3,350 exhibitors at the PLMA

The way in which private labels are keeping pace with modern trends was on display at the Private Label Manufacturers Association’s international trade fair, ‘The World of Private Label’, held on 19 and 20 May in Amsterdam. This year, all the halls of the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre were in use. The number of exhibitors rose to 3,350 companies – a record.

‘This demonstrates the growing importance of private-label products to consumers and highlights their increasing strategic significance for the retail sector,’ says the PLMA in promoting its trade fair.

At the ‘Amsterdam Private Label Catwalk’, the PLMA showcased unusual flavour combinations such as bubble tea yoghurt, mango and chilli ice cream, and caper crisps, as well as next-generation products such as collagen shots and electrolyte drinks. In the non-food sector, circular economy concepts stood out, such as a frying pan made from coffee waste and recycled aluminium. In the Retail Trends section, the focus was on health-consciousness: functionally enriched foods, smaller portion sizes and own-brand products with shorter ingredient lists.

The New Product Expo showcased around 300 new food and non-food items that will be hitting the shelves in the near future. These included exciting and innovative products such as seaweed spread with ginger, muesli enriched with creatine, robotic toys for cats, remote-controlled LED candles with a timer, and a portable sparkling water maker.

‘Next year, we will continue to refine our format to make the international PLMA trade fair even more future-proof,’ announced PLMA President Peggy Davies.

The changes to the exhibition layout, which are designed to make this annual event even more forward-looking, will be on display at next year’s edition of the fair in Amsterdam: on 25 and 26 May 2027 at the RAI Convention Centre in Amsterdam.