World of Private Label virtual connections are live into April 2021

The Private Label Manufacturers Association reported that its first online presentation for its international trade event at the beginning of the month successfully networked retailers and suppliers throughout Europe, coordinating more than 2,500 video calls and exchanging more than 15,000 virtual business cards and connections.

PLMA said in its monthly newsletter that the platform is continuing to operate for buyers and visitors looking to connect and will be running until mid-April 2021.

“Sourcing for products and exchanging messages and virtual business cards can continue,” said Peggy Davies, president of PLMA. “As is demonstrated by the fact that another 1,000 virtual business cards were already exchanged in the first few days after Dec. 4”

The largest trade show, World of Private Label, went digital due to uncertainties around the pandemic. The PLMA is gearing up for another virtual show with Private Label Week, a five-day event beginning Feb. 1, 2021. Anthony Aloia, corporate vice president, PLMA, spoke with Store Brands about how attendees and exhibitors can leverage the event.

During the World of Private Label online show, Nielsen presented that it expects more store brand growth throughout Europe in 2021, especially from hard discount retailers like Aldi and Lidl and their large private label assortments, as reported in the newsletter. It added that Aldi and Lidl opened an average of 5.6 stores a week during 2019, more than double the rate of the previous year.