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

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.

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
HOF logo

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"
Bentonville Delivers: PLMA’s 2026 Leadership Conference Sets New Attendance Record
Scott Morris

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Contact: Libby M. Roberge
lmroberge@plma.com
press@plma.com

PLMA's 2026 Leadership Conference In Bentonville Sets Attendance Record

Scott MorrisNEW YORK (April 22, 2026) -- The hometown of the world's biggest retailer was, fittingly, the site of PLMA's best-attended, non-trade show event ever. 

A record number of store brand executives -- retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, suppliers, brokers and others involved in adjacent industries -- converged on Bentonville, Arkansas, the birthplace and global HQ of retail titan Walmart, on April 15-17, to participate in PLMA's 2026 Leadership Conference and Annual Meeting.

Themed "Building Brands That Drive Success," the event offered tracks on Brand Building: Value Proposition and Social Media; Emerging Technologies; Trends in Innovation; Private Brands and Consumer Behavior, and Private Brands: Purpose, Personalization and Performance.

Scott Morris, Walmart's SVP of Private Brands Food, Consumables, and Manufacturing, delivered the keynote address on The Future of Private Brands. Morris and his team are tasked with positioning Walmart’s Private Brands, strengthening their value proposition, developing quality core and innovative products, and building customer loyalty and holistic cultural support as a strategic impetus for the organization.

"This isn’t your mama’s private brand anymore, today’s shopper is more engaged than ever before," Morris told the standing room only breakfast session. “We want to give the customer powerful choices they can trade into – not down.”

On the eve of the PLMA event, Walmart announced an update of the logo and packaging for its 10,000 SKU Great Value private label brand. It's the first major change to the brand's packaging, which was launched in 1993, in 10 years. "It's time after a 10-year cycle to renew the brand and give it a fresh look; something that's modernized and connects with the customer,” offered Morris.

The more than 300 conference participants were able to craft their own agenda from a schedule of more than a dozen breakout sessions on the tracks along with several main stage plenary presentations.

"Attendance has more than doubled from last year reflecting the momentum, energy and growth of our industry,” said PLMA President Peggy Davies during the Annual Meeting. “There’s no better time than right now to be in store brands,” she continued. “Today’s attendees represent one of the most dynamic, relevant, and fastest-moving sectors in all of consumer goods.”

“This is the moment PLMA was built for, we have grown by 65% - a true testament to the value we bring to our members.”

"In a world filled with overwhelming amounts of information and limited time, PLMA is your go-to source. PLMA isn't just an industry association anymore. We've stepped into a bigger role, moving from setting principles to setting strategy, with a sharper value proposition and a global vision to back it up," Davies said in her President's address.

"If you are resource-constrained, time-starved, or operating without the tools, training, and intelligence that larger CPG companies take for granted, we are here for you. We carefully select the best insights, experts, and intelligence so you can stay informed without the hassle. Our agenda today and tomorrow reflects that care."

The induction of 24 new members to the Private Label Hall of Fame also took place during the conference. “We are proud to recognize this exceptional group of leaders whose contributions continue to strengthen and advance store brands,” said Davies, of the honorees. “From champions and innovators to emerging talent and lifetime achievers, each reflects the collaboration, forward thinking and commitment that help move our industry ahead.”

The Embassy Suites Northwest Arkansas, in nearby Rogers, Arkansas, home of the first Walmart store, served as the official hotel for the event. The Bentonville location was in keeping with PLMA's decision to conduct its annual conference around the country and near executive offices of major U.S. operators. Recent iterations were held in San Antonio and Scottsdale, close to home bases of H.E.B and Sprouts Farmers Market, respectively.

At the conclusion of the conference, Davies announced the association's 2027 Leadership Conference and Annual Meeting will be held in Cincinnati, HQ city of the Kroger Company.

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:

#PLMA

PLMA Announces 2026 Board of Directors and Executive Committee
New Board Members

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Libby M. Roberge
lmroberge@plma.com
press@plma.com

Editor’s Note:
Logos and Photos Available Here

PLMA Announces 2026 Board of Directors and Executive Committee

NEW YORK (April 20, 2026) -- The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) has announced its 2026 Board of Directors and Executive Committee, led by newly elected Chairperson Mark Cheney of Upstate Niagara Cooperative Inc.

