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PLMA’s 2026 Private Label Trade Show is scheduled for Nov. 15–17 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago. Organizers say the show floor is at capacity, with nearly 1,900 suppliers from about 60 countries and more than 3,000 booths, alongside expanded education, product showcases and buyer-supplier networking.
PLMA’s 2026 Private Label Trade Show will bring retailers and manufacturers together Nov. 15–17 at Chicago’s Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, with an expanded education program, new-product displays and scheduled buyer-supplier networking. The organizers say the show floor is at capacity, with nearly 1,900 suppliers from about 60 countries occupying more than 3,000 booths, making the event a major sourcing opportunity for retailers developing store-brand products.
The show, branded the Store Brands Marketplace, will cover food and nonfood categories including beverages, health and beauty, household products and general merchandise. PLMA says attendees can see products in person while comparing suppliers and exploring items for their retail brands. The organization describes the event as a venue for sourcing and business relationships; the expected commercial outcomes for individual attendees have not been specified.
The first day is planned around education. The Executive Education Insight Series will offer expert-led workshops and discussions on trends, challenges and opportunities in the private brand industry, followed by opening seminars. On Monday, Nov. 16, Target senior vice president of merchandising for food and beverage John Conlin is scheduled to speak at 8 a.m. Ahold Delhaize USA senior vice president of Own Brands Abby Cook is scheduled to speak at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17.
Product displays will include World of Ideas, which replaces the long-running Idea Supermarket and features store-brand products from around the world. It will include winners of the Salute to Excellence Awards and International Wine Awards, as well as the New Product Expo, featuring hundreds of new food and nonfood items. PLMA has also moved its Mix, Mingle & Unwind Reception from Sunday evening to Monday night at the convention center, giving participants a planned opportunity to continue conversations after a day on the show floor.
A Crowded Floor for Store-Brand Sourcing
The announced scale points to a broad selection of suppliers and categories for retailers considering new or revised private-label offerings. At a time when store brands compete on quality, differentiation and value, buyers can compare products and meet manufacturers in one venue. The program’s education sessions and award-winning product displays also give attendees ways to review industry ideas alongside potential suppliers.
For manufacturers, the event offers a place to present products to retail buyers and pursue business relationships. PLMA says supplier demand is high and attributes that interest partly to store-brand performance, as well as its outreach and relationships with retailers and manufacturers. Those are the organization’s explanations; the source report does not provide independent figures on demand, sales outcomes or the number of business deals generated by the show.
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How the 2026 Program Is Changing
PLMA’s announcement describes a program that combines product discovery with meetings and education. The World of Ideas replaces the Idea Supermarket, while the Monday-night reception changes the timing of the traditional Sunday evening gathering. The New Product Expo will put hundreds of new items on display, and the awards sections will feature products already recognized by PLMA programs.
Buyers can use PLMA’s Show Navigator digital planning tool before arriving. Its Matchmaker feature lets retail buyers book appointments with exhibitors. The tool also provides exhibitor details, floor-route planning, schedules for seminars and events, supplier and broker directories, and product previews through Product Spotlight. PLMA says advance planning can help attendees organize appointments while leaving time to explore the show floor.
“Innovation remains the cornerstone of retailer brand success.”
— Peggy Davies, PLMA president
Attendance and Business Results Remain Unknown
PLMA has announced the dates, venue, planned program and supplier count, but the source report does not give an expected attendee total or confirm how many retailers have registered. It also does not identify all speakers, exhibitors or products that will appear. The reported figure of nearly 1,900 suppliers and more than 3,000 booths describes the planned show floor; it does not establish attendance or sales results.
Whether the event leads to new retail listings, supplier agreements or measurable savings is not yet clear. Those outcomes would depend on discussions and decisions after buyers review products. The announcement provides no post-show results, and the event had not yet taken place at the time of publication.
Buyers Can Plan Before Opening Day
Before the show opens, retail buyers can use Show Navigator to review exhibitors, build routes and request appointments through PLMA Matchmaker. The next scheduled program milestones are the education sessions on Sunday, Nov. 15, followed by the Monday and Tuesday morning talks from Target’s John Conlin and Ahold Delhaize USA’s Abby Cook. PLMA has not stated when it will release attendance or business-outcome figures after the event.
The trade show is scheduled to run Nov. 15–17 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago. The Monday-night Mix, Mingle & Unwind Reception is also part of the announced schedule.
Key Questions
When and where is PLMA’s 2026 Private Label Trade Show?
It is scheduled for Nov. 15–17, 2026, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago.
How large is the planned show floor?
PLMA says the floor is at capacity, with nearly 1,900 suppliers from about 60 countries filling more than 3,000 booths.
What new or changed features are planned?
The program includes the World of Ideas, replacing the Idea Supermarket, a New Product Expo featuring hundreds of items, and a Mix, Mingle & Unwind Reception moved to Monday night.
Who is scheduled to speak?
Target’s John Conlin is scheduled for 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 16, and Ahold Delhaize USA’s Abby Cook for 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17.
Can buyers schedule meetings in advance?
Yes. PLMA says buyers can use Show Navigator’s Matchmaker feature to book appointments with exhibitors and plan their time on the show floor.
Source: hardwareretailing.com
