PLMA’s Private Label Trade Show, the industry’s flagship business event, will be held November 15-17 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago.

Since 2022, the Show has increased 35% in exhibiting companies and 31% in participating retailers, wholesalers and other visitors. Last year’s event drew more than 14,000 attendees, including retailers, exhibitors, and industry professionals. More than 60 countries were represented.

More than 1,900 exhibitors will showcase the latest innovations in food and nonfood products from across the U.S. and around the world. Buyers from every retail channel are welcome.

Private Label Shoppers Are Saving More in 2026 vs. 2025

As American grocery shoppers continue to cope with high prices, store brands are still providing a way to lessen their pain at checkout. In fact, during Q1 of 2026, store brands represented even greater savings for consumers than a year ago on the purchase of everyday household needs, according to PLMA research based on Circana data.

During the three-month period ending March 22, shoppers saved 17% when they opted for the store brand version of food and nonfood grocery products rather than the national brand counterpart. All store brand products sold in the U.S. during Q1 were priced on average at $4.11 per unit while all national brands were $4.79 each. The price difference per unit was 68 cents, or 17%, according to PLMA, which based the finding on YTD sales results from Circana.

By comparison, during FY 2025, all store brands sold were priced on average at $4.18 per unit, while all national brands were $4.69 each, a difference of 51 cents, or 12%. That's a 42% improvement in consumer savings in Q1 compared to all of last year.

A record number of 24 accomplished executives comprised the Private Label Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 that was inducted at a special ceremony held at PLMA’s 2026 Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference in Bentonville, Arkansas.

New honorees and their categories included:

In addition to adjustments made to their own grocery lists, many GLP-1 consumers report that their healthier diets have had a positive influence on their overall households, according to an Acosta study.

These consumers are purchasing more fresh produce (55%), yogurt (32%), fresh chicken (31%), protein shakes and powders (30%), and protein bars (29%). Conversely, fewer sweets (58%), salty snacks (44%), and sugary drinks (41%) are being added to in-store and online shopping carts.

Key categories of interest among all GLP-1 consumers, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, include high-protein, high-fiber, hydration/electrolyte, and gut health products, confirming the importance of embedding protein-forward and nutrient-dense products into innovation pipelines.

Specialty grocers are winning over shoppers across income levels, according to the U.S. Grocery Outlook 2026 by Consumer Edge.

Consumer Edge's transaction data shows that consumers are not simply spending less – they are becoming more selective and shifting dollars toward retailers that offer either strong value or a more differentiated shopping experience.

The specialty grocer subsector, comprised of retailers such as Trade Joe's, Whole Foods and Wegmans, are seeing growth from low-, middle- and high-income households, signaling broad consumer appeal across income groups.

Younger consumers, particularly Generation Z, increasingly view private labels as higher-quality alternatives to name brands, according to Circana.

According to Circana research, 29% of Gen Z say private label quality is higher than national brands.

In the United States, private label sales reached $330 billion, capturing a 24% unit share and a 23% dollar share of the total market.

In 2024, PLMA conducted research on Gen Z and store brands. Click here to read PLMA’s 2024 Gen Z Consumer Research Report.

• Aldi will eliminate 44 more ingredients from its private label food assortment by December 2027, increasing its restricted ingredient list from 13 to 57.
• More than 120 Meijer private label products have 5 grams of fiber or more per serving, with more than 20 in the True Goodness brand. New items launching this year include Frederik’s by Meijer Sesame Protein Pasta Salad, 13g protein per serving; Meijer Protein Puffs Snacks, 12g protein per serving; and True Goodness by Meijer Grass-Fed & Finished Double Smoked Beef Sticks, 10g protein per serving.
• Save A Lot has relaunched and expanded its private label Hispanic brand under a new name, La Tierra de Sabores.

The Kroger Co.’s new frozen Private Selection® Mexican Inspired Street Corn is made from fire roasted corn mixed with cotija cheese sauce and taco seasoning, cayenne, and black pepper.

Every month, we highlight two PLMA Salute to Excellence Award® winners for store brand creativity and innovation. Click here to view the full list of winners. The 2026 nomination period opens in June.

Food: Giant Eagle® Vanilla Ice Cream Filled Cupcakes

Nonfood: Smart & Final, First Street®, Extra Large 3 Compartment Hinged Container

“People today shop for speed - speed at shelf and speed in digital engagement.”

- Scott Morris - Walmart's Senior Vice President of Private Brands Food, Consumables, and Manufacturing – told PLMA Live! about the redesign of the Great Value flagship private brand.

Click here to watch the interview.

The Walmart Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas, is open daily for visitors to learn about Walmart's journey from a single small-town store to the world's biggest retailer.

We visited the museum last month, and found a history of its private label growth.