PLMA Announces Theme for Chicago Trade Show

The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) has announced the theme for its upcoming 2022 Chicago trade show. “Consumers Are Back in Charge” is the theme of PLMA’s 2022 Private Label Trade Show, taking place Nov. 13-15 at the Rosemont Convention Center in Chicago.

“It’s a great time to get back to a live show, and it’s a great time to be in the retailer brands business,” said Peggy Davies, PLMA president. “After a difficult two years, American consumers are back in charge. They are more discerning as they shop for new and innovative products that offer on-trend attributes, high quality, and great value. And that spells success for store brands. In fact, whether at brick-and-mortar stores or online, retailer brands are winning big so far this year at checkout.”

Store Brands covered a similar theme with its April 27 Industry Forum event, which focused on consumer trends. The event can be viewed on-demand here.

The theme announcement comes as private brands have seen strong growth as inflation continues to impact how consumers shop for groceries. According to data provided to PLMA by IRI, over the first five months of 2022, retailer brands have increased 7.8% in dollar sales vs. the same period a year ago, compared to national brands rising 5%.

In May, dollar sales grew 8.7%; in April, +9.5%; March, +8.9%; in February, +6.8%; and in January, +5%. Store brands also outpaced national brands in terms of unit sales. ​​

During the month of May alone, 14 of the 17 food and non-food departments that IRI tracked for PLMA showed store brand dollar growth, with double-digit gains in deli prepared foods, beverages, bakery, produce, liquor, refrigerated and deli meat. Floral, general food, frozen, meat, general merchandise, health, and beauty also advanced. 

Davies cited the success of PLMA’s 2022 “World of Private Label” International Trade Show, held May 31- June 1 in Amsterdam, as a positive sign for the Chicago event. 

“It was a record-setting show. We had about 4,300 exhibit stands and 15,000 visitors altogether, including some 4,000 retailers. But more than the numbers,” she said. “The enthusiasm and the buzz generated on the trade show floor as colleagues were able to gather in-person for the first time in three years was very gratifying. I have every reason to believe that the same spirit will be present in November. Whether you are a small- or medium-sized independent company or part of a large, multi-national manufacturing organization, the PLMA Show can connect you with key retail executives who are responsible for their chain’s store brand purchasing,” 

The Chicago show is expected to attract more than 5,000 visitors from major supermarkets, supercenters, wholesale clubs, drug chains, mass merchandisers, specialty chains, dollar stores, e-commerce retailers, importers, exporters, and distributors, among other buyers.  

For more information on the 2022 Private Label Trade Show, visit plma.com.