2024 Private Label Trade Show in Chicago, USA

2024 USA (Chicago) International Private Label Trade Show

I. Exhibition Overview

Exhibition Date: November 18-19, 2023

Exhibition Venue: Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Chicago, USA

Exhibition Frequency: Annually

Organizer: Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA)

Exhibition Organizer: Shandong Zhenghe International Exhibition Co., Ltd.

II. Exhibition Introduction

The PLMA Chicago Private Label Trade Show has been successfully held for 43 sessions. It is the only trade show in the Americas entirely dedicated to private labels; it offers a unique opportunity to meet with retail decision-makers and serves as a platform for retailers and suppliers to negotiate and build their private label businesses, making it an excellent way for companies to enter the private label retail market in the Americas. A similar exhibition is held annually in Amsterdam in May.

In 2023, a new record was set with 1685 exhibitors from nearly 60 countries and 2753 booths, including 1256 food companies and 429 non-food companies. Over 6000 professional buyers attended.

Buyers came from supermarkets, drug chains, mass merchandisers, discounters, clubs, dollar stores and convenience stores, online and specialty retailers, food service distributors and wholesalers.

Products involve thousands of categories, including food, beverages and snacks, health and beauty, over-the-counter drugs, household paper and cleaning products, housewares, and general merchandise.

III. Market Analysis

Today's retailers place great emphasis on expanding store brands to meet growing consumer trends. PLMA's trade shows reflect the latest consumer preferences and choices. Every major private label category is covered at the exhibition, allowing attendees to see the latest market trends. As a result, many retailers bring their entire buying teams, including category managers and packaging specialists, to the show. For exhibitors, this is a rare opportunity to collaborate with customers and develop products to increase sales.

Walmart launched its private label, Great Value, in 1992. After more than 20 years of development, Great Value's sales have reached nearly 10 billion US dollars, with the brand covering 2000 products, bringing huge sales performance and considerable profits to Walmart.

IV. Exhibit Categories

Food: Canned food, cereals, pastries, beverages, frozen and refrigerated food, fresh food, fast food, nuts, candies and biscuits, desserts and puddings, jams, spreads and condiments, shelf-stable food;

Apparel and Accessories: Footwear, knitwear, bathrobes, scarves, towels, shawls and other home textile products;

Home and Handicrafts: Household appliances (wardrobes, cooking utensils, tableware, food storage, small appliances, lamps, etc.), handicrafts (decorations, etc.), craft woven products, etc.;

Health and Beauty: Baby care (diapers, baby cream, etc.), adult hygiene products, pharmaceuticals and vitamins (tablets, capsules, ointments, vitamins), hair care products (shampoos, conditioners, styling sprays, gels, hair growth and dyeing products), skincare products (cleansing, moisturizing, sun protection, etc.), cosmetics, health and first aid;

Pet Products: Pet food and supplies;

Recreation and Leisure: Fitness equipment, games, toys, etc.;

Daily Necessities: Tableware, laundry detergents, insecticides, plastic products, etc.;

Office Supplies: Various office and stationery supplies;

Packaging Products: Food packaging, biodegradable packaging.

V. Private Label Manufacturers Association

Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) Established in 1979, PLMA is the only non-profit organization for the private label market, with over 4500 member companies from more than 70 countries. Each year, the association organizes exhibitions, press conferences, seminars, forums, and other activities for the private label market. Annually, the association co-publishes an international private label market annual report with “ACNielsen,” which includes statistics on market shares for over 7000 products from 20 countries. Private Brand (PB) generally refers to a new brand created and used by a retailer for sales convenience, by establishing their own production bases, or entrusting OEM enterprises for production, and independently controlling sales channels to achieve a production-sales integration model.

Starting in the 1960s, retail private labels began to emerge in countries like the UK and France. Due to the "good quality and low price" advantage of private labels compared to manufacturer brands, retail private labels rapidly expanded in European and American countries by the late 1970s. By the mid-1990s, the product categories of retail private labels in markets such as the UK, France, Germany, and the US became more extensive, packaging and design became richer and more diverse, the price advantage became more prominent, and the brand concept was very mature. As of now, the sales share of private labels in major European countries generally exceeds 10%, with some even reaching over 40%.

VI. Past Notable Exhibitors

Ningbo Ruijie Import and Export Co., Ltd. Hangzhou Guoguang Tourism Products Co., Ltd.

Ningbo Kaili Holdings Group Co., Ltd. Qingdao Meiya Packaging Co., Ltd.

Aibang Aluminum (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd. Qingdao Baofeng Aluminum Foil Products Co., Ltd.

VII. Contact Information

Shandong Zhenghe International Exhibition Co., Ltd.

Contact Person: Sun Linan 0531-82708506

Email: zhenghesd@163.com