PLMA News

PLMA's 2023 Trade Show to Hail 'The Store Brands Phenomenon'

The largest event for store brands in North America is set for November 12-14 in Chicago

NEW YORK (April 24, 2023) - At a time when store brands have grown to become a $230 billion industry in the U.S., PLMA has announced a fitting theme for its 2023 Private Label Trade Show: “The Store Brands Phenomenon.”

The show will be held November 12-14 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago.

"'The Store Brands Phenomenon' theme is appropriate in many ways," said PLMA President Peggy Davies. "Hailed as dynamic, innovative and pervasive, store brands offer boundless opportunities for retailers, manufacturers and trade suppliers."

The growth of store brands has been strong and steady. By the end of 2022, PLMA calculates that annual store brand sales had increased by 40% over a five-year period. Last year's double-digit gains continued through the first quarter of 2023, according to Circana. Sales and dollar and unit market shares are at all-time highs.

They are the shopper’s best friend, offering innovation, performance and quality. Store brands accounted for nearly one-third of all new sales flowing into U.S. retailing last year.

And there's more to come. Every day, store brand products are moving into new categories, new chains, new channels, and new platforms.

“Store brands are a powerful retailer component that provides important points of differentiation, competitive advantage and builds consumer loyalty," added Davies.

The 2023 Private Label Trade Show will reflect this expansion. PLMA expects that over 1,500 companies will be exhibiting and 5,000 individuals attending.

"For more than 40 years, PLMA has provided supermarkets, supercenters, drug chains, wholesale clubs, dollar and specialty stores, mass merchandisers, importers and exporters, and e-commerce retailers an exclusive venue to discover the latest food and non-food products, ingredients, flavors, fragrances, and packaging,” Davies said.

For more information on "The Store Brands Phenomenon" trade show, contact PLMA at +1 212 972-3131, email info@plma.com or click here for more information.

About PLMA

Store Brand Beverage Numbers Deserve a Toast!

Featured in PLMA’s e-Scanner March 25, 2023 newsletter, created by Tom Prendergast, Director, Research Services

Throughout store brands' steady double-digit gains of 2022, which has continued through the first two months of this year, fully 16 of the 17 departments tracked by IRI showed store brand improvement.

One department demonstrated particularly strong sales performance -- Beverages -- a section once considered impenetrable for store brands due to the powerhouse national brands that inhabit it.

But that dominance may be changing. In this extremely competitive department, store brands have been growing at a faster pace than brands for the past 4, 12 and 52 weeks, reported IRI Unify exclusively to PLMA.

The numbers deserve a toast. Total private label beverage sales in 2022 were $12 billion and dollar sales grew by 19.3%. Double digit growth continued into the new year as dollar sales over the past four weeks totaled 18.6%, only a slight dip from the 20% sales growth in the past three months.

The Beverages department is the third largest of the 17 tracked by IRI when it comes to national brand and store brand dollar sales ($130B) and second largest in unit sales with over 40 billion in sales.

The largest category in beverages is bottled water. The category has sales of $6.8 billion in 2022 and dollar sales growth of 23.1%. While dollar sales did slow, from 21.3% over 12 weeks to 20.3% in the past four weeks, it remains the largest dollar sales category in the department.

Water is not the only growth category in this department. When you take a closer look at other areas you see while not everyone is showing growth but the ones gaining sales are especially strong.

For instance, carbonated beverages have increased from 15.8%-dollar sales growth last year to 32.4% in February and 28.9% over the past three months. This growth is also reflected in unit sales, as sales for carbonated beverages grew 4% in the past 4 weeks and 1.2% over the past 12 weeks. While unit sales did dip 2.5% last year, like dollar sales, sales of units of carbonated beverages continued to advance.

Two other growing categories over this period were refrigerated tea/coffee and tea bags. Refrigerated tea/coffee grew from 8.2% in dollar sales last year to 10.7% in the past four weeks. Tea bags had even more dramatic results, as dollar sales went from 5% in 2022 to 12.3% in the past three months to 17.5% in the past four weeks.

Other categories also stood out. These include bottled juices (10%), coffee (15.4%) and ready to drink tea/coffee (15.8%); all had double digit growth in 2022. In the past four weeks, while growth has slowed, it remains positive, ranging from 66.8% for ready to drink tea and coffee to 13.9% for coffee and 10.2% for bottled juices.