Cheney will serve a one-year term as Chairperson. Joining him on the Executive Committee are:

  • First Vice Chairperson: Anthony Biggers, Simmons Pet Food, Inc.
  • Second Vice Chairperson: Lauren McNamara, SunOpta Inc.

In addition, PLMA announced new and continuing members of its Board of Directors including:

Board of Directors (2026–2027 Term)

  • Sarah York, Huhtamaki Inc.

Board of Directors (2026–2029 Term)

  • Derek Dafoe, Sofidel America Corp.
  • Brian Mangan, Refresco Beverages
  • Otto Nudding, Monarca Snacks
  • Jennifer Rozzelle, FedUp Foods P.B.C.
  • Joe Super, Shearer's Foods, LLC

The newly elected slate was presented by PLMA’s Nominating Committee, John Galioto of Trinidad Benham Corporation and Alissa Lodahl of Masters Gallery Foods, Inc. during PLMA’s Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference, April 15-17 in Bentonville, AR.

“Our new Chairperson and this accomplished group of Board members bring a depth of industry experience that will continue to advance PLMA’s mission of strengthening connections and collaboration while driving resilience, innovation, development, growth, and excellence across the private label industry,” said Peggy Davies, PLMA President.

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:

#PLMA

2026 Private Label Hall of Fame: Celebrating Excellence in Store Brands

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Libby M. Roberge
lmroberge@plma.com
press@plma.com

Editor’s Note:
Logos and Photos Available Here

Private Label Hall of Fame Reaches 136 Honorees
Record 24 Inductees Join Class of 2026

Bentonville, AR (April 17, 2026) -- A record number of 24 inductees joined the Private Label Hall of Fame Class of 2026 during a special ceremony at PLMA’s Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference in Bentonville, Arkansas. Since its inception in 2006, the Hall of Fame has honored 136 store brand industry leaders.

Induction in the Private Label Hall of Fame is based on annual nominations offered by representatives of the industry in the following categories:

  • Private Brand Leadership Champion
  • Private Brand Leadership Innovator
  • Private Brand Leadership – Next Gen (40 & under)
  • Lifetime Achievement

“We are proud to recognize this exceptional group of leaders whose contributions continue to strengthen and advance store brands,” said Peggy Davies, PLMA President. “From champions and innovators to emerging talent and lifetime achievers, each honoree reflects the collaboration, forward thinking, and commitment that help move our industry ahead.'

The 2026 Inductees include:

Private Brand Leadership Champion

  • Brianna Blanton, Head of Product Commercialization, Amazon Worldwide Grocery Stores Private Brands
  • Terri Fubio, Vice President of Private Label Sales, DelGrosso Foods, Inc.
  • Brian Hartshorn, Senior Vice President, General Merchandise Manager – Consumables, Dollar General
  • Seth Malley, Chief Merchandising Officer, Massmart, Walmart Africa
  • Gary Petersen, Senior Vice President of Sales, Red Gold, LLC

Private Brand Leadership Innovator

  • Anthony Bennie, Founder & Chief Nutrition Officer, Clear Conscience Pet, LLC
  • Violeta Bingham, Product Development Manager II in Merchandise, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores
  • Josh Jansen, Category Strategy Manager, Frozen Treats and Frozen Meals, Our Brands, The Kroger Co.
  • Dwight Richmond, Director of Center Store and Own Brands, Town & Country Markets
  • Michelle Turnbull, CEO, The Barking Bakery Limited
  • Hannah Williams, Senior Sourcing Manager, Baking & Mixes, Walmart Inc.

