News Update
AMSTERDAM (23 May 2023) - With major interest from all over the world, the private label industry gathers today for the first day of PLMA’s “World of Private Label” International Trade Show at the RAI in Amsterdam. The trade show floor is open today and tomorrow.
More than 30,000 professionals from 125 countries, including suppliers, retailers and wholesalers, will discover new products, make new business contacts, share ideas, and strengthen business relations.
“The interest from over 2,600 exhibitors and 15,000 registered visitors is tremendous,” said PLMA President Peggy Davies. “We are proud that PLMA’s annual International Private Label Trade Show is the place for new business opportunities in food and non-food categories to be explored and for current partnerships to grow and expand.”
Before diving into the buzz of the trade show and two days of business meetings, pre-show presentations were held yesterday, 22 May. The highlight was a keynote presentation from Arjan Both, Walmart’s Senior Vice President of Food Sourcing.
Other presenters yesterday were Servé Muijres, Retail Consultant Shopper, GfK Netherlands; and Kayleigh Meister, Analytical Team Lead, NielsenIQ.
On the show floor today and tomorrow, buyers will see the latest innovations in fresh, frozen and refrigerated foods, dry grocery, and beverages, as well as non-food categories, including cosmetics, health and beauty, household and kitchen, auto aftercare, garden, housewares and DIY, plus much more.
For more information or to arrange an interview with Peggy Davies, President of PLMA, contact Leonique White, Director Trade & Retail Relations at Telephone: +31 20 5753032 or email: white@plma.nl.
Sustainability, quality, and affordability are the leading trends of PLMA’s 2023 International Salute to Excellence Awards.
AMSTERDAM (2023) - 39 retailers from 20 countries honoured for innovation, NPD, and quality in private label.
Retailers in Germany and Italy were honoured with 15 awards, followed by the retailers in The Netherlands, 12 awards. Retailers in Denmark were given eight awards, while retailers in Ireland and Spain walked away with seven awards each. Retailers in France received six awards. The other 31 awards were divided between retailers from Portugal, United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Turkey, China, and South Africa.
An international panel of judges - including former retailers, chefs, marketing professionals, nutritionists, and journalists - evaluated 525 submitted products introduced in the past year by 64 retailers in 20 countries. The judges selected 101 food and non-food winning products.
“Sustainability is an important trend driven by retailers; and private label is really taking action,” one of the judges said.
Along with sustainability, a common theme among the winners is high-quality, yet affordable products - a clear response to the needs of their retail customers.
“The submissions emphasize affordability without compromising on quality,” said PLMA President Peggy Davies. “For instance, organic foods were presented at non-organic prices, making organic more accessible for all wallets.”
And the winners are…
In Germany, REWE Group, including Penny, earned seven awards, including three for vegan food products. German drugstore chain Dirk Rossmann received six awards in baby, health & beauty non-food categories. In Italy, Md S.p.A received six awards for its authentic Italian food range with a story, while Coop Italia earned four awards in total among others for innovative savoury spread.
ALDI in the Netherlands honoured for indulgence and A.S.Watson, owner of the drugstore chain Kruidvat, recognized in personal care categories, each received five awards. Musgrave Retail Partners in Ireland was recognized with seven awards for its premium food range in food for the family food categories.
In France, Carrefour for its solid beauty, Auchan for its innovation in household cleaning, and Monoprix for plant-based fresh salad, divided the awards among each other. The seven awards given to retailers in Spain were shared by EROSKI and Consum for, among others, Mediterranean food products. The five awards in Turkey were given to CarrefourSA for organic food products and Migros Ticaret in wellness categories. In the U.K., Marks & Spencer won three awards, all for sustainable non-food products. In South Africa Woolworths walked away with five awards for, among others, its innovative pet products.
In food categories, winning products include Coop Norway’s interesting Mac'n Cheese Fish Burger; Crai’s exciting La Rosa dei Gusti Anchovies in Vermouth; Eroski’s pizza dough ball as an easy and convenient solution; ALDI’s Excellence Mini Black Angus Beefburger; and Modelo Continente Hypermercados lower calories spelt pancakes with banana.
In non-food and near non-food categories, winning products include Dirk Rossmann’s interesting Babydream nail file ring; Axfood’s sustainable dish wash cleaner with a fresh scent of rhubarb; EVA’s convenient About Face cleansing balls; Etos vegan sugar-free protein shake; SHIZU’s steamed hot relaxing eye pads; and Woolworths frozen strawberry flavoured yoghurt for Dogs.