Unit sales improvements were also striking. Ready to drink tea/coffee saw units rise from 10.4% in 2022 to 84% over the past 3 months and 75.7% in the past 4 weeks. Coffee unit sales were up 2.8% last year but kept most of that growth in the past four weeks with a 2.5%-unit sales growth.

After decades of being a bottom shelf afterthought in a strong national branded department, store brands are evolving to become a presence if not a player in many parts of the huge Beverages sector.

To find out more IRI Unify data is available to all PLMA members and can be found at plma.com where these statistics and sales of 317 categories and 967 subcategories can be found.

PLMA Announces 2023 Private Label Hall of Fame Inductees

NEW YORK (March 23, 2023) - The Private Label Hall of Fame Class of 2023 was inducted last night during PLMA’s Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference in Orlando.

Presented by PLMA and Store Brands magazine, the Private Label Hall of Fame was created in 2006 to recognize the men and women who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the global private brand industry.

This year, the Hall of Fame honors 16 individuals in four categories: Next Gen Private Label Leader, Private Brand Innovator, Private Brand Champion, and Lifetime Achievement.

“We proudly celebrate the outstanding achievements of these proven leaders and innovators,” said PLMA President Peggy Davies. “Their hard work and dedication are instrumental to the success of the store brands business.”

Private Label Hall of Fame Class of 2023

Next Gen Private Label Leader:

Anthony Cera III, Own Brands Manager, Perishables, SpartanNash
Colleen Kangas, President, Purcell International
Angela LePore, Senior Manager, Private Brands Product Development, Simmons Pet Food, Inc.
Kristin Provost, Senior Manager, Category Insights, Topco Associates, LLC

Private Brand Innovator:
Alicia Cook, Category Director, Save A Lot
Casey Creegan, Manager of Merchandising, Love’s Travel Stops
Roger Scommegna, CEO, Flying Blue Imports
Guido Tremolini, President/Co-Owner, G.S. Gelato

Private Brand Champion:

Shane Brown, Director, Own Brand Sourcing, Giant Eagle, Inc.
Jill Clark, VP, Sales and Marketing, Dutch Gold Honey, Inc.
Andrea Collaro, Senior Director, Owned Brands, Brand Management/Product Development, Walgreens Co.
Kristie Nicolosi, CEO, The Kingswood Company

Lifetime Achievement:

Brenda Lord, Vice President, Private Brands, CVS Health
Nancy Ragozzino, President, Ragozzino Foods, Inc.
Andy Russick, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Pacific Coast Producers
Jill Sando, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer, Target

“The 16 honorees represent the best of the best from across the world of private label and showcase the depth of talent the industry has to offer,” said Store Brands magazine Executive Editor & Associate Publisher Greg Sleter. “This august group of retailers and suppliers have had a major impact on the private label business and will continue to do so in the years ahead.”

Profiles on all inductees will be featured in the May/June issue of Store Brands magazine, featured on StoreBrands.com, and posted in a special section of plma.com.

About PLMA

The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) is a non-profit trade organization founded in 1979 to promote the store brands industry. With executive offices in New York and International Council offices in Amsterdam, PLMA represents more than 4,000 member companies worldwide. In addition to the Annual Private Label Trade Show in Chicago and its World of Private Label Trade Show in Amsterdam, PLMA provides annual conferences, executive education and professional development opportunities. Follow PLMA on plma.com, plmainternational.com, Twitter and LinkedIn.

"How Private Label Packaging Strategies Influence Shoppers Intent to Purchase"

Retailers, Wholesalers Honored for Store Brand Excellence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: press@plma.com

Retailers, Wholesalers Honored for
Store Brand Excellence

-Walmart receives 15 PLMA Salute to Excellence Awards®
-Albertsons, CVS Pharmacy, Lidl, Sam’s Club, Topco Associates, Whole Foods Market among many other 2025 winners

NEW YORK (November 16, 2025) - Walmart once again tops the list of winners of PLMA’s annual Salute to Excellence Awards®. The retailer received 15 awards across multiple categories for its Vibrant Life™, Parent's Choice™, bettergoods™, Marketside®, Great Value™ and Equate™ store brands.

Albertsons, CVS Pharmacy, Lidl, Sam’s Club, Topco Associates and Whole Foods Market are among other companies winning multiple awards.

PLMA’s annual Salute to Excellence Awards® program recognizes outstanding food and nonfood products introduced within the last year by supermarkets, drug stores, mass merchandisers, convenience stores, online retailers, wholesalers and more. Submissions were sampled and evaluated by a panel of professional and consumer judges on several criteria, including taste, product concept, packaging, and value for money.

