Store Brands are Expanding into New Categories, New Chains, and New Channels

A phenomenon can be a one-time occurrence, something remarkable or mysterious. The phenomenon of store brands, however, is no singular or unexplainable event. In fact, store brands have been around for decades and have grown into a $220 billion industry. It’s ever growing and changing, penetrating into more and more new categories, and expanding across multiple channels and virtual platforms to become a powerful retail tool to build consumer loyalty and bolster the bottom line for companies.

Consumers are being swept up in the phenomenon, too. Store brands accounted for nearly 30% of all new dollar sales flowing into the U.S. retailing industry last year. Quality, innovation, and value are the fundamentals of why today’s shoppers continue to trust and fill their carts with store brands. This robust industry offers a combination of not only what a family needs but what they want in products that are socially and environmentally aware and support their desire for an overall healthier lifestyle.

Manufacturers and retailers are listening to those consumers. In partnership, they introduce value brands consumers can rely on as well as premium items and exclusive product offerings as a differentiator in today’s competitive retail market. This symbiotic phenomenon is key for the industry. Being able to easily pivot with changing consumer and product trends or surmount logistical challenges keeps the industry on the cutting edge of development and consistently provides retailers an assortment of products.

Experience the Phenomenon

With over 2,500 exhibit booths and more than 5,000 visitors, PLMA’s 2023 Annual Private Label Trade Show is at the center of the phenomenon. 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, packaging and supplier trends in the private label industry.

The show floor is segmented to maximize efficiency for buyers. The South Hall is devoted to health and wellness, beauty, self-care, cosmetics, household, kitchenware and general merchandise. Food, snacks, beverages, dairy, refrigerated and frozen products are in the North and Sky Halls and also included in the South Hall.

The Food and Beverage Phenomenon

The exhibit floor at PLMA’s 2023 Annual Private Label Trade Show is akin to the aisles of your local supermar ket, drug chain or mass merchandiser. Nearly every major category is on display for the thousands of visitors and buyers. With more than $115 billion in sales in the U.S., and up 32% over the previous year, it’s no surprise food and beverages are among the major highlights at the show and the fastest growing phenomenon in store brands.

Buyers visiting the show can taste, touch, and experience the latest trends and store brand product innovation in the industry. Some key categories and trends buyers will be looking for at the show include:

Children’s Food and Snacks category has exploded with health and socially conscious parents seeking nutritious yet kid-pleasing snacks and meals. Award-winning private label snacks including chips made with organic seaweed, brain-boosting veggies molded into toddler-sized puffs, organic snack bars and clean-label, sustainable drinks are just a few of the popular products trending not only with parents but with kids, too.

Plant-based, Healthy and Dietary conscious food and beverages in a wide range of categories is what consumers have come to expect from their local retailer. Whether it’s high-protein or low-sugar snacks, legume pasta, vegan entrees, plant-based meat products or healthy and functional drinks, shoppers are looking for a variety of options.

Wines and Spirits – including alcohol-free – is growing in popularity among adult consumers. From cabernet wine to ready-to-drink ‘mocktails’, retailers own brands spirits and cocktail mixes in creative packaging are increasingly in demand at club and warehouse stores, discounters, and other traditional retail outlets.

Flavors and Ingredients are evolving with American consumers’ healthier mindset and more global demographics. The combination of regional, international, and exotic flavors is becoming common place on retailers’ shelves along with plant-based and wellness-promoting ingredients included in products such as pasta, snacks and nutritional supplements.

Pet Foods and Treats is a $4.5 billion private label category that has clearly expanded beyond the basics over the past few years. The category has grown to include such things as meals designed for aging pets, hip and joint treats, pet-friendly bone broth, eco-conscious chews, supplements with wellness attributes, training treats and toys for dogs, cats and other creatures.

Foodservice and Restaurant quality meals is a growing category as consumers continue to look for convenience with freshprepared, deli and upscale prepared meal options. The post-pandemic consumer demand for food service is surging as they seek restaurant quality meals without the price tag of dining out. With today’s shoppers putting more focus on meal planning options, supermarkets, wholesale clubs and other retail vendors are increasingly relying on private label options to keep pace with this growing trend.

Facts for Exhibitors

Show Location

PLMA’s 2023 Private Label Trade Show will be held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, only 10 minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Conveniently located within walking distance or short shuttle bus rides from major hotels, the convention center provides exhibitors with an easy-to-reach, efficient venue for trade shows.

Trade Show Schedule

November 13

14

15

Booth Assignments

The trade show floor is divided into separate halls for food and beverage, and home and health. All booth assignments are on a first-come, first-served basis in order of receipt of application and payment, product eligibility and availability of space. Show floor halls and configuration are subject to modifications as needed.

Official Program Guide

PLMA exhibitors receive a complimentary listing in the Official Program Guide which includes company name, address, phone, website, email, product lines and exhibitor personnel. Advertising space is also available for companies who wish to promote their booth location or products.

Preliminary Retail and Wholesale Registration List

Exhibitors receive a preliminary retailer and wholesaler list 30 days prior to the show to help arrange appointments in advance.

Online Show Navigator

PLMA’s online Show Navigator provides category-by-category listings of exhibitors including full contact details and is made available to all registered retail and wholesale visitors 30 days prior to the show to help them identify exhibitors that they want to visit. In their online listings, exhibitors can announce their new products, upload pictures and highlight their standard company listings by ordering online advertising space. PLMA regularly updates the online Show Navigator to include the latest exhibitor additions and updates. Onsite, the online Show Navigator is mobile-friendly and accessible to all exhibitors and visitors.

PLMA Matchmaker™

PLMA Matchmaker helps retailers and wholesalers arrange appointments with exhibitors prior to the show. Exhibitors receive secure access codes prior to the show in order to participate.

Seminar Program

To help show attendees learn about the latest industry trends, PLMA offers a special seminar and speakers program. This includes Sunday seminars and workshops, the Monday Keynote Breakfast and the Tuesday Trends Breakfast. Consult the Official Program Guide, Online Show Navigator or plma.com for this year’s presentations.

Exhibit Rates

The cost of exhibiting at PLMA’s 2023 Private Label Trade Show is low, too. Choose from a variety of in-line or island configurations. This year’s member rates are:

1 booth (10’ x 10’) $ 3,000*

2 booths (20’ x 10’) $ 4,500

3 booths (30’ x 10’) $ 6,000

4 booths (40’ x 10’) $ 7,500

4-unit island (20’ x 20’) $ 8,000

6-unit island (30’ x 20’) $ 10,000

8-unit island (40’ x 20’) $ 12,000

10-unit island (50’ x 20’) $ 15,000

12-unit island (30’ x 40’) $ 18,000

16-unit island (40’ x 40’) $ 21,000

20-unit island (50’ x 40’) $ 25,000

*Single unit price increases to $3,500 after Sept. 8.

†Non-members add surcharge based on maximum membership dues.