All retail winners in alphabetical order are: A.S. Watson Benelux (The Netherlands); ALDI (Belgium); ALDI (The Netherlands); Auchan (France); Axfood/Dagab Purchasing & Logistics (Sweden); Carrefour (France); CarrefourSA (Turkey); Consum Coop.V. (Spain); Coop (Denmark); Coop Italia (Italy); COOP Jednota (Slovakia); Coop Norge SA (Norway); Coop Trading (Denmark); CRAI Secom (Italy); Dagrofa (Denmark); Despar (Italy); Dirk Rossmann (Germany); EROSKI (Spain); Etos (The Netherlands); EVA (RUSH LLC) (Ukraine); GLOBUS Markthallen Holding (Germany); Hangzhou Miaomanfen E-commerce (China); Marks & Spencer (United Kingdom); MD S.p.A. (Italy); METRO Commerce Group (China); Migros Ticaret A.Ş. (Turkey); Modelo Continente Hipermercados, SA (Portugal); Monoprix (France); Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland (Ireland); Penny (Germany); Pingo Doce Distribuição Alimentar (Portugal); REMA 1000 (Denmark); REMA 1000 (Norway); REWE Group (Germany); Rohlik Group (Czech Republic); Salling Group (Denmark); SHIZU Group (China); SOK (Finland), Sopharma Trading (Bulgaria); Vega Società Cooperativa (Italy); and Woolworths (South Africa).
Take-aways from this year’s competition:
- Sustainability is a continued priority and high on the agenda. In non-food, 100% recyclable and recycled materials, including triggers, are prevailing; that includes eco-friendly content. A common claim is the use of monomaterials and the reduction of plastic/packaging, thus saving tons/kilos of packaging material. Some products claimed the use of paper with great barrier properties, making it suitable for more products in food and non-food.
- PL seems to be filling up real niches: such as after-tattoo healing cream, pigment spots brightener, simple footwarmers, laundry detergent for white clothing on low temperature washing programmes, novelties in feminine hygiene and humanization in petfood.
- Healthy indulgence, local sourcing and creative production processes using sea water.
- Authentic products with DOP/PGI claim, ingredients with DOP/PGI and products with a story.
- New flavours and developments like pumpkin spice smoothie, alcohol-free mojito, frozen Greek yogurt, dried truffle pasta, anchovies spread, low carb crackers, chocolate with cappuccino crunch, candy rolls with strawberry cheesecake flavour, pint of cannolo ice cream.
- Plant-based solutions in food are growing and offer high quality and interesting flavours and combinations like plant-based currywurst and plant-based salmon.
“The best-of-the-best in innovation, concept and quality in private label was brought to the table,” said Leonique White, PLMA’s Director of Trade & Retail Relations. “It’s amazing to see what retailers and their suppliers developed in the past year.”
PLMA’s International “Salute to Excellence” Awards were established in 2014. To see all laureates of PLMA’s 2023 International Salute to Excellence Awards visit PLMA’s Idea Supermarket area at “World of Private Label” trade show or go to www.plmasalute.com.
- Editor’s Note: To download the winning product pictures, go to www.plmasalute.com.
- For more information contact Leonique white at white@plma.nl or call +31 20 5753032
AMSTERDAM (May 2023) - PLMA announces that Arjan Both, Walmart’s Senior Vice President of Food Sourcing, will be the keynote speaker at the 2023 “World of Private Label” International Trade Show next month at the RAI Exhibition Centre in Amsterdam.
Arjan Both will speak on 22 May about opportunities in global sourcing and international negotiations. His presentation is part of the pre-show seminar programme that will be held one day before the opening of the 23-24 May international trade show.
Other presenters at the pre-show seminars are:
- Servé Muijres, Retail Consultant Shopper, GfK Netherlands. Muijres will speak about “Behavior Changes of FMCG Shoppers in Challenging Times: Insight in Consumer Attitudes and the Implications for Private Label Retailers and Manufacturers.”
- Kayleigh Meister, Analytical Team Lead, NielsenIQ. Meister will discuss the “Current Outlook of European Private Label Trends: The Latest Update of the Country-by-Country Market Share Data and Trends.”
Admission to the seminars is complimentary to all registered visitors and exhibitors in possession of a valid "World of Private Label" entrance badge.
Also on 22 May, the winners of PLMA’s 2023 International Salute to Excellence Awards will be announced. The awards honour retailers for innovation and quality in private label products and packaging. More than 100 award-winning products representing 56 food categories and 34 non-food categories will be recognized.
“PLMA is proud to offer a comprehensive pre-show programme to give attendees a clear understanding of product and consumer trends that will drive the private label business forward,” said PLMA President Peggy Davies.
