PLMA’s online Show thrived

The Private Label Manufacturers Association considers the online event successful.  Success was achieved for both for retailers and manufacturers of private label products throughout Europe and around the globe as those who participated generated new business opportunities and expanded their business network.

Opening hours extended

From 1 to 4 December, a series of dedicated, category-specific trade shows were presented wherein buyers and suppliers met and did business across a singular, secure and proprietary PLMA digital platform.

Peggy Davies says: “During the four show days we monitored the online activity that took place. More than 2.500 substantial video calls took place between unique conversation partners and more than 15.000 virtual business cards were exchanged between visitors and exhibitors. The online show platform remains accessible to all registered buyers and visitors until mid-April 2021 and with this, sourcing for products and exchanging messages and virtual business cards can continue. As is demonstrated by the fact that another 1.000 virtual business cards were already exchanged since the last official show day.

Nearly 2.000 buyers from supermarkets, hypermarkets, discounters, drugstores and department stores and wholesalers, as well as importers, exporters, sales agents, manufacturers and packaging & design experts from 95 countries have attended to the biggest digital private label B2B platform in the world. More than 1.057 exhibiting companies from 61 countries, including participants in 22 national and regional pavilions, were offering their newest, best and most innovative private label products.

The show must go on

The online trade show platform had been under development for several years but the progress greatly accelerated in the past months, according to PLMA President Peggy Davies. “I am very proud that we were able to offer this platform to the trade. To those users where the technology may have been a new experience along with the occasional technical hiccup as hundreds of video calls were simultaneously taking place, the PLMA team readily assisted participants to quickly overcome the challenges. In all, the introduction of our online trade show proved its value and provided everyone with important learnings.”

Products on exhibit on PLMA’s virtual trade show floor included fresh, frozen and refrigerated foods, dry grocery and beverages, as well as non-food categories such as cosmetics, health and beauty, household, kitchen and housewares, auto aftercare, garden and DIY.