The industry regathered at PLMA’s 2022 “World of Private Label” International Trade Show last week!
PLMA’s 2022 “World of Private Label” International Trade Show, held 31 May – 1 June in Amsterdam, was an overwhelming success. The world’s largest private label exhibition attracted more than 15,000 buyers and visitors from 120 countries. The industry confirmed the importance of Connect. Source. Grow. which was the theme of this year’s trade show. Back in full force, the buzz of business talks, the shaking hands, the quest for innovation and new products and the strengthening of relationship was widely seen.
“We are proud to support the industry with a platform for sourcing and interaction in a one-on-one seller to buyer environment,” said Peggy Davies, president of PLMA. During the pre-show seminar programme on 30 May the of PLMA’s 2022 International “Salute to Excellence Awards” winners were announced.
PLMA Announces 2022 International “Salute to Excellence Awards” Winners
Sustainable products dominated the list of retailers that won a 2022 International “Salute to Excellence” Award from PLMA for innovation and quality in private label food, wine and non-food.
“The large number of sustainable and environmentally friendly products demonstrate the commitment of retailers to a greener planet,” said Peggy Davies, president of the Private Label Manufacturers Association.
The 78 award-winning food and non-food products were selected by international panels of judges, including former retailers, chefs, nutritionists and journalists.
Nearly 450 products introduced in the past year by 51 retailers in 20 countries were submitted for consideration.
Along with sustainability, other trends include:
- Focus on a safer and healthier lifestyle that responds to the consumer’s wish to “Keep me and my family safe and healthy in the future”.
- High quality Plant-based foods
- Foods from local farmers
- Indulgent desserts
- New flavours like muesli popcorn salted caramel and fermented black garlic.
Of the 78 awards, 27 awards went to retailers in Germany (14) and Italy (13). France and The Netherlands each won eight awards. The other 35 awards were divided between retailers from Ireland, Scandinavia, Iberian Peninsula, Turkey, South Africa and China.
German drugstore chain Dirk Rossmann received the most awards of any retailer, with seven awards for its innovation in food and non-food. It was followed by Monoprix from France, Aldi from The Netherlands, Musgrave Retail Partners from Ireland and Woolworths from South Africa all walked away with five awards each. MD Stores in Italy, EROSKI in Spain, Globus Markthallen in Germany and Carrefour in Turkey were honoured with four awards each.
In the Food category, winning products included Axfood’s Garant Pasta Sauce with Grana Padano and Lemon; EROSKI’s Fresh Gourmet Salad with fresh compartments; Monoprix’s Gourmet Foie Gras de Canard; Modelo Continente Hipermercados’s Continente Bio Raspberry Kombucha; Aldi Netherlands Schultenbräu IPA beer; and Rema 1000 Denmark crooked mini Spring Rolls with vegetables.
In the Non-Food category, winning products included Dirk Rossmann’s Eco Freude refill cleaning concentrates; Monoprix’s Washable and Reusable Double-Sided Make-up Remover Pads; A.S. Watson Benelux Kruidvat Natures Conditioner Solid Bar; Auchan organic and natural children’s toothpaste and Woolworths Earth Friendly Coco Scrubber.
International “Salute to Excellence Wine Awards”
In addition to food and non-food, the International Salute to Excellence Awards featured private label wines. More than 80 wines from 13 retailers in seven countries were considered. Wines were judged by varietal, style, and appellation for best quality and best value in 16 categories. A special mention was awarded for innovative packaging.
The judges included a Master of Wine, sommeliers, wine writers and retail industry professionals.
Dutch retailers earned 18 wine awards in total. Italy and Spain ranked second with five awards each; and Portugal was recognized three times. Denmark, which participated in the competition for the first time, earned a “best quality” award in French & German Reds for Dagrofa’s La Croix Jocas 6.0 Ventoux A.O.P. 2016.
Among the winners:
- Aldi from the Netherlands won an award for Best Value in the Verdejo category for its Valdechimoza Rueda D.O. Verdejo 2021.
- Metro from Germany was awarded Best Quality in the Rosé category for its Casalina di Siziano Nero d’Avola Rosato Sicilia D.O.C. 2021.
- Despar from Italy ranked first in Best Quality in Organic Wines for its Conte del Doss Franciacorta D.O.C. Pas Dosé Biologico.
- Albert Heijn from the Netherlands was recognized for Best Quality and Best Value in the “No or Low-Alcohol” category for its Free Feather Alcoholvrij Chardonnay.
- An innovative packaging award was awarded to Hema from The Netherlands for its Positive Rosé Wine Umbria I.G.T. 2021 & Positive White Wine Umbria I.G.T. 2021.
“I congratulate all the retailers that participated in this year’s award programme,” said Davies. “These awards prove that private label is leading the retail industry and giving shoppers the high-quality, high-value and great-tasting products they want.”
PLMA’s International “Salute to Excellence” Awards were established in 2014. For the full list of winners and to download photos, visit www.plmasalute.com.
Contact: Leonique White, Director Trade and Retail Relations PLMA International Council, email white@plma.nl
About PLMA
Founded in 1979, PLMA includes members that range from multinational corporations to small and medium sized companies. With executive offices in New York, an International Council office in Amsterdam and representatives across the globe, PLMA provides services to more than 3,500 members worldwide. PLMA presented its first trade show in the United States in 1980, its first trade show in Europe in 1986 and its first trade show in Asia in 1994.