PLMA’s 2023 “World of Private Label” International Trade Show is the world’s largest private label event, featuring more than 2,600 exhibiting manufacturers from 70 countries, including 1,000+ exhibitors of sustainable products and 60 national and regional pavilions. PLMA is thrilled to welcome many first-time exhibitors from countries including Argentine, New Zealand and Singapore, as well as a new country pavilion from Costa Rica.
More than 500 products will be on display in the New Product Expo, along with 60+ private label ranges from retailers across the world in the PLMA Idea Supermarket®.
Products on display will include fresh, frozen and refrigerated foods, dry grocery, and beverages, as well as non-food categories, including cosmetics, health and beauty, household and kitchen, auto aftercare, garden, housewares and DIY. The show floor is divided into separate food and non-food halls to help visitors make the most of their time.
The show will draw more than 15,000 visitors from over 120 countries.
For more than 35 years, PLMA’s annual “World of Private Label” International Trade Show has brought retailers 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. This year’s show comes at a time when private label accounts for more than 40% of all products sold in seven European countries and for more than 30% in another nine countries in Europe.
2,500+ exhibitors, New Product Expo, Seminars, Retailer Awards and More
AMSTERDAM (27 March, 2023) - PLMA’s 2023 “World of Private Label” International Trade Show - the world’s largest private label event - will feature more than 2,500 exhibiting manufacturers from 70 countries, including 1,000+ exhibitors of sustainable products and 60 national and regional pavilions. This global event takes place 23-24 May at the RAI Amsterdam Exhibition Centre.
More than 500 products will be on display in the New Product Expo, along with 60+ private label ranges from retailers across the world in the PLMA Idea Supermarket®.
Another highlight is PLMA’s International Salute to Excellence Awards, which honor retailers for excellence in private label food, and non-food products and packaging. More than 100 winners will be announced at the show.
“This high-impact global event will feature a dynamic two days of buying, sourcing, learning and networking,” said PLMA President Peggy Davies. “The innovation unveiled at the event will strengthen the already booming private label industry.”
Products on display will include fresh, frozen and refrigerated foods, dry grocery, and beverages, as well as non-food categories, including cosmetics, health and beauty, household and kitchen, auto aftercare, garden, housewares and DIY. The show floor is divided into separate food and non-food halls to help visitors make the most of their time.
The show is truly an international event, drawing more than 15,000 visitors from over 120 countries.
“There’s remarkable global interest in this show. Along with Europe, we see growing interest from Asia, as well as the Americas,” said Jan van Lier, PLMA’s International Show Director.
The event also will present free educational seminars, including a presentation from NielsenIQ on the latest private label sales data and trends.
For more than 35 years, PLMA’s annual “World of Private Label” International Trade Show has brought retailers 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. This year’s show comes at a time when private label accounts for more than 40% of all products sold in seven European countries and for more than 30% in another nine countries in Europe.
Amsterdam, February 2023 – After two years online, PLMA’s Annual Roundtable Conference returns in-person with a full schedule of outstanding industry professionals, announced PLMA International Council. Join the conference at the Hilton Hotel in Rotterdam, the Netherlands on 8 and 9 March.
The first day of the conference, 8 March, will start in the afternoon with lunch and a presentation of the Dutch Retail Landscape followed by a store tour to see the latest store concepts of interesting retailers as well as different store formats. To close off day 1 of the conference, PLMA organises a networking reception for all registered attendees at the Hilton Hotel Rotterdam to give them the opportunity to connect with likeminded international professionals.
On 9 March the following key-note speakers are lined up:
• Paul Earnshaw who is Senior Packaging Manager at Tesco PLC has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of packaging and an exceptional understanding of packaging materials and processes. He developed Tesco’s strategy for sustainable packaging, including the creation of preferred materials and formats guidelines. Paul will give Tesco’s view on how to deliver true sustainable packaging and why it is important to Tesco. He will also introduce the preferred approach to packaging materials and formats for optimising durable packaging for the retail industry.
• Business Insights Leader at EY and co-writer of the Future Consumer Index – Andrew Cosgrove, brings 20 years of experience in the industry and is often quoted in publications like the Financial Times and Wall Street Journal for his perspective on the market. He will give you tools to “Prepare your Business for the Consumer of tomorrow” by identifying 5 different consumer types and drivers that motivate them.
• Petr Chvojka, Group Head of Private Label at Czech e-grocery retailer Rohlik Group is responsible for building a new private label department at the group and will share his insights into the expansion plans, the challenges and the opportunities of online retailing for private label. Furthermore, he will address the differences and similarities between brick and mortar and online retailing in view of brand architecture and strategy.
