NEW YORK (September 28, 2023) - PLMA has announced that IGA Inc. President and CEO John Ross will be the keynote speaker at its 2023 Annual Private Label Trade Show, Nov. 12-14 in Chicago.

Ross will speak at the Monday, Nov. 13, keynote breakfast, entitled, “Economics, Global Retailing and the Opportunity for Private Label Growth.”

Ross is responsible for domestic and global operations for IGA, the world’s largest independent supermarket network. In his presentation, he will reveal changes in consumer behavior based on global data from over 6,500 IGA stores worldwide. He will discuss how new shopping behavior will plot the course for the industry in the short run and guide investment strategies over the long haul.  

Ross is one of many industry experts who will lead thought-provoking presentations that address key industry topics.  
 
On Sunday, Nov. 12:  

• Marshal Cohen, Chief Industry Advisor, Retail, Circana, “Retail Compression: Private Label’s Big Opportunity.”
• Kevin Ryan, Founder/CEO of Malachite Strategy and Research, "Taste of Tomorrow: Forecasting the Future Forces Reshaping Private Label Food."
• Sara Williamson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Marketing, SUNY Old Westbury, will reveal key findings from PLMA’s new Gen Z Shopper Survey.
• Laureen Schroeder, Owner/Founder of Bespoke Beauty Partners, “What’s Next in Beauty: Top Trends for Innovation.”

On Tuesday, Nov. 14, at the Retail Trends Breakfast:

• Ken Harris, Managing Partner, Cadent Consulting Group, will identify many of the topics highlighted in the press today to provide a real-world view of what is truly happening with his clients.

PLMA has also announced that exhibitor space at the show has sold out. Ranked a Gold 100 Show and the largest of its kind, the show will feature 1,650 exhibiting companies and 2,760 booths.  Exhibitor demand is so strong that an additional show hall will be used to accommodate a 20% increase in booth space from last year. Non-food exhibitors alone have increased by more than 40%.

“The exhibitor enthusiasm reflects the importance and growth of private brands, now a $230 billion industry,” said PLMA President Peggy Davies. “The Private Label Trade Show is the hub of private label innovation, information and ideas.”

The exhibit floor of PLMA’s 2023 "THE STORE BRANDS PHENOMENON” Private Label Trade Show will feature dozens of product categories, including wine and spirits; baby care essentials; shelf-stable groceries; plant-based foods, beverages; fresh, frozen and refrigerated products; organics; foodservice products; beauty and cosmetics; pet care; personal and self-care; household and laundry; OTC pharmaceuticals; vitamins and supplements; paper and plastics; kitchenware and general merchandise.

The event has a strong global presence: 45% of the exhibit floor will be filled with companies from outside the U.S.

About 760 specialty food and nonfood exhibitors from nearly 60 countries in Europe, South America and Asia will be featured in over 40 national pavilions and elsewhere on the show floor.  

Retailers told PLMA that "THE STORE BRANDS PHENOMENON” theme perfectly describes the growth and expansion of store brands.  

“Phenomenon means the excitement around how big private label has become,” said one retail executive. “Consumers understand it saves money yet enables healthy choices."  

Among the many special on-site exhibits at the show:  PLMA’s Idea Supermarket®, which features the latest product and packaging trends; the New Product Expo; plus the PLMA Salute to Excellence award winners for store brand innovation.

PLMA offers many pre-show services, including PLMA's Show Navigator, 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 and Monday and Tuesday Breakfast sessions

Show Navigator is launched 30 days prior to the show. During the show, Show Navigator is a mobile-friendly tool accessible to all attendees over a dedicated Wi-Fi network. For more information, contact PLMA at +1 212 972-3131, email info@plma.com or visit www.plma.com.

About PLMA

The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) is a non-profit trade organization founded in 1979 to promote the store brands industry. With executive offices in New York and International Council offices in Amsterdam, PLMA represents more than 4,000 member companies worldwide. In addition to the Annual Private Label Trade Show in Chicago and its World of Private Label Trade Show in Amsterdam, PLMA provides annual conferences, executive education and professional development opportunities. Follow PLMA on plma.com, plmainternational.com, and on social media:

PLMA’s Lunch and Learn session on September 21st, Navigating the Retail Consolidation and Fulfillment Landscape, will discuss comparing the major retailers, your risk and rewards, and how to improve your on-shelf availability for store brands through transportation and fulfillment. With Hub Group’s experts on consolidation and fulfillment learn how to navigate, mitigate risk and the requirements of major retailers.

The presenters will include Lem Goodpasture, the Senior Vice President of Sales for Hub Group and is responsible for strategies that promote sales growth and customer satisfaction. He leads a team of sales professionals who have expertise across multiple transportation and logistics segments including final mile, dedicated, consolidation, fulfillment, managed logistics, intermodal and trucking capabilities.

These inflationary times have changed the way shoppers buy beverages. Emily Moquin, lead food & beverage analyst for Morning Consult, shares how store brands can benefit. Plus, in our extended video, Moquin reveals new product trends, including functional beverages and ready-to-drink cocktails. She also discusses “damp drinking” and the resulting focus on high-quality beverages. All this and more with PLMA Live! host Carol Angrisani. CLICK HERE FOR FULL INTERVIEW.