Close to 850 products were nominated for the 2025 awards by 50 North American retailers.

“The winners are a testament to the power of store brands in driving business success in all retail formats,” said PLMA President Peggy Davies. “They represent the highest level of innovation, ingenuity and achievement.”

Walmart’s winning products include Vibrant Life™ Level 73" Multi-Functional Cat Tree with Condo, Hammock, Scratching Posts; Parent's Choice™ Organic Baby Food Puree Variety Pack; Marketside® Chorizo Breakfast Bowl; bettergoods™ Truffle Glaze with Balsamic Vinegar of Modena; and Equate™ Coconut Hibiscus Sugar Scrub.

Here are five trends among the 2025 winners:

Kid Power - Products geared to babies, toddlers and kids from mealtime to bedtime:
-Associated Wholesale Grocers, Best Choice®, Kid-Ventures Trays
-Dollar General, DG™ Health, Kid's Toothbrushes-Barbie™
-Target, Good & Gather™, Teeny Tiny Lunch Bites

Super Bowls - Food bowls offer portion-controlled convenience for breakfast, lunch and dinner:
-Sam's Club, Member's Mark™, Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
-Walmart Inc., Marketside®, Chorizo Breakfast Bowl

Global Flavors - Consumers have a more sophisticated palate and are seeking out ethnic flavors in food, beverages, sauces and confections:
- Albertsons Companies, Signature Select®, Birria Cooking Sauce
- Misfits Market, Odds & Ends, Cacio e Pepe Ravioli
- Yesway, Yesway®, Chamoy Chili Gummi Bears

Bold Beverages - Hot and cold beverages now come in spicy, indulgent and other unique flavors:
- Albertsons Companies, O Organics®, Apple Caramel Crumble Tea
- GoPuff, Basically™ Jalapeno Limeade
- Meijer, Meijer®, Crystal Quenchers® Rocket Pop sparkling water

Fruit-Scented Household Goods - Citrus and other fruity scents can be found in household products ranging from dishwashing liquid to candles:
- Dollar General, True Living®, Ultra Dishwashing Liquid, Fresh Pomegranate Scent
- Whole Foods Market, 365 by Whole Foods Market, Yuzu & Prickly Pear 3 Wick Candle

Click here see the full list of winners.

The winning products are on display at PLMA’s 2025 “Store Brands Marketplace” Private Label Trade Show, Nov. 16-18 in Chicago. CLICK HERE for more information.

About PLMA

The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) is a non-profit trade organization founded in 1979 to promote the store brands industry. With executive offices in New York and International Council offices in Amsterdam, PLMA represents more than 5,200 member companies worldwide. In addition to the Annual Private Label Trade Show in Chicago and World of Private Label International Trade Show in Amsterdam, PLMA provides annual conferences, executive education and professional development opportunities. An advocate for the industry, PLMA created Store Brands Month, a nationwide collaboration of retailers, wholesalers, and private label suppliers, promoting store brand products to the country's grocery shoppers. The month-long event focuses on increasing consumer attention to the quality, value and innovation of store brand products across all categories within brick and mortar and online retail formats. For more information, visit plma.com, plmainternational.com, and follow PLMA:

Get a First Look at the New Product Expo

The New Product Expo at the Private Label Trade Show is the place to see the latest and greatest innovations in store brands. Hundreds of attention-grabbing foods and nonfoods will be on display. Carol Angrisani previews some of the items you’ll see this year in Chicago. Hear about protein-packed products, collagen shots and ergonomically designed eyeliner.

Special Section at Private Label Trade Show: Wine & Spirits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: press@plma.com

Special Section at Private Label Trade Show: Wine & Spirits

Retailer and Visitor Registration Is Still Open

NEW YORK (October 27, 2025) - Wine and spirits products will have their own special section at PLMA’s 2025 Private Label Trade Show, November 16-18, Chicago. Nearly 30 suppliers of adult beverages will exhibit there, a substantial increase over last year's total, said Dan Weil, PLMA's Chicago Show Director.

"It's important for us to assist buyers in every retail channel to locate specific suppliers and products on the vast Show floor. One way is by creating areas for emerging, opportunistic categories. This year we're again focusing on Wine and Spirits," added Weil, in his second year at the helm of the Show. The Show will feature 3,000 booth spaces accommodating nearly 2,000 exhibitors from over 60 countries.