• To better understand discounters, Ray Gaul, CEO of Retail Cities will reveal the do’s and don’ts when working with Europe’s International Discounters and what to look out for in 2023. He will explain the meaning of reflective Private Label and incandescent Private Label.
• Ayisha Koyenikan, Associate Director Food & Drink at Mintel, gained her broad experience in product development, innovation and food trend analyses while working for various retailers in the UK. She will address how Private Label is getting Ready for the Future and the current opportunities for private labels to grow.
For more information or to register click here!
AMSTERDAM, 31 May - The world’s largest private label exhibition opens today at the RAI Exhibition Centre in Amsterdam. PLMA’s “World of Private Label” International Trade Show is back in full force, with more than 14.000 buyers and visitors from 120 countries attending the two-day event.
On Monday 30 May, a pre-show seminar programme opened with the announcement of the winners of PLMA’s 2022 International “Salute to Excellence” Awards, which recognise innovation and quality in private label. More than 500 food, wine and non-food products from 55 retailers in 20 countries were considered for Awards.
Also at the seminar, Judith Kolenburg, Managing Editor, PLMALive.eu, presented highlights of PLMA’s new international survey on the post-pandemic consumer, Will Europeans Ever Shop the Same?; Sebastiaan Buchholtz, Senior Analytical Consultant, NielsenIQ, provided an overview of private label trends and market shares in Europe; and Francois Videlaine and Sebastian Gatzer, Partners at McKinsey & Company, presented a comprehensive view on European grocery retail in 2022 and beyond.
On the trade show floor there are 2500 exhibiting companies from over 70 countries including 60 national and regional pavilions. The exhibition area covers nearly 42,000m2 and 15 exhibit halls in RAI Centre. Products on display on the show floor include fresh, frozen and refrigerated foods, dry grocery, and beverages as well as non-food categories, including cosmetics, health and beauty, household and kitchen, auto aftercare, garden, and housewares and DIY.
A special attraction is PLMA’s “Idea Supermarket” area, where attendees can see displays of the private label products selected as winners of this year’s International “Salute to Excellence Awards”. The Idea Supermarket also displays private label products that exemplify important consumer trends from retailers in Europe, United States and Asia. At the same area, more products, as submitted by exhibitors, can be seen at The New Product Expo, displaying more than 600 new private label products and packaging selected for their innovation and originality.
The theme of this year’s Show is Connect. Source. Grow. explains Peggy Davies, President of PLMA, “Business is all about connections, and private label is no different. With connections, manufacturers can operate their companies and present their private label offers. With the offerings from exhibitors, retailers and wholesalers can source for products for their private label ranges. With connections, manufacturers, retailers, and wholesalers can grow.”
AMSTERDAM - 30 May 2022 - Sustainable products dominated the list of retailers that won a 2022 International “Salute to Excellence” Award from PLMA for innovation and quality in private label food, wine and non-food.
“The large number of sustainable and environmentally friendly products demonstrate the commitment of retailers to a greener planet,” said Peggy Davies, president of the Private Label Manufacturers Association.
The 78 award-winning food and non-food products were selected by international panels of judges, including former retailers, chefs, nutritionists and journalists.
Nearly 450 products introduced in the past year by 51 retailers in 20 countries were submitted for consideration.
Along with sustainability, other trends include:
- Focus on a safer and healthier lifestyle that responds to the consumer’s wish to "Keep me and my family safe and healthy in the future".
- High quality Plant-based foods
- Foods from local farmers
- Indulgent desserts
- New flavours like muesli popcorn salted caramel and fermented black garlic.
Of the 78 awards, 27 awards went to retailers in Germany (14) and Italy (13). France and The Netherlands each won eight awards. The other 35 awards were divided between retailers from Ireland, Scandinavia, Iberian Peninsula, Turkey, South Africa and China.
German drugstore chain Dirk Rossmann received the most awards of any retailer, with seven awards for its innovation in food and non-food. It was followed by Monoprix from France, Aldi from The Netherlands, Musgrave Retail Partners from Ireland and Woolworths from South Africa all walked away with five awards each. MD Stores in Italy, EROSKI in Spain, Globus Markthallen in Germany and Carrefour in Turkey were honoured with four awards each.
In the Food category, winning products included Axfood’s Garant Pasta Sauce with Grana Padano and Lemon; EROSKI’s Fresh Gourmet Salad with fresh compartments; Monoprix’s Gourmet Foie Gras de Canard; Modelo Continente Hipermercados’s Continente Bio Raspberry Kombucha; Aldi Netherlands Schultenbräu IPA beer; and Rema 1000 Denmark crooked mini Spring Rolls with vegetables.
