Categorized | Americas, Europe, Events, Features

PLMA US Trade Show Reprises Successful Phenomenon Theme

Posted on 10 May 2024

17 – 19 November 2024, Chicago
Empowering the Retail Industry

The “phenomenon” continues with PLMA’s 2024 US Private Label Trade Show November 17-19 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago where the largest CPG event of its kind will showcase trending and in-demand food and non-food products, elevated flavors, infused fragrances, sustainable packaging, unique ingredients, essential services, and more.

Organizers of “The Store Brands Phenomenon 2024 – Empowering the Retail Industry” are hoping to eclipse last year’s sold-out event — also themed “Phenomenon” — that attracted a record 1,685 exhibitors, as well as 2,740 exhibit stands and more than 13,000 retailers, suppliers, and other visitors. Some 600 exhibitors were new to the PLMA Chicago event, which was 20% larger than the prior year. Non-food exhibitors alone expanded 45%.

The international presence was extraordinary. More than 45% of the Show floor consisted of food and non-food suppliers from outside the U.S. Nearly 60 countries were represented at the Show, including 40 national pavilions.

Not surprisingly, retailers who attended were pleased. In an informal survey conducted by PLMA following the event, 90% said they would recommend attending the Show to a colleague, 97% reported they were able to find new products and suppliers and 92% were able to meet current suppliers. One in three said they attended for the first time in 2023 while half reported they attend regularly.

“We’re seeing the loyalty of the American consumer and the strong growth of the industry continuing not only with mainstream US retailers but with expanding channels, specialty chains and online platforms,” said Anthony Aloia, PLMA’s Corporate Vice President. “The goal of the 2024 US Show is to empower those retailers and thousands of other attendees with the opportunity to taste, touch and experience the latest innovations from global and regional authentic food and non-food product suppliers.”

The demand for store brands in the US has never been greater. The rise of multigenerational households includes store brand friendly Millennials and GenZers. In a 2024 PLMA study, more than half of 1,000 Gen Z shoppers said they “always/ frequently” choose a place to shop due to its store brands, two thirds were “extremely/very” aware of store brands, and two-thirds buy store brands “always/frequently.”

Along with a growing ethnic population and global supply chain issues abating in the US, suppliers of categories in food, beverages, food service, health and beauty, baby care, organics, refrigerated and frozen, household goods, adult care, general merchandise, kitchenware wine and spirits, pet care and specialty and gourmet food stand to benefit by exhibiting in the November Show in Chicago, advised Aloia.

Strong International Presence in Chicago

There’s a lot to discover when your passport gets stamped in Chicago. The store brands phenomenon continues with thousands of authentic, gourmet and specialty products from nearly 60 countries, including 40 national pavilions, spread across three halls at PLMA’s 2024 US Trade Show, 17-19 November at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

Suppliers exhibiting in both pavilions and individual stands will offer innovative and authentic flavors, fragrances and ingredients as well as sustainable, organic and plant-based food and non-food products for buyers from not only traditional retailers, but also specialty chains, discounters, convenience stores and online formats seeking to satisfy the wants and needs of today’s global American consumer.

“This is a multi-billion-dollar industry and PLMA’s US Show offers international suppliers a venue to present the very best in quality and value to retailers who rely on store brands as a strategy for success,” said PLMA President, Peggy Davies. “The goal of the show is to bring together suppliers and retailers and give them the opportunity to network and ultimately, build lasting, global partnerships.”

www.plma.com

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