PLMA’s Private Label Trade Show on Nov. 13-15 in Chicago will have a large presence of nonfood suppliers of everyday essentials, such as OTC medicine, baby care, personal care, health and wellness, pet care and household goods.
More than 500 booths devoted to nonfoods will exhibit at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, whose South Hall will be dedicated to nonfood products.
Retail buyers are eager to walk the floor and find new products to meet their shoppers’ needs.
“Private brands at Weis Markets are more important than ever,” said John Evans, director of private brands, HBC, GM and non-foods at Weis Markets, a Sunbury, Pennsylvania-based mid-Atlantic retailer. “With inflation at 40-year highs and prices continuing to rise, our brands are able to help customers take care of their families with great quality products at affordable prices.”
The Private Label Trade Show is the ideal opportunity to discover innovation from existing and new vendors, added Evans. “It is great to be back in-person, as our private brands are in a great position to grow share,” said Evans.
The Private Label Trade Show is the largest event for store brands in North America, featuring nearly 1,400 exhibitors and nearly 2,300 exhibit booths.
Christine Heffernan, SVP, sourcing and supply chain at Topco Associates, said her company looks forward to attending the show and meeting in-person with suppliers. Heffernan represents Topco’s Center Store private brand sourcing program.
“Like many in the industry, we haven’t been able to meet all of the demand our members have been ordering from our current suppliers,” she explained. “So, this is a great opportunity to seek out additional suppliers to fill that void. Quality of product is a key element for a successful private brand program. If I find something I like, I ensure my team stops at the booth to have a conversation about the company’s capabilities.”
Themed “Consumers Are Back in Charge,” the show will feature the latest innovations from exhibitors around the world.
Featured nonfood categories include OTC medicine, baby care, personal care, health and wellness, pet care and household goods, vitamins and supplements, hair care, cosmetics and fragrances, beauty and grooming, first aid, household cleaners, paper and tissue products, wet wipes, kitchenware and general merchandise. The nonfood exhibitors range from small start-up companies to well-established multinational firms.
“Retailers know that, to help them cope with inflation, their consumers are not only turning to store brand food products, but also private brand nonfood items,” said Peggy Davies, president.
Along with nonfoods, categories also include shelf-stable groceries; beverages; fresh, frozen and refrigerated products; organic; foodservice; and health and wellness. The show will have dedicated areas for wine and spirits, plant-based meats and entrees, hemp-derived CBD products and nonfoods.
For additional show information, visit plma.com.
