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"
Record number of international suppliers at PLMA's U.S. Show

Responding to American consumers' increasing appetite for food products featuring ethnic and international ingredients and flavors, PLMA will present retailers with a record 900 suppliers from more than 60 countries at its 2024 Private Label Trade Show, November 17-19, Chicago.

The Show floor will offer 52 country and regional pavilions, another record, from North and South America, Europe and Asia, to enable buyers to source new and innovative products for today’s more discerning shoppers. New pavilions include Morocco, Poland, Vietnam, Portugal and Costa Rica. There are also expanded groups from Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Greece, Guatemala, Italy, Peru, Spain, and Ukraine.

From Nomination to Winner: An Inside Look at PLMA's Salute to Excellence Awards®
Nearly 900 International Suppliers at PLMA Show

In response to soaring demand for global foods and flavors, PLMA has announced that nearly 900 international suppliers and a record 52 country pavilions will be featured at “The Store Brands Phenomenon 2024 - Empowering the Retail Industry” Private Label Trade Show, November 17-19 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Chicago.

Authentic international foods and nonfoods from more than 60 countries will be showcased in the North, South and Sky Halls at the convention center. The globally diverse product assortment includes gourmet and specialty food, ethnic products, authentic flavors, personal care items, household products and unique ingredients from their origin country.

The exhibit floor will include country and regional pavilions from North and South America, Europe and Asia to help buyers to source new and innovative products for today’s global consumer. These include five new pavilions this year:

•    Morocco: Couscous, cotton candy, rice and more will be on display.
•    Poland: Functional beverages, smoothies and vodka.
•    Vietnam: Spices, seasonings, fruit juice and coconut milk.
•    Portugal: Rice-based ready meals.
•    Costa Rica: Frozen and dried pineapple and healthy snacks.

In addition, there will be expanded pavilions from Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Greece, Guatemala, Italy, Peru, Spain, Ukraine, and many other countries and regions.

Watch our news report on the pavilions and international suppliers here:

Among the trends attendees will see this year at booths from international suppliers:

•    Baby diapers/adult incontinence.
•    Personal beauty products, including creams, toners, serums.
•    Convenience foods and snacks with healthy attributes.
•    Wine and spirits from Australia, France, Italy, South Africa, Argentina, Chile and more.
•    Tequila from Mexico.
•    Japanese gin.
•    Non-alcoholic spirits.

Along with food and beverages, there’s a 25% increase in nonfood international booths this year, making it one of the fastest-growing segments of the Show. Nonfood categories include Beauty, Household Cleansers & Detergents, Paper & Plastics, Self-Care & Wellness and Pet Products.

The impressive growth of suppliers from outside the U.S. comes at a time when consumers across generations continue to explore international food and drinks.

“People have been increasingly enjoying international food for several reasons, including cultural exploration, globalization awareness, social media influence, health consciousness and more,” said Enriketa Beluli, Manager of Global Pavilions at PLMA.

"Younger consumers are especially interested in food experimentation. Gen Z and Millennials travel a lot more, which gives them access to global cuisines. They value authentic international products,” Beluli added.

Watch our news report on the pavilions and international suppliers here:

The international suppliers will join 1,000 domestic exhibitors and more than 3,000 booths at the Show, which has consistently received a prestigious Gold 100 ranking as a top U.S. trade show.

Along with international products, exhibitors will showcase the latest innovations in American-made/U.S.-manufactured foods, beverages, flavors, ingredients, refrigerated and frozen foods, sustainable packaging, pet care and foods, self-care, personal beauty, baby care, household goods, wine and spirits, general merchandise, and much more.

Click here for details and registration information.

Record Number of Global Exhibitors Set to Showcase Cutting-Edge Innovations at PLMA Show
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'The Store Brands Phenomenon 2024'' Private Label Trade Show will be held Nov. 17-19 in Chicago

NEW YORK (October 8, 2024) - In response to soaring demand for global foods and flavors, PLMA has announced that more than 800 international suppliers and a record 50+ country pavilions will be featured at “The Store Brands Phenomenon 2024 - Empowering the Retail Industry” Private Label Trade Show, November 17-19 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Chicago.

Authentic international foods and nonfoods from more than 60 countries will be showcased in the North, South and Sky Halls at the convention center. The globally diverse product assortment includes gourmet and specialty food, ethnic products, authentic flavors, personal care items, household products and unique ingredients from their origin country.
The exhibit floor will include a record 50+ country and regional pavilions from North and South America, Europe and Asia to help buyers to source new and innovative products for today’s global consumer. These include five new pavilions this year:

  • Morocco: Couscous, cotton candy, rice and more will be on display.
  • Poland: Functional beverages, smoothies and vodka.
  • Vietnam: Spices, seasonings, fruit juice and coconut milk.
  • Portugal: Rice-based ready meals.
  • Costa Rica: Frozen and dried pineapple and healthy snacks.

In addition, there will be expanded pavilions from Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Greece, Guatemala, Italy, Peru, Spain, Ukraine, and many other countries and regions.

Among the trends attendees will see this year at booths from international suppliers:

  • Baby diapers/adult incontinence.
  • Personal beauty products, including creams, toners, serums.
  • Convenience foods and snacks with healthy attributes.
  • Wine and spirits from Australia, France, Italy, South Africa, Argentina, Chile and more.
  • Tequila from Mexico.
  • Japanese gin.
  • Nonalcoholic spirits.

Along with food and beverages, there’s a 25% increase in nonfood international booths this year, making it one of the fastest-growing segments of the Show. Nonfood categories include Beauty, Household Cleansers & Detergents, Paper & Plastics, Self-Care & Wellness and Pet Products.

The impressive growth of suppliers from outside the U.S. comes at a time when consumers across generations continue to explore international food and drinks.

“People have been increasingly enjoying international food for several reasons, including cultural exploration, globalization awareness, social media influence, health consciousness and more,” said Enriketa Beluli, Manager of Global Pavilions at PLMA.

Younger consumers are especially interested in food experimentation, Beluli noted.

“Gen Z and Gen Y travel a lot more, which gives them access to global cuisines. They value authentic international products,” Beluli added.

Click here to watch our news report on the pavilions and international suppliers.

International suppliers will join nearly 1,800 exhibitors and more than 3,000 booths at the Show, which has consistently received a prestigious Gold 100 ranking as a top U.S. trade show.

Along with international products, exhibitors will showcase the latest innovations in American-made/U.S.-manufactured foods, beverages, flavors, ingredients, refrigerated and frozen foods, sustainable packaging, pet care and foods, self-care, personal beauty, baby care, household goods, wine and spirits, general merchandise, and much more.

Click here for details and registration 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, and on social media:

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: PLMA Gears Up for Sold-Out 2024 Trade Show

PLMA’s Anthony Aloia reveals details about “The Store Brands Phenomenon 2024 – Empowering the Retail Industry” Private Label Trade Show, November 17-19 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Chicago.

Watch our news report here:

NOTABLE QUOTABLE: Jill Sando, Target

“The Cuddle Collab is all about celebrating our pets, and it's a fun way to extend our design expertise to the entire family — pets and the people who love them."

- Jill Sando - Target’s executive vice president and chief merchandising officer of apparel & accessories, home and hardlines - said of the limited-edition The Cuddle Collab collection for pets and pet lovers. Inspired by pet influencers, the line includes matching accessories for dogs, cats and humans; plush toys, treats and home décor.