Private label is unique. It is sold everywhere in the world, but carries hundreds of different brands. Sales exceed 45 billion euros, yet most manufacturers are unknown to the public. Representing this diverse industry is the Private Label Manufacturers Association, the only international trade association devoted exclusively to the private label industry.

The centerpiece of the Association’s annual programmes are its trade shows, providing private label manufacturers with unique selling opportunities around the world.

The largest concentration of private label buyers anywhere convenes each year at PLMA’s “World of Private Label” International Trade Show in May in Amsterdam. It includes top decision-makers from supermarkets, hypermarkets, discounters, wholesalers, the co-op’s, drugstores, and department stores. The show presents more than 3,000 exhibit stands from manufacturers from 70 countries.

To reach retailers in America, Canada, Mexico and South America, PLMA also presents the annual U.S. Private Label Trade Show in November each year in Chicago. Buyers represent leading supermarkets, drug chains, mass merchandisers, convenience stores and even military exchanges. With more than 2,000 exhibit booths, it is the largest show of its kind in North America.

While members of the retailing industry obtain general news and information from a variety of sources, members of the private label industry often require far more specific information. PLMA meets that need with a range of publications and periodicals.

  Newsletter
Long recognized as a major source of current information on the private label business, PLMA's international newsletter, E-SCANNER, is published monthly (except in summer) and sent electronically to all members. It contains the latest news about retailing, private label product development, market research, and merchandising trends.

  Studies and Reports
PLMA also regularly commissions studies on market trends and consumer attitudes. PLMA’s MORI report examines shopper attitudes towards retailers and private label in major markets in Europe. It is available free to members.

Since consumer attitudes and behaviour are often difficult to track, PLMA’s market research programmes helps members keep abreast of the latest trends. Prepared exclusively for PLMA by ACNielsen, PLMA’s Annual International Private Label Yearbook contains benchmarking data on value and volume market share for hundreds of product categories across eighteen countries, including United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands and Spain.

Private label is a fast-changing business. New technology means new ways to communicate within the industry as well as new ways to get information out to the public about private label.

Leading the way is PLMA Global, a series of online trade shows which offers retailers access to member manufacturers from all over the world. Shows are organized by category, seasonality, country and service. All exhibitors are automatically listed on PLMA online shows.

Developed in conjunction with Nyenrode Business Universiteit near Amsterdam, PLMA provides comprehensive classes on private label history, marketing, supply chain management, promotion, packaging and legal studies. The programme is also offered in conjunction with the University of Paris Dauphine in French and with SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan in Italian. In the United States, PLMA’s Executive Education works with St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.

PLMA is more than a trade show. Each year, PLMA organizes an annual Roundtable Conference. With speakers from the industry, retailing and press. The Roundtable is devoted to issues which are impacting on private label today and in the future. Site of the conference moves from country to country to give all members equal access to the programme and has included London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Madrid, Milan, among other locations.

An important part of PLMA’s services to members are press relations. PLMA’s Press Update appears online and regularly offers the press the latest information on member manufacturers, based on news releases prepared by the manufacturers themselves. Among the type of information that is covered is new products and services, hirings and promotions, mergers and acquisitions, and new factory locations.

The Association is a non-profit membership organisation with headquarters in New York. PLMA’s International Council is located in Amsterdam. There are also sales and marketing representatives in United Kingdom, France, Germany and Spain. For members in Asia, PLMA maintains an office in Hong Kong.

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