PLMA's 2023 Trade Show to Hail 'The Store Brands Phenomenon'

The largest event for store brands in North America is set for November 12-14 in Chicago

NEW YORK (April 24, 2023) - At a time when store brands have grown to become a $230 billion industry in the U.S., PLMA has announced a fitting theme for its 2023 Private Label Trade Show: “The Store Brands Phenomenon.”

The show will be held November 12-14 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago.

"'The Store Brands Phenomenon' theme is appropriate in many ways," said PLMA President Peggy Davies. "Hailed as dynamic, innovative and pervasive, store brands offer boundless opportunities for retailers, manufacturers and trade suppliers."

The growth of store brands has been strong and steady. By the end of 2022, PLMA calculates that annual store brand sales had increased by 40% over a five-year period. Last year's double-digit gains continued through the first quarter of 2023, according to Circana. Sales and dollar and unit market shares are at all-time highs. 

They are the shopper’s best friend, offering innovation, performance and quality. Store brands accounted for nearly one-third of all new sales flowing into U.S. retailing last year.

And there's more to come. Every day, store brand products are moving into new categories, new chains, new channels, and new platforms.

“Store brands are a powerful retailer component that provides important points of differentiation, competitive advantage and builds consumer loyalty," added Davies.

The 2023 Private Label Trade Show will reflect this expansion. PLMA expects that over 1,500 companies will be exhibiting and 5,000 individuals attending.

"For more than 40 years, PLMA has provided supermarkets, supercenters, drug chains, wholesale clubs, dollar and specialty stores, mass merchandisers, importers and exporters, and e-commerce retailers an exclusive venue to discover the latest food and non-food products, ingredients, flavors, fragrances, and packaging,” Davies said.

For more information on "The Store Brands Phenomenon" trade show, contact PLMA at +1 212 972-3131, email info@plma.com or click here for more information.

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, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Store Brand Beverage Numbers Deserve a Toast!

Featured in PLMA’s e-Scanner March 25, 2023 newsletter, created by Tom Prendergast, Director, Research Services

Throughout store brands' steady double-digit gains of 2022, which has continued through the first two months of this year, fully 16 of the 17 departments tracked by IRI showed store brand improvement.

One department demonstrated particularly strong sales performance -- Beverages -- a section once considered impenetrable for store brands due to the powerhouse national brands that inhabit it.

But that dominance may be changing. In this extremely competitive department, store brands have been growing at a faster pace than brands for the past 4, 12 and 52 weeks, reported IRI Unify exclusively to PLMA.

The numbers deserve a toast. Total private label beverage sales in 2022 were $12 billion and dollar sales grew by 19.3%. Double digit growth continued into the new year as dollar sales over the past four weeks totaled 18.6%, only a slight dip from the 20% sales growth in the past three months.  

The Beverages department is the third largest of the 17 tracked by IRI when it comes to national brand and store brand dollar sales ($130B) and second largest in unit sales with over 40 billion in sales. 

The largest category in beverages is bottled water. The category has sales of $6.8 billion in 2022 and dollar sales growth of 23.1%. While dollar sales did slow, from 21.3% over 12 weeks to 20.3% in the past four weeks, it remains the largest dollar sales category in the department.

Water is not the only growth category in this department. When you take a closer look at other areas you see while not everyone is showing growth but the ones gaining sales are especially strong.

For instance, carbonated beverages have increased from 15.8%-dollar sales growth last year to 32.4% in February and 28.9% over the past three months. This growth is also reflected in unit sales, as sales for carbonated beverages grew 4% in the past 4 weeks and 1.2% over the past 12 weeks. While unit sales did dip 2.5% last year, like dollar sales, sales of units of carbonated beverages continued to advance.

Two other growing categories over this period were refrigerated tea/coffee and tea bags. Refrigerated tea/coffee grew from 8.2% in dollar sales last year to 10.7% in the past four weeks. Tea bags had even more dramatic results, as dollar sales went from 5% in 2022 to 12.3% in the past three months to 17.5% in the past four weeks.

Other categories also stood out. These include bottled juices (10%), coffee (15.4%) and ready to drink tea/coffee (15.8%); all had double digit growth in 2022. In the past four weeks, while growth has slowed, it remains positive, ranging from 66.8% for ready to drink tea and coffee to 13.9% for coffee and 10.2% for bottled juices.

Unit sales improvements were also striking. Ready to drink tea/coffee saw units rise from 10.4% in 2022 to 84% over the past 3 months and 75.7% in the past 4 weeks. Coffee unit sales were up 2.8% last year but kept most of that growth in the past four weeks with a 2.5%-unit sales growth.

After decades of being a bottom shelf afterthought in a strong national branded department, store brands are evolving to become a presence if not a player in many parts of the huge Beverages sector.

