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PLMA's 2008 Roundtable Conference

PLMA's 2008 Roundtable Conference, 27-28 February in Brussels, focuses on how private label and A-brands co-exist
Private label's success across Europe is causing top retail and manufacturer executives to ask a strategic question: What is the best way for retailer brands and manufacturer brands to co-exist? For most retailers, the question is how to achieve the best balance on the shelves. For many private label manufacturers, the real challenge is often how to co-exist with your own company's brands inside the company.
These issues will be examined from different perspectives at PLMA's 2008 Annual Roundtable Conference to be held 27-28 February in Brussels at the Brussels Hilton hotel. Speakers include: Karen Bevan, Head of Consumer and Category Management, IGD; Antonella Mei-Pochtler, Partner, Boston Consulting; Koen de Jong, Director, IPLC, with extensive experience in private label marketing and sales.
Brian Sharoff, PLMA President, says the relationship between retailer and manufacturer brands is becoming more complex for Europe's leading retailers and suppliers. "Years ago, when A-brands dominated most national markets in Europe, questions about the relationship were seldom asked. But now the growth of private label-it accounts for more than one of every three products sold in six western Europe countries-is causing retailers and suppliers alike to take a new look at how private label and A-brands can live together".
The Roundtable programme includes presentations on other key issues for private label. Attendees will be briefed on the latest EU regulations and proposed legislation that could affect retailer brands. Christian Kaufholz and John Wyles from GPlus Europe, which represents manufacturers, retailers and trade associations in Brussels, will analyse current and future government policies for their impact on the business.
Two Roundtable presentations will focus on consumer trends. Emilie Coles, TNS Magasin, will speak on shopping behaviour in her presentation, "Inside the Consumer's Shopping Mind". Consumer attitudes toward organics will be examined by Anne Arvola, a researcher involved in an EU-funded project that investigated consumer decision-making processes in eight countries.
In addition to the presentations, Roundtable attendees will visit leading supermarket and hypermarket formats in Belgium. The country is a dynamic private label market, with volume share now standing at 42% and leading retailers expanding their programmes even more.
For information about PLMA's 2008 Annual Roundtable Conference, or to arrange an interview with Brian Sharoff, President, PLMA, please contact PLMA International Council, Leonique White, Manager Trade Show Development, at telephone: +31 20 5753032 or email press@plma.nl.
Founded in 1979, PLMA's membership ranges from multinational corporations to small companies. Their products include food, beverages, snacks, health and beauty, household and kitchen, housewares, DIY, and personal and leisure products.
With offices in Amsterdam, New York, and Hong Kong, PLMA represents more than 3,000 member companies around the globe. PLMA presented its first show in the United States in 1980, its first show in Europe in 1986 and its first show in Asia in 1994. Today, it provides services to member manufacturers in more than 60 countries