A partial list of exhibitors in the section includes Agave Azul San Jose SA de CV, Bear Creek Winery, Bespoken Spirits, Beveland, Blakes Beverage Co., Casa Vinicola Zonin SPA, Destiladora de Alcoheles y Rones SA, Endless West, Fior de Sole, Four Feathers Wine Services, Frey Vineyards Ltd., Galloway Co., Jackson Purchase Distillery, La Destilera Craft Spirits, Latitude Wines, Nexterra Wine Co., Nosio SPA, Pampa Beverages, Raventos Codorniu USA, RM Wineries, Sas Establissments Geyer Freres, Sonoma Bespoke, Spirits Lux, Te Pa Family Vineyards Ltd., Two Trees Distilling Co., Van Lovern Family Vineyards, and Zidela Wines Pty Ltd.

"Wine and spirits exhibitors can be found with PLMA's Show Navigator, an invaluable tool that gives registered retailers and visitors category-by-category listings of exhibitors and products beginning 30 days before the event," said Weil.

“The surge we’re seeing reflects growing consumer demand for private label wine and spirits — including alcohol-free options — across a broad range of retail channels,” said Peggy Davies, PLMA President. “From supermarkets and drugstores to club, convenience, discount, and limited-assortment stores, shoppers are increasingly turning to retailers’ own brands as these brand owners emphasize innovation, premiumization, and value as key points of differentiation.”

Led by Costco, the country's largest wine vendor, along with Aldi, Lidl, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and other grocery chains, private label wine has been gaining steadily in sales over the last few years. Costco introduced its Kirkland Signature wine more than 20 years ago, followed by expansions into hard alcohol and craft beer. You can now buy nearly every spirit under Costco's Kirkland brand, including American and French vodka, Scotch, whiskey, bourbon, rum, tequila, and gin.

Registration for all buyers -- retailers, wholesalers and visitors -- remains open until 1 p.m. on November 18. Visit storebrandsmarketplace.com for more information.

About PLMA

Data Points: GLP-1 Usage and Grocery Spending

52%

This is the percentage of GLP-1 users who reported a goal of losing at least 15 pounds, and these households reduced spending by 10% across 100+ categories in Grocery, QSR, and Tobacco sectors within six months of adoption, according to quarterly data from July 2024 through July 2025 from Numerator’s GLP-1 Trends Hub.

At the same time, weight-loss focused users increased their spending in health-related categories such as protein shakes (38%), bone health (23%), superfoods (58%), and digestive health (6%) relative to comparable non-user households.

Behavior shifts persist even when GLP-1 usage lapses. Grocery patterns are the first to normalize, while indulgent categories like candy and baked goods typically rebound within the first three to six months; however, continued prioritization of fresh produce and meats suggests a longer-term impact on health-driven consumption habits.

“The GLP-1 environment is continually evolving, with changes to policies, insurance coverage, and delivery mechanisms that expand access and reduce costs to consumers,” said Steve Kramer, VP of Product Innovation, Numerator. “It will be critical for brands, retailers, and foodservice providers to keep a consistent pulse on the shifting purchasing dynamics and health-driven trade-offs, as consumers adopt, lapse, and return to these medications.”

Ideas and Inspiration: Heinen’s, Kroger, Price Chopper

-Heinen’s organic, gluten-free cereal comes in several varieties, including Multigrain Flakes, Raisin Bran; and Honey O Rings.

-Kroger is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its $2.9 billion Private Selection brand. New products include Mini Seedless Cucumbers, Peanut Butter Cups, Fire Roasted Poblano Ranch Salad Dressing, Premium Skillet Penne Primavera & Chicken, Spicy Maple Bourbon Pickle Chips, and a Grab & Go American Sandwich Combo.

-Price Chopper’s PICS store brand coffee is the #1 selling item in the coffee aisle, the retailer announced on social media. Fun flavors include Sinfully Nutty, Jamaican Me Happy and Chocolate Raspberry.

Special Section at Private Label Trade Show: Wine & Spirits

Wine and spirits products will have their own special section at PLMA’s 2025 Private Label Trade Show, November 16-18, Chicago. Nearly 30 suppliers of adult beverages will exhibit there, a substantial increase over last year's total, said Dan Weil, PLMA's Chicago Show Director.

Wine and spirits exhibitors can be found with PLMA's Show Navigator, a tool that gives registered retailers and visitors category-by-category listings of exhibitors and products.

Visitor registration is open. Click here for more information.