To find out more IRI Unify data is available to all PLMA members and can be found at plma.com where these statistics and sales of 317 categories and 967 subcategories can be found.

PLMA Announces 2023 Private Label Hall of Fame Inductees
HOF logo

NEW YORK (March 23, 2023) - The Private Label Hall of Fame Class of 2023 was inducted last night during PLMA’s Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference in Orlando. 

Presented by PLMA and Store Brands magazine, the Private Label Hall of Fame was created in 2006 to recognize the men and women who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the global private brand industry.  

This year, the Hall of Fame honors 16 individuals in four categories: Next Gen Private Label Leader, Private Brand Innovator, Private Brand Champion, and Lifetime Achievement. 

“We proudly celebrate the outstanding achievements of these proven leaders and innovators,” said PLMA President Peggy Davies. “Their hard work and dedication are instrumental to the success of the store brands business.” 


Private Label Hall of Fame Class of 2023
 

         Next Gen Private Label Leader: 

  • Anthony Cera III, Own Brands Manager, Perishables, SpartanNash    
  • Colleen Kangas, President, Purcell International      
  • Angela LePore, Senior Manager, Private Brands Product Development, Simmons Pet Food, Inc.    
  • Kristin Provost, Senior Manager, Category Insights, Topco Associates, LLC                 
     
    Private Brand Innovator:
     
  • Alicia Cook, Category Director, Save A Lot                        
  • Casey Creegan, Manager of Merchandising, Love’s Travel Stops        
  • Roger Scommegna, CEO, Flying Blue Imports         
  • Guido Tremolini, President/Co-Owner, G.S. Gelato

    Private Brand Champion: 
  • Shane Brown, Director, Own Brand Sourcing, Giant Eagle, Inc. 
  • Jill Clark, VP, Sales and Marketing, Dutch Gold Honey, Inc. 
  • Andrea Collaro, Senior Director, Owned Brands, Brand Management/Product Development, Walgreens Co. 
  • Kristie Nicolosi, CEO, The Kingswood Company

        Lifetime Achievement: 

  • Brenda Lord, Vice President, Private Brands, CVS Health          
  • Nancy Ragozzino, President, Ragozzino Foods, Inc.         
  • Andy Russick, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Pacific Coast Producers      
  • Jill Sando, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer, Target
     
    “The 16 honorees represent the best of the best from across the world of private label and showcase the depth of talent the industry has to offer,” said Store Brands magazine Executive Editor & Associate Publisher Greg Sleter. “This august group of retailers and suppliers have had a major impact on the private label business and will continue to do so in the years ahead.” 
     
    Profiles on all inductees will be featured in the May/June issue of Store Brands magazine, featured on StoreBrands.com, and posted in a special section of 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, Twitter and LinkedIn.
"How Private Label Packaging Strategies Influence Shoppers Intent to Purchase"
PLMA Announces New Format, Expert Speakers for its Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference, April 2-4
2025 Leadership Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: press@plma.com

PLMA Announces New Format, Expert Speakers for its Annual 
Meeting & Leadership Conference, April 2-4

More flexible sessions - Wide range of industry topics - Jack Sinclair, CEO, Sprouts, headlines list of two dozen top-tier speakers


NEW YORK (February 11, 2025) - As part of its strategic objective focused on delivering high-impact events, PLMA has announced a new format for its 2025 Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference, April 2-4 at the Mountain Shadows Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Themed “Private Brands: Spirit of the Past, Force for the Future,” the two-day conference unites manufacturers, retailers, and others to discuss trends in private brands and retailing.

Attendees will have a completely new experience compared to previous conferences. Sessions will be more flexible and interactive.

Plus, the speaker lineup is more powerful than ever. Jack Sinclair, CEO, Sprouts, tops the list of two dozen industry leaders with in-depth knowledge of industry challenges and opportunities. All speakers will present engaging content and fresh, unique perspectives on key topics facing food and nonfood categories.

Among the trending topics on the agenda:

  • “Turning Private Labels into Powerhouse Brands.”
  • “Accelerating Innovation for Private Brands.” 
  • “Adapting to a Changing Consumer Landscape.”

Plus, one of the riveting panel discussions will examine the impact of GLP-1 medicine - and ways to seize store brand opportunities.

“PLMA is thrilled to announce the new format and dynamic speaker lineup,” said PLMA President Peggy Davies. “We look forward to welcoming some of the top minds in business who will address impactful topics to educate and inspire attendees.” 

