Private Label Manufacture's Association (PLMA) –

November 11 - 13, 2007

IMC recently attended the PLMA tradeshow and made the following observations:

• Gelato (the Italian frozen custard) was a hot new trend at the PLMA this year.

• Natural and Organic and Ethnic brands continue to drive the strongest growth at grocery and that was reflected in the number of product offerings in these categories being presented at the show.

• This year there were more premium offerings at the show and the exhibitors are showing more sophistication in design, packaging, and product innovation.

• To walk the PLMA show, one could easily be made to believe that bottled water and energy drink categories are being overrun by private label manufacturers.

• There were a surprising number of very sophisticated private label wine, beer and spirit companies that are moving in to take full advantage of the growth trend in spirits at grocery, club, and mass channels.  Most if not all of these companies had strong private label relationships with major grocery chains producing a wide variety of products.
  

New Products on Show