Great interest in private labels

The "World of Private Label 2006" exhibition, which was held on 30 and 31 May, turned out to be the biggest in the event's 21-year history so far. Staged at the RAI centre in Amsterdam, the fair attracted 7 000 visitors, who came to obtain an overview of the products displayed on more than 3 000 stands by manufacturers from more than 60 countries.
Brian Sharoff, president of PLMA, said that, "The lively participation at this year's World of Private Label and the increase of the market share of private labels throughout Europe, according to ACNielsen, show that retailers and wholesalers have chosen the private label as a strategic means of generating sales and optimising customer loyalty." For the first time retail brands have achieved a market share of 40 per cent in four countries: Britain, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium. In France and Spain private labels now represent one in three products sold