World of Private Label

“Our trade show has confirmed its status as the world’s foremost private label event,” said PLMA president Peggy Davies, not without a hint of pride. The international PLMA fair, World of Private Label, was staged from 23 to 24 May in Amsterdam and attracted a record number of over 16 000 trade visitors from 120 countries worldwide. “The attendance figures surpassed the records from pre-pandemic shows, confirming that the sector is back in full swing,” added Peggy Davies.

2 650 exhibitors from 72 countries presented thousands of food and non-food items at the show. “Exhibitors reported that the quality of the visitors, as always with the PLMA, was excellent,” stated the organiser’s closing report. One exhibitor was quoted as saying: “If you work in the private label field, you simply must not miss this show.”

The main attractions included the PLMA Idea Supermarket and the New Product Expo, which constituted a central exhibition for innovations in private labels and the development of new products. This area is a key source of information for retailers to pick up new ideas and seek inspiration.

The seminars in the run-up to the fair on 22 May formed the prelude to the event. It is expected that own brands will grow by two to three per cent in Europe this year, with the strongest growth coming in Eastern Europe. “Private labels have built up successful momentum, so it’s therefore time to create a positive connection to their buyers,” said Servé Muijres, retail consultant shopper at GfK. Nielsen IQ also confirmed Europe as the biggest market for private labels with a market share of 34 per cent. Moreover, own labels are gaining further market share in all countries and product categories. Arjan Both, senior vice-president at Walmart Food Sourcing, explained in his keynote talk how the world’s biggest retailer is working on its strategy to create the most reliable and robust supply chain: “We are open to working with European private label suppliers who are known globally and set standards.”

Peggy Davies summarised the trade show thus : “We are proud that the international private label sector recognises the significance of this fair.”

The next World of Private Label will be staged on 28 and 29 May 2024.