Innovation in consumer goods is increasingly driven by private label brands, which have the advantage of controlling the entire value chain, allowing them to quickly respond to consumer feedback. Daniel Quinn, Head of Innovation at The Forge, highlights how this flexibility enables private labels to outpace traditional brands.

Quinn highlights the role of generative AI in product development, stressing the need for human judgment to select the best ideas. He also calls for stronger partnerships and transparency between retailers and manufacturers.

A new PLMA study reveals that European retailers and manufacturers are optimistic about private label growth over the next five years, though challenges remain. The survey included over 1,000 executives from 865 companies across 37 countries, highlighting increased collaboration to boost profitability. Judith Kolenburg reports.

Meanwhile, protein products have shifted from niche items for athletes to everyday staples in supermarkets. Hans Kraak explains how the trends reflects evolving consumer attitudes towards health and nutrition, leading to more protein innovations and a broader range of private label offerings. 

The rapidly growing Rohlik Group relies on a simple strategic combination of wide assortment, freshness, great service, sustainability, and value for money.

Petr Chvojka, Group Head of Private Label at Rohlik Group, shares the company's ambitious growth and expansion plans for the next few years. He encourages manufacturers to get ready for the e-food revolution, saying the automation of fulfilment centres and AI optimization will be key factors to success.

Boosting engagement and gathering data have always been the primary functions of loyalty programmes. Judith Kolenburg reports on how retailers are thinking further ahead and combining traditional loyalty cards with digital platforms to enhance the customer experience and drive sales. Carrefour, Delhaize, Lidl, and Aldi are among the retailers profiled. 

In other news, retailers and manufacturers are urging consumers to trust their sense of taste, smell or sight before discarding products that are near or even past their 'best before'-date. Pascal Kuipers examines the latest efforts to combat food waste in grocery retail. 

One of the major challenges of today’s modern leadership is understanding and communicating effectively in a five-generation workplace. 

Karen Green, experienced retail seller and buyer, and founder of Buyer-ology®, outlines her matrix and five-stage B-U-Y-E-R process to effectively profile targeted customers and ultimately increase success in selling opportunities.

While European private label manufacturers and retailers operate substantially differently than their US counterparts, some parallels can be made between the two markets.

Jan-Benedict Steenkamp, author and marketing professor at European and American universities, discusses US Walmart's concept and sees opportunities for highly sophisticated European manufacturers in the US market.

More than 31.000 industry professionals gathered to connect, source and grow at PLMA’s 2024 World of Private Label International Trade Show in Amsterdam, 28-29 May.

Join the PLMALive.eu news team for direct-from-the-show-floor reports, including:

- Judith Kolenburg discovering new trends and innovation displayed in the Idea Supermarket;
- Edgar Elzerman walking the trade show floor in search of unique foods and beverages;
- Pascal Kuipers browsing some of the best novelties in the nonfood aisles.

FMCG retailers and brands that map and collect data on their supply chain can use these insights to create change in environmental and social conditions, says Leontien Hasselman-Plugge, CEO of ImpactBuying Group.

Hasselman-Plugge discusses how ImpactBuying helps retailers and manufacturers understand their supply chains, identify risks and make a positive impact on buying.

New and improved plant-based products are some of the trends that stand out among the entries for the 2024 International PLMA Salute to Excellence Awards. 

Judith Kolenburg reports on these and other products evaluated by judges. In the wine category, indigenous grape varieties like Albariño and Verdelho are prominent among the submissions. This demonstrates that retailers are catering to younger, more adventurous generations. 

This year’s winners will be announced and displayed at PLMA’s World of Private Label International Trade Show, 28 and 29 May.

Also, Pascal Kuipers discusses rising cocoa prices. He outlines what’s new in sustainable options, including the launch of cocoa-free chocolate at Rewe, WinWin and Nukoko.