On May 28 and 29, the Amsterdam RAI welcomed more than 18.000 visitors from over 125 countries who were all keen to meet the best of the world’s private label manufacturers.

PLMA’s International World of Private Label Trade Show was, as it always is, a meeting place for retailers, buyers, and other visitors who walked the 43,500 m2 trade show floor to browse what the almost 3,000 exhibiting companies from 73 countries offered. A challenging task, given the show floor space and the abundance of food and non-food exhibitors which was 10% larger compared to last year. 

More than just a trade show, the PLMA event is the place to identify food and non-food trends, like improved vegan offerings, high-protein items, and other preventive health products, as well as a variety of self-care solutions that tap into an increasing demand from consumers for functional and versatile products.

A report by NIQ in Spain shows that senior purchasing accounts for 56% of spending on consumer products. In view of demographic data, this number will even grow in the future.

Senior-led households spend the least on consumer products online, but then again, they spend more than average on other channels, like specialist or traditional stores. According to NIQ, inflation has impacted families with children more and senior households less.

In the coming years, there will be more purchasing households, although diverse: a growing population but with a lower share of families with children, there will be smaller households and it will be energized by migration.

A study of consumer trends in the Netherlands over the past five years has revealed that consumers are open to making healthier choices in the supermarket. However, they don’t want to feel that they are being patronized or forced to make a certain choice.

The advice from the researchers is that retailers draw attention to the healthy options in their range, for example, by using clear front-of-pack labeling, like the Nutri-Score. In addition, it would help if healthy products are included in the retailers’ special offers.

The researchers admit that there will always remain a demand for unhealthy products, and it would be unrealistic to want to remove those products from the supermarket altogether. Instead of such a step, paying more attention to highlighting healthy alternatives seems to be the way to go.

PLMA International in Amsterdam has launched an online survey of European member manufacturers and retailers. 

Consisting of about 30 multi-part questions, the survey is available in multiple languages and is being conducted for PLMA International by SurveyLab.

Topics include the relationship between manufacturers and retailers, the influence of today’s environmental and societal requirements on the supply chain, product innovation and development and factors contributing to the growth of private label throughout Europe.

After a delay of over a year, Carrefour’s Brazilian chain Atacadão is arriving in France. The Carrefour franchise will open on 20 June in Aulnay-sous-Bois. The Atacadão chain is interesting because it is a true hard discounter, with no-frills stores and products on pallets sold at knock-down prices, between 10 and 15% less than in other supermarkets.

The first store in France measures an area of 10,000 square meters and will carry up to 15,000 SKUs. It targets both professionals and end consumers. Carrefour had to overcome objections from municipalities and other players in the field that stalled the launch in France, announced some one and a half years ago.

In Brazil, the chain counts no fewer than 250 stores and is immensely popular among consumers. The retailer says that in France, it wants to adapt the format to the more sophisticated French clientele. Amongst others, there will be more emphasis on fresh products and a special organic department.
 

Have you seen soup in bags, sauces in cardboard, or beans in packs in your supermarket? In Scandinavia, known to be a trendsetter in more environmentally friendly packaging, the trend is ubiquitous.

The canned department has long remained the same, and it is not the most outspoken in the supermarket. Some think it is a rather dull, old-fashioned section. But there is a movement that seems to play into making the department more attractive, addressing a younger public.

Several companies are making a move towards changing the packaging of conserves into cardboard. This has a lower CO2 footprint and requires less gas in production. In addition to these advantages, there are also lower transport costs, and the new packs require less space in the stores.

We’ve reported before how Lidl set up its own shipping company, Tailwind, a few years ago, much to the distress of the container ship industry, and viewed with skepticism by other retailers because of the high costs.

While the discounter started with three ships it has been expanding the fleet, with nine ships now in operation, some owned, some chartered, and more being added. It demonstrates Lidl’s ambition and trust in securing its own supply chains.

The ships sail between three ports in China, a port in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and three ports in Europe: Barcelona, Koper (Slovenia) and Moerdijk (Netherlands). From the European ports, the goods are transported by truck, but mainly and preferably, by train and inland waterway vessels to their various destinations.

Aldi has concluded a 20-year agreement with an apple grower in the UK. While the farm has been supplying the discounter with apples for eight years, in the new deal it is becoming Aldi’s sole provider of UK apples.

The long-term arrangement gives the farmer an opportunity to invest in new orchards across the country in the coming years. For Aldi, after Tesco the second biggest seller of apples in the UK, it guarantees a steady supply of a mix of homegrown Gala and Braeburn apples.

A twenty-year contract is considered a game-changer in the sector, long-term agreements are rare and would never span more than six years.

More than 2,950 exhibitors from more than 73 countries will fill over 43,500 m2 of exhibit space at PLMA’s 2024 World of Private Label International Trade Show, May 28 and 29 at the RAI in Amsterdam.

The show floor will span 14 halls, including nine for food and five for non-food. It will feature 67 national and regional pavilions.

“Our high-impact global event provides a dynamic two-day platform for more than 28,000 private label professionals from 120 countries to connect, source and grow,” said PLMA President Peggy Davies. “The innovation unveiled for food and non-food products and packaging on the show floor and in Idea Supermarket will strengthen the already booming private label industry.”

Price and offers or promotions are crucial for many 18- to 30-year-olds when shopping for groceries. This emerges from a study in German speaking Europe by the consulting firm Institute of Brand Logic, which identified four additional relevant criteria.

In addition to price, important factors are the quality and taste of the food (80 percent), a range that enables a conscious and healthy diet (67 percent), and the regional orientation of the retailer (60 percent). This is followed by socially and fairly produced food (59 percent) and ecologically and sustainably produced food (52 percent). Digital solutions (27 percent) and trendy foods (25 percent) are in last place here.

The fourth criterion that the study authors identified is the curiosity of the younger generation. 69 percent “very much” or “like” trying out new products, trends and dishes. Accordingly, 60 percent of food retailers would like more relevant product information regarding usage options and food ideas, but also health aspects and supply chains.