With private label products taking an ever increasing share of shelf space in supermarkets across Europe, this year's World of Private Label trade show promises to be bigger than ever.
The show, which starts today in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is organised by the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA), and will feature more than 2,600 exhibitors stands representing manufacturers from more than 60 countries.
The size of the show reflects the continuing strategy of major retailers and wholesalers across Europe, who are crossing national borders, making acquisitions, opening new stores, and introducing their brands to millions of new shoppers.
This strategy is proving to be a big benefit for private label, which is gaining market share in country after country and achieving a greater strategic importance in marketing and merchandising, the PLMA said.
While there are many companies which continue to focus solely on their own proprietary brands, many more have recognised the potential benefits to be gained from private label production as the major retail groups go from strength to strength. Many companies are entering the business for the first time, the PLMA said, while others are simply following their national retail customers into new markets.
More than 30 national and regional pavilions will lead the large number of companies. Countries where private labels are already well established - such as the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain and Belgium - dominate the show, but for the 2003 edition of the show they will be joined by newcomers from the Czech Republic, Turkey and Poland, reflecting not only the growing competitiveness of countries outside western Europe as sources of private label supply but also the efforts of major western retail groups to expand into these countries.
The World of Private Label exhibition will provide a showcase for producers of a wide range of food products, including meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, bakery, fruit and vegetables, delicatessen and ready-meals. The show also features a New Product Expo, which offers visitors a glance at innovative private label products and packaging and demonstrates the sophistication of today's private label industry.
The PLMA trade show is now in its eighteenth year and regularly attracts private label buyers from most of the world's leading retailers, including Auchan, Metro, Casino, Carrefour, Sainsbury's, Delhaize, Ahold, Tesco, Aldi, Wal-Mart and Lidl. Besides Europe's retailers and wholesalers, visitors will include importers from Asia, the Middle East, North and South America, and Africa.