Retail Trends and the implication on Private Label
Ray Gaul, CEO, Retail Cities
This session will help to understand the relevant customer/retail/private brand developments in the market and the impact these may have on company and category performance. Ray Gaul will give a guide to deal successfully with these opportunities and how to take the next steps to exceed your 2026 objectives.
Product Packaging as Competitive Advantage
Jens Sievert, Director International Design & Branding, Daymon
Learn how product packaging has evolved from a functional necessity to a powerful driver of brand value and growth. See how Design shapes perception, choice, and trust, to define how private brands can stand out in the crowd. Gain a strategic view on how to unlock the full potential of Design - by setting the right ambition, trusting expertise, and creating the conditions for great work - so that product packaging becomes a true engine of differentiation and meaning on shelf.
The Future of Procurement: Trends and Predictions
Marijn Overvest, Founder, Procurement Tactics
The session will cover the procurement landscape and how it is evolving with trends like digital transformation, sustainability, and data-driven decision-making. Building strong supplier-retailer relationships requires skills. Strategic procurement decisions are critical for maintaining competitive advantage and long term retail success.
Sustainability Trends and Developments
Rachel Sibson, Senior Insight Analyst, IGD
IGD will reveal the five trends shaping sustainability in retail, spanning the rise of technology and data as strategic enablers, the power of cross industry collaboration, and the shift toward initiatives that deliver meaningful, scalable impact. Through global case studies from leading retailers and manufacturers, we’ll explore how these trends are being put into practice today. The session will also outline clear actions and opportunities for businesses at different stages of their sustainability journey, from early starters to established leaders shaping the future of responsible retail.
Riding the Private Label Wave
Edgar Elzerman, Owner, Elzerman Consulting
Today's challenging retail marketplace requires a clear approach to devising a private label strategy and market position. Edgar will discuss the process to rightsizing your strategy, the components to take into consideration and the direction and inspiration from European market leaders.
Adopting Agile Product Innovation for the Modern Market
Marielle Bordewijk and Marleen Zaalberg, Founding Partners,
Food by Design
A brief overview of the importance of innovation and how Food by Design adopts (food and non-food) design thinking. Emphasis is placed on the agility of thinking, alternating between divergent and convergent, analytical and synthetic, strategic and detailed, retailer and consumer. In 2026 we zoom in on the trend of ‘Naturalness in food, body and household care’ and AI tools that can accelerate and enrich the process.
Retail Interview: Observations of an Expert in the Current Landscape
Arjan Both, interim CEO, Superunie, former Sr. Vice-President, Walmart
This presentation combines practical learnings from Walmart, other global retailers, and past successes. It highlights key lessons across the entire Private Label value chain, from sourcing and supply chain to innovation and commercial strategy. The session provides a broad perspective on how retailers and suppliers can prepare for future Private Label growth in Europe and beyond.
Translating Shopper Behaviour into Opportunities
Alexander Bilsing and Markus Goller, Partners, Simon-Kucher
This presentation examines how shopper behavior is evolving and the opportunities this creates for Private Label. It highlights key retail and customer developments toward 2026, the consequences for retailers, and what Private Label suppliers need to know to adapt, innovate, and capture future growth.