The Power of Private Label

As I prepare for my trip to Chicago for the annual PLMA trade show, I'm reviewing all the show and press materials I have received over the last few weeks.

One press release is about a new show pavilion: Viva Latino. As the name suggests, the showcase is for store-brand products targeting Hispanics.

The show will emphasize Hispanic marketing in other ways. For instance, one of the sessions, Stephen Palacios, executive vice president of consultancy Cheskin Added Value, will address how to reach this important demographic group.

In other areas, the keynote speaker will be Douglas Merrill, who served as chief information officer and vice president of engineering for Google from 2003 until 2008. Merrill will discuss the future of retail, including how consumer shopping habits will change.

Wrapping up the list of speakers will be Harry Balzer, chief industry analyst of NPD Group, who will discuss new and emerging food trends.

See you in Chicago.