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Gama spoke to Peggy Davies, PLMA President, ahead of the latest edition of PLMA – World of Private Label.
What are your expectations for this edition of PLMA? What features are there for visitors to look forward to?
With a record breaking 2,800+ exhibitors from 70 countries, at PLMA’s World of Private Label in Amsterdam the industry can expect a variety of trendy products, including free-from alternatives, plant-based meat, sustainable solutions, healthy options, and much more. I highly recommend visiting the Idea Supermarket, where you’ll find a broad showcase of trends, innovations and new product development in private label from the past year, all in one convenient location. I would also highlight our seminar program featuring the latest insights into private label, which we are hosting on Monday 27th May. And, for the first time, we’re introducing three interactive workshops tailored for smaller groups on relevant topics in the industry, complimentary for registered attendees.
I’m looking forward to the dynamics of networking, sourcing, learning, and connecting with industry stakeholders, while exploring the latest products and emerging trends on the trade show floor. The energy of exhibitors and retailers from around the world sharing a common goal of expanding business is tangible.
What steps has the private label sector been taking to build resilience in the face of global instability, price inflation, supply chain challenges, and other headwinds?
In today’s market, consumers are looking for food and non-food products that they can relate to and meet their needs. Whether it’s value, quality, or innovation, consumers expect to find the assortment and their favourite items consistently available. This demand has intensified, especially in light of ongoing economic volatility.
Retailers possess invaluable knowledge about their customers’ preferences and purchasing behaviours. Leveraging this insight is important in building a successful private label portfolio. By offering quality, a diverse range and value-driven products under their own brand, retailers cultivate strong consumer loyalty. Factors like consumer trust, product consistency, agility in responding to evolving trends, innovation, supply chain efficiency and the shifting dynamics of retail are drivers for growth. Regardless of income level, more consumers have embraced private label offerings, recognizing them as the best choice on the shelf.
Today’s broad private label variety has something to offer everyone. Whether you focus on price, gluten-free, environmentally friendly, trendy or exclusive, there’s a great private label product for you.
What other key trends do you expect to shape private label and the consumer goods industry in general in 2024?
Some examples are the noticeable shift towards more indulgent products and premium offerings, such as restaurant-quality ready meals. Furthermore, for adventurous consumers, new flavours and flavour combinations are making their way onto shelves. The increasing demand for non-animal proteins is being met by numerous vegan and vegetarian own label offerings which are, in many cases, obtainable at a price comparable to or even lower than other options. In non-food there is a noticeable expansion into new areas like home and personal care, offering quality products such as sun care, cosmetics, and perfumes. Private label innovation in health, wellness and sustainability which focuses not only on the product but also the packaging as planet friendly, is also part of the criteria. Across a variety of categories, retailers are continuously updating their offerings with attractive packaging to stay competitive.
About PLMA World of Private Label
PLMA’s annual “World of Private Label” International Trade Show is organised by the Private Label Manufacturers Association, which represents more than 4,000 member manufacturers around the globe. For more than 35 years, PLMA’s “World of Private Label” International Trade Show has brought retailers, wholesalers and other private label professionals together with manufacturers to help them find new products, make new contacts, and discover new ideas that will help their private label programmes succeed and grow.
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