The economic context, coupled with the price competition in Europe, which is becoming more intense, has led to an increased focus on private label products, as a means of differentiation among retailers, on the one hand, and a way of attracting shoppers on the other.In trying to set themselves apart from one another, but also to gain grown and market share in order to position themselves ahead of the competition, retailers include private label products more often in their overall business development strategy. The reason, according to the yearly Private Label Manufacturers’ Association event is simple: consumers simply like retailer brands. Moreover, this statement is supported by the recent study conducted by research company Nielsen, which found that perceptions about private label brands are extremely favorable, both in Europe and around the world. This is to say that two out of every three shoppers consider that own brands provide good value for money, and 71% of them believe that private label quality has improved in recent years.
Over 11.000 participantsThis year’s edition of PLMA’s World of Private Label trade show takes place in Amsterdam, on May 19-20, at the RAI Exhibition Center and is expected to attract more than 11.000 buyers from 115 countries, thus making it one of the largest ever. According to the organizers, there will be more than 3500 exhibit stands on the trade show floor, featuring nearly 2.400 exhibitors from 70 countries, including 56 national and regional pavilions.“This year’s trade show is PLMA’s biggest ever and provides a unique opportunity for retailers and manufacturers to work together to capitalize on the growing popularity of private label across Europe,” says Brian Sharoff, PLMA President. “Retailers with a strong private label program can stand out from their competitors,” he adds.
Salute to Excellence AwardsFollowing in the steps of the successful first awards ceremony organized last year, in 2015 one of the highlights of the event will be the announcement of the winners of PLMA’s second annual International Salute to Excellence Awards, which are offered as recognition to outstanding food and non-food private label products, which have been introduced by supermarkets, hypermarkets, discounters, drugstores and specialty stores in the past year.This year, the organizers announced that over 50 Dutch and international retailers submitted over 300 products from 40 different categories, for consideration by an international panel of industry experts, which includes chefs, former retailers, academics, nutritionists and packaging specialists. The award-winning products will be displayed in PLMA’s Idea Supermarket – an area dedicated to innovation, where visitors to the trade fair can also see other products from retailers across Europe, North and South America and Asia.
New Program IntroducedFor the first time this year, the Private Label Manufacturers’ Association decided to hold a new Executive Education program at the RAI Exhibition Center, taking place Monday 18, a day before the trade show opens. The program includes classes dedicated to producers and retailers alike, covering areas such as private label strategy, consumer trends, new product development, packaging, manufacturer-retailer relations. Classes are held by faculty coming both from universities and the industry and registration is required to attend, at education@plma.nl.
Lastly, on Monday 18 in the afternoon, PLMA offers a special seminar program which covers topics important to retailing and private label. Admission to the seminar is complimentary to all registered visitors and exhibitors and the seminars will be presented in the Forumzaal at the RAI Exhibition Center. All presentations are translated into English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
For more information on this year’s edition of PLMA – World of Private Label, please visit the organizers’ website www.plmainternational.com