In the Non-Food category, winning products included Dirk Rossmann’s Eco Freude refill cleaning concentrates; Monoprix’s Washable and Reusable Double-Sided Make-up Remover Pads; A.S. Watson Benelux Kruidvat Natures Conditioner Solid Bar; Auchan organic and natural children’s toothpaste and Woolworths Earth Friendly Coco Scrubber.
International “Salute to Excellence Wine Awards”
In addition to food and non-food, the International Salute to Excellence Awards featured private label wines. More than 80 wines from 13 retailers in seven countries were considered. Wines were judged by varietal, style, and appellation for best quality and best value in 16 categories. A special mention was awarded for innovative packaging.
The judges included a Master of Wine, sommeliers, wine writers and retail industry professionals.
Dutch retailers earned 18 wine awards in total. Italy and Spain ranked second with five awards each; and Portugal was recognized three times. Denmark, which participated in the competition for the first time, earned a “best quality” award in French & German Reds for Dagrofa’s La Croix Jocas 6.0 Ventoux A.O.P. 2016.
Among the winners:
- Aldi from the Netherlands won an award for Best Value in the Verdejo category for its Valdechimoza Rueda D.O. Verdejo 2021.
- Metro from Germany was awarded Best Quality in the Rosé category for its Casalina di Siziano Nero d’Avola Rosato Sicilia D.O.C. 2021.
- Despar from Italy ranked first in Best Quality in Organic Wines for its Conte del Doss Franciacorta D.O.C. Pas Dosé Biologico.
- Albert Heijn from the Netherlands was recognized for Best Quality and Best Value in the “No or Low-Alcohol” category for its Free Feather Alcoholvrij Chardonnay.
- An innovative packaging award was awarded to Hema from The Netherlands for its Positive Rosé Wine Umbria I.G.T. 2021 & Positive White Wine Umbria I.G.T. 2021.
“I congratulate all the retailers that participated in this year’s award programme,” said Davies. “These awards prove that private label is leading the retail industry and giving shoppers the high-quality, high-value and great-tasting products they want.”
PLMA’s International “Salute to Excellence” Awards were established in 2014. For the full list of winners and to download photos, visit www.plmasalute.com.
The new International Consumer Survey, conducted by SurveyLab exclusively for PLMA, will focus on the post-pandemic grocery shopping behaviour.
Amsterdam – The importance and growing popularity of private label is at the forefront at PLMA’s 2022 “World of Private Label” International Trade show, which will take place on 31 May and 1 June at the RAI Exhibition Centre in Amsterdam.
On Monday 30 May at the Forum Centre of the RAI Exhibition Centre PLMA’s 2022 International Salute to Excellence Awards will be revealed. The awards honour retailers for excellence in products and packaging, introduced within the past year, in private label wine, food and non-food products and packaging.
The seminar programme is open to all registered visitors and exhibitors. PLMA will reveal the results of a recent consumer survey conducted exclusively for PLMA by SurveyLab. 6450 consumers from 8 countries including United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, Sweden and The Netherlands were asked about their buying behaviour, before and after the pandemic. The outcome provides insight in shopping activities and attitude towards brands and products, which may contribute to new insight for manufacturers and retailers alike as they focus on private label strategic development.
Tom Penninckx, Client Business Partner at NielsenIQ, will give an overview of the latest country-by-country market share data and trends of the past year. A presentation on “State of Grocery in Europe: Navigating the Market Headwinds”, with new insights and perspectives that will likely shape European grocery retail in 2022 and beyond, will be given by Francois Videlaine and Sebastian Gatzer, Partners at McKinsey & Company.
On the show floor, nearly 2500 exhibitors from 70 countries will display their latest and innovative private label products. More than 40% of exhibitors offer products with a sustainable claim whether in packaging material, ingredients or sourcing. In addition, more than 30% of exhibitors offer private label products with a free from claim and/or special dietary needs and lifestyles e.g. gluten free and lactose free, kosher, halal, no sugar, vegetarian and vegan. The show is fully set to reflect this year’s theme “Connect. Grow. Source.”
A special attraction within the show is PLMA’s Idea Supermarket, where visitors and exhibitors can see the product ranges of more than 60 retailers from around the world, as well as the winning products of PLMA’s 2022 International Salute to Excellence Awards. The Idea Supermarket also accommodates PLMA’s New Product Expo, displaying more than 600 new products presented by exhibitors for the first time.
For more information about PLMA’s 2022 “World of Private Label” International Trade Show, or to arrange an interview with Peggy Davies, President of PLMA, contact PLMA International Council, at telephone: +31 20 5753032 or email: press@plma.nl.