Private Brand Leadership – Next Gen (40 & Under)

  • Caryn Czapran, Director of Sales, Rodelle, Inc.
  • Haley Harvey, Consumable Private Brands Category Manager, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores
  • Laura Smith, Senior Category Strategy Manager, The Kroger Co.
  • Andrew Spiker, Director, Private Brands Procurement, Hy-Vee, Inc.
  • Natalie Tabisz, Senior Category Manager, Topco Associates LLC

Lifetime Achievement

  • Robert Baker, Senior Vice President of Sales, Olam Food Ingredients
  • Steve Corsun, Founder, Premier Brands of America Inc.
  • John Farris, Chairman of American Home Foods, Inc.
  • Keith Hardy, National/Key Account Manager, AJM Packaging Corporation
  • Russell Kidd, Former Director of Product Development (Retired), Circle K Stores
  • Anthony Schelich, Sr. Partner & President, Marketing Concepts Group, Inc.
  • Brad Studer, Senior Director of Our Brands, The Kroger Co.
  • Andrea Zweig Wagner, Director of Private Brands - Brand Management & Design, Ahold Delhaize USA

Additional information about the Private Label Hall of Fame and the professional profiles of the inductees will be featured on storebrands.com and posted on 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 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:

#PLMA

Where Retailers and Manufacturers Connect

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Libby M. Roberge
lmroberge@plma.com
press@plma.com

Editor’s Note:
Logos and Photos Available Here

As Store Brands Reach Unprecedented Levels of Sales and Shares
PLMA Announces 2026 Private Label Trade Show, Nov 15-17, Chicago

NEW YORK (April 15, 2026) - In the wake of record store brand sales, shares and annual revenue, the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) has announced its 2026 Private Label Trade Show, the industry’s flagship business event, will be held November 15-17, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago.

"It's clearly a good time to be in private label," said Peggy Davies, PLMA President, in offering details of the 2026 Show, which is themed the “Store Brands Marketplace,” an apt description of thousands of retailers manufacturers and sourcing partners assembling over two days to curate products and restock and expand store brand programs in all formats.

"With their comprehensive private label programs, retailers today are truly brand builders,” continued Davies. “PLMA's 2026 Private Label Trade Show will once again provide for a convenient, one stop shopping for all players in the industry -- from high quality suppliers to buyers from the nation's leading retailers and wholesalers."

In addition to store brands increasing nearly three times the rate of national brands in 2025 and setting all-time highs of 21.3% in dollar share and 23.5% in unit share, a key barometer of store brand expansion are metrics from PLMA's annual Show.

Since 2022, the Show has increased 35% in exhibiting companies and 31% in participating retailers, wholesalers and other visitors. Over 60 countries were represented at the 2025 Show in Chicago, most of them appearing in 54 national pavilions. Overall, more than 1,900 exhibiting companies occupied over 3,000 booths. 

"Exhibitors come away with a great experience and more than anything are impressed with the high quality of retail buyers who they describe as serious, empowered dealmakers and not just browsers," says Dan Weil, Senior Director of the PLMA Show. “Buyers appreciate the opportunity the Show provides.”

"Seeing what's on display in person is a crucial experience — smelling, tasting, handling — that transforms the products and their packaging from abstract concepts into tangible goods,” continued Weil. “Buyers are looking for more than cost savings, they're also seeking innovation, quality, and brand identity."

Manufacturers and suppliers interested in exhibiting their products at PLMA’s 2026 Store Brands Marketplace Private Label Trade Show in Chicago can contact exhibit@plma.com for more information and available exhibit opportunities.

Requests to attend the Show in November are now being accepted here. Retailers and qualified visitors who submit the form will receive notification and a registration link when registration opens in mid-June.

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:

#PLMA

Notable Quotable: Neil Saunders, GlobalData
Neil Saunders

“The consumer has given permission to retailers to do more with private label.”

- Neil Saunders, Managing Director at GlobalData, told PLMA Live!

Click here to watch interview.

Store Brand Shoutout: Dollar General, Giant Eagle

Every month, e-scanner will highlight two PLMA Salute to Excellence Award® winners for store brand creativity and innovation. Click here to view the full list of winners.

Food: Giant Eagle, Market District™ Artisan Ciabatta Sandwich Rolls
Giant Eagle, Market District™ Artisan Ciabatta Sandwich Rolls
Nonfood: Dollar General Nature's Menu® Adult Dog Food, Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe
TRU RED™ Brightwell 5-in-1 Productivity LED Desk Light