Only one month left before PLMA opens the doors on its 2022 Private Label Trade Show, November 13-15, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago.
As of September 20, PLMA had over 1,200 exhibiting companies participating in the show. Those companies represent over 2,100 booths. By the time the show opens, PLMA is projecting over 1,300 exhibitors and more than 2,200 booths, making the show the largest Private Label event in North America.
“The exhibit hall will be filled with thousands of new products that will shape the future of store brands,” said Peggy Davies, president of the Private Label Manufacturers Association.
Exhibits will be spread out in separate halls of the convention center so that exhibitors can be found more easily. The South Hall will be devoted to health and beauty, household goods, kitchenware, and general merchandise. Food, snacks, beverages, refrigerated and frozen will be featured in the North, South and Sky Halls.
"A lot has happened since our industry last met in Chicago three years ago," said Anthony Aloia, PLMA’s corporate vice president.
For starters, sales are up. Aloia noted that one reason is that store brands are widely seen by American shoppers as an important ally against persistent inflation and other financial pressures.
Over the first eight months of 2022, sales grew by 9.8%, almost twice the increase of national brands, reported IRI. Over the past three months, 15 of 17 departments saw store brand sales growth. Store brands accounted for one of every five products sold across all U.S. channels and reached $200 million in sales in 2021 and are projected to climb well over $210 million this year.
By the end of 2022, PLMA projects annual store brand dollar sales will have increased by 36% over a five-year period.
The show will also place special emphasis on food and non-food areas where store brand innovation is exploding. These include plant-based and free-from; wine and spirits; food and non-food with an international flair; and sustainable, clean label products and packaging.
“Our 2022 U.S. show represents an opportunity for all of us to catch up and learn more about these and other new and emerging trends,” said Aloia. “All participants will be able to feel, touch, smell, test and experience all the great store brand products on display on the show floor."
Dedicated to helping retailers, wholesalers and others make the most of their time when visiting the show, PLMA offers a range of pre-show services and special on-site exhibits.
These include:
- PLMA's Matchmaker™ online service lets registered retailers arrange appointments with exhibitors in advance of the show.
- PLMA’s New Product Expo displays the latest product innovations submitted by exhibitors.
- PLMA's Idea Supermarket® for best-in-class private label branding concepts, products, and packaging from retailers across the country and around the world.
- PLMA's Annual Salute to Excellence Awards display. The annual Salute to Excellence Awards give recognition to outstanding new store brand products.
- PLMA's Show Navigator is a comprehensive resource for the show where all registrants will find the following details:
- Exhibitors
- Product Announcements
- PLMA's Idea Supermarket
- Trade Show Facts
- Show Floor Plan
- Sunday Afternoon Seminars
Show Navigator is launched 30 days prior to the show. During the show, PLMA's Show Navigator can be used by smartphones or tablet to allow attendees to move around the show floor efficiently. This tool is also available for many months after the event.
For more information, go to www.plma.com, or call us at +1 212 972-3131 or e-mail info@plma.com