Private Label Trade Show Will Open in Chicago Soon
Retailers and manufacturers will gather November 15-17 to discuss the record growth of store brands.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Consumer Goods
Live Poll
Do you generally trust the quality of store-brand products as much as name-brand alternatives?
The Private Label Manufacturers Association will host its annual trade show in Chicago from November 15 to 17, 2026. This event arrives as store brands reached a record 23.8% unit share at mid-year.
Why it matters
Retailers increasingly rely on store brands for differentiation and consumer loyalty, shifting from transactional dealings to strategic partnerships. The industry is currently moving to extend established food brand trust into nonfood categories.
Store brands hit a record 23.8% unit market share by mid-year 2026, outperforming national brand unit volumes. Industry analysis indicates that performance trust is now five times more predictive of store brand adoption than price alone.
The players
Private Label Manufacturers Association
An international trade organization representing over 3,500 member companies that manufacture private label goods for retailers.
The details
Retailers and manufacturers are moving toward strategic partnerships focused on long-term category objectives rather than transactional supply agreements. The upcoming show will feature a new research series titled PLMA Shopper Intelligence and a digital tool called Show Navigator to facilitate exhibitor discovery and scheduling. Additionally, international representation is expanding with pavilions from Israel, Japan, the UAE, and Vietnam.
Timeline
Mid-year 2026: Store brands reached a 23.8% unit market share.
November 15-17, 2026: The PLMA Private Label Trade Show occurs in Chicago.
Market Landscape
The trade show follows the established industry trend of rising store brand adoption as captured in the record 23.8% unit market share reported at mid-year 2026. The event marks the primary venue for manufacturers to align production strategies with shifting consumer trust patterns.
Operators should monitor whether their current supplier relationships prioritize long-term category trust over simple price-based transactions. Evaluating the potential to expand private label offerings into nonfood segments may offer a path to capture consumer loyalty.
The takeaway
Performance trust is currently five times more predictive of store brand adoption than price. Operators should prioritize product innovation and quality metrics over pure discounting to capture the shift in consumer buying behavior.
Further reading
For broader insights on retail supply chains and private brand trends, visit the Consumer Goods section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Progressive Grocer.
Live Poll
Do you generally trust the quality of store-brand products as much as name-brand alternatives?
