NEW YORK — PLMA’s 2025 Private Label Trade Show wrapped up a successful three-day run in Chicago, reaffirming its status as the leading B2B event for the private label industry. Held November 16–18, the show attracted upwards of 14,000 retailers, exhibitors and industry professionals and featured more than 1,900 exhibitors from 63 countries across 3,000 booths.
“PLMA’s ‘Store Brands Marketplace’ was a success in every way, creating new opportunities for the private label industry to thrive,” said PLMA president Peggy Davies.
A major highlight was a keynote address by Joel Rampoldt, CEO of Lidl US, who outlined the retailer’s highly efficient operating model. Rampoldt detailed Lidl’s focus on electronic shelf labels, shelf-ready packaging and a curated assortment purchased in high volumes. He emphasized the company’s deep investment in supplier partnerships and the central role of store brands, which account for roughly 80 percent of Lidl’s 3,300 core items. About 85 percent of those products are sourced in North America.
“We are a private brand company because it’s the way we can deliver the best price and best quality,” Rampoldt said, adding that Lidl aims to be the first-choice partner for suppliers, team members and customers.
On the show floor, retailers found one-stop sourcing for new and innovative food and nonfood products. Five key trends stood out:
• Collagen: Expanding across supplements, foods and beverages
• Functional Foods: Rising demand for probiotic snacks and smoothie formats
• Greener Cleaners: Ultra-concentrated and dissolvable laundry products are gaining traction
• Regeneratively Farmed Products: Growing assortment across staples and beverages
• Topical Patches: Sleep, energy and relaxation patches drawing strong interest
Attendees also flocked to PLMA’s Idea Supermarket®, showcasing global product and packaging trends; the New Product Expo; and the Salute to Excellence Award® exhibit, highlighting top private label innovations selected by industry and consumer judges.
PLMA called this year’s show one of its most dynamic yet, underscoring the continued growth and momentum of private brands across the retail landscape. PLMA’s Idea Supermarket®, featuring the latest product and packaging trends from retailers around the globe.
- New Product Expo, a showcase of select products and packaging innovations from companies exhibiting at the show.
- PLMA’s 2025 Salute to Excellence Award® Winners, an exhibit of retailer food and non-food product innovations chosen as best private label product in their categories by industry and consumer judges.
MMR
Throughout the Show, attendees voiced excitement about the second annual Store Brands Month in January - the national event promoting the quality, value and variety of store brands. Inside the Idea Supermarket, a kiosk played a compilation of videos featured on the @StoreBrandsMonth Instagram page.
CLICK HERE for more information about Store Brands Month.
