Top retailers slated for Private Label Week keynotes
Kroger’s senior director of its own brands program is one of several retailers slated to speak at the Private Label Manufacturers Association’s upcoming Private Label Week.
Brad Studer, senior director of Kroger’s Our Brands, will present the final keynote on Feb. 5, the last day of the week-long event beginning Feb. 1. Studer’s presentation is titled “Our Brands: the Artful Economics Fueling Our Growth."
He joins keynote presentations from Bill Simon, former president and CEO of Walmart, speaking about private label and the economy; Chad Coester, SVP of Own Brands at Albertsons, presenting on collaboration and innovation; Andrea Collaro, senior director of owned brands in health and wellness, discussing the historical journey of Walgreens’ private brands; and Dr. Nada Sanders, professor of supply chain management at Northeastern University.
Following Studer’s keynote address, Murray Kessler of Perrigo, Steve Oakland of TreeHouse Foods and Rich Koulouris of Vi-Jon will host a “Meet the CEOs” panel.
These educational sessions join nearly 40 others spread throughout the week from interactive recipe sessions to continued speaker presentations to category reports and Salute to Excellence Award programs. The full lineup can be seen here.
In addition to the educational piece of PLMA Live! Presents Private Label Week, the virtual event is bringing retailers and suppliers together in a virtual trade show floor atmosphere to connect and network. Store Brands interviewed PLMA’s Anthony Aloia for in-depth detail on how retailers and manufacturers can leverage the proprietary online networking features being offered at the event such as face-to-face video calls, shared contact information, product and sourcing requirement information and more.
As for the educational sessions, they will be available for live streaming and on-demand viewing. Other industry experts presenting throughout the week include Ken Harris, managing partner, Cadent Consulting Group; Kara Sheesley, Nielsen’s VP of retail services; Heidi Reale, founder, SparkShoppe; and Kantha Shelke, principal, Corvus Blue.
PLMA said there are more than 600 retailers from nearly 300 retail companies currently registered to participate in the all-new digital experience. The Private Label Week platform is open to search for private label products 24/7 and will continue to be accessible to all participants for private label business up to 90 days.
The five-day program breaks down the virtual trade show floor into daily categories: Home and household products are slated for Feb. 1-2; beverages and center store is Feb. 2-3; health and beauty and OTC is Feb. 3-4; the fresh, frozen and refrigerated foods category is Feb. 4-5; and a special show day featuring all categories is set for Feb. 5. For more information and to register, visit PLWEEK.com.