Private Label Manufacturers Association International Council
Retail alliances in Europe are rapidly evolving as retailers join forces to cut costs and boost bargaining power amid inflation. EMD, AMS, Agecore, and others have seen major membership shifts. Judith Kolenburg reports on this complex landscape.
Meanwhile, Hans Kraak highlights the booming supplements market, warning against misleading health claims and promoting smart fortification strategies that offer real health benefits and brand value.
All this and more in this edition of PLMALive.eu.
Over 32.000 trade professionals – including retailers, exhibitors and other visitors from 125 countries – attended PLMA’s 2025 World of Private Label in Amsterdam, 20-21 May. With 3.150+ exhibitors from 75 countries, the show spotlighted innovations in nutrition, sustainability, and premium products.
Retailers and manufacturers are rethinking how to grow in today’s evolving market. Lauren Fernandes, Vice President of Global Thought Leadership at NielsenIQ, discusses how industry partners can collaborate rather than compete to unlock consumer spending and drive category growth. NIQ’s 2025 report emphasizes shifting focus from price wars to consumer needs. This involves leveraging unique brand strengths, and using tools like retail media networks to promote strategic cooperation and long-term 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.
Annual private label dollar sales in the U.S. have increased by 34% over the past four years. Judith Kolenburg shares an overview of this diverse and expansive retail market, which promises many opportunities for European players and their expertise on private label.
In other news, Hans Kraak explains the rise and risks of the ketogenic diet, which inspired new product ranges and is expected to reach approximately 18.5 billion euros in value by 2033.
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.