The broad set of speakers includes:

  • Jack Sinclair, CEO, Sprouts Farmers Market, for a Fireside Chat.
  • Maria Arand, Director, Office of the Customer Team, 84.51° and Kroger, “Private Brand & Consumer Behavior: Adapting to a Changing Consumer Landscape."
  • Burt P. Flickinger III, Managing Director, Strategic Resource Group, “Saving America: Private Brands Helping Retailers, Consumers, and Farmers.”
  • Rachel Dalton, Head of Retail Insights North America, Kantar, “Accelerating Innovation for Private Label Brands.”
  • Angus McQuat, Partner, McKinsey, “Turning Private Labels into Powerhouse Brands.”
  • Neil Saunders, President, Retail GlobalData, “Innovation and Trends in Private Label.”
  • Sally Lyons Wyatt, Global EVP & Chief Advisor, Consumer Goods & Foodservice Insights, Circana, “From Growth to Transformation: The U.S. Private Brand Opportunity.”
  • Thomas Bailey, Executive Director, Consumer Foods, RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness, “The Perfect Storm (for private label growth).”

Along with addressing pertinent industry topics, the event is when the Class of 2025 is inducted into the Private Label Hall of Fame. This is a special time to honor those who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the global private label industry.

Click here to register and view the full agenda.

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 4,500 member companies worldwide. In addition to the Annual Private Label Trade Show in Chicago and its World of Private Label International 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:

Twitter#PLMA

Hall of Fame – Class of 2025 Nominations are Closing in 48 hours
PLMA's 2025 Private Label Report
Elevate your private label expertise: Join PLMA’s Executive Education Programme!
EEP Logo

In today’s competitive marketplace, private labels have become defining assets for retailers worldwide. But managing private labels effectively requires a specialized skill set—one that’s often overlooked in traditional business training. That’s where PLMA’s Executive Education Programme comes in. Taking place on 5-6 March 2025 at Nyenrode Business University near Amsterdam, this exclusive event offers a deep dive into the strategies and insights you need to excel in the private label industry.

Whether you’re a retailer, manufacturer, or executive involved in private labels, this programme is tailored for you. Here’s what you’ll gain:
•    Comprehensive Expertise: Learn about new product development, retail trends, private label strategy, retailer-manufacturer dynamics, logistics, NPD, sourcing, ESG, and marketing.
•    Actionable Insights: Explore retail case studies and get practical takeaways from experts that you can immediately apply to your business.
•    Collaborative Learning: Engage with like-minded professionals and leading speakers in interactive sessions that foster knowledge-sharing and innovation.

Private label success hinges on the unique collaboration between retailers and suppliers. This programme is designed to accelerate your understanding of private branding and provide you with the tools to succeed in this dynamic sector. Through thought-provoking lectures and engaging workshops, you’ll be equipped with cutting-edge strategies and solutions tailored for today’s market demands.

Stay ahead in the private label industry with PLMA’s Executive Education Programme—the go-to resource for retailers and suppliers seeking to sharpen their skills and grow their businesses. Check the curriculum and reserve your spot today here.

Nominations Are Open for the 2025 Private Label Hall of Fame
2025 HOF
Hall of Fame

NEW YORK (January 21, 2025) - PLMA has announced that nominations are now being accepted for the Private Label Hall of Fame, Class of 2025.

The nomination period will be open until February 7 at plma.com. Click here to nominate a candidate.

Presented by PLMA and Store Brands, the prestigious Hall of Fame was created by PLMA in 2006 to honor and celebrate distinguished members of the private label industry for their achievements and contributions.

“We look forward to receiving nominations for the Private Label Hall of Fame, Class of 2025,” said PLMA President Peggy Davies. “If you know someone who should be recognized for their time, talent and accomplishments, now is the time to submit a ballot."

Individuals will be recognized in four categories: Lifetime Achievement, Private Brand Champion, Private Brand Innovator, and Next Gen Private Label Leader.

Eligible candidates include retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, the trade press, market researchers, consultants and others who have contributed to the growth and development of the private label industry.

The Hall of Fame currently has more than 100 inductees. Nominees selected for the Class of 2025 will be notified by the end of February and inducted at PLMA’s Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference in Scottsdale in April.

Profiles on all inductees will be featured on StoreBrands.com, and posted in the Hall of Fame section of plma.com. 

PLMA's 2025 Private Label Trade Show, Nov. 16-18

PLMA’s 2025 Annual Private Label Trade Show will be held November 16-18 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Chicago.

The event has consistently received a prestigious Gold 100 ranking as a top U.S. trade show.

The show floor will feature the latest innovations in foods, beverages, flavors, ingredients, authentic international foods and nonfoods, refrigerated and frozen foods, sustainable packaging, pet care and foods, self-care, baby care, household goods, general merchandise, and much more.

The Show also features opening seminars, a retail trends breakfast, engaging networking events and informational displays.