand industry problems.
HeadquartersThe Association maintains headquarters in New York. PLMA’s International Council is located in Amsterdam. There are also sales and marketing representatives in Great Britain, France, Germany and Spain. For more information, please contact PLMA at (212) 972-3131.