Private Label & Licensing Middle East (PLLME) returns in November (7th–9th) to welcome the world – live and in-person – at one of the world's safest venues, Dubai World Trade Centre.

An annual gathering ground for the region’s top retailers, distributors, discounters, HORECA, airlines and entrepreneurs looking to develop and widen their private label offerings, PLLME regularly welcomes buyers from Amazon, Lulu Hypermarkets, Carrefour, Emirates Flight Catering, Landmark Group, Aster Pharmacy, Rotana Group and many more, putting exhibitors directly in touch with key decision-makers who are otherwise impossible to reach.

Join the F&B industry’s brightest and best

Food & Beverage Networker learnt from numerous companies about why they will be participating in the event in November.

Ahmed Fayed, CEO & Managing Director of Egypt-based Green Line Production & Packaging, whose clients in the Egyptian market include Carrefour, Spinneys, Kazyon, Metro, Keir Zama and Fathallah (companies that represent 90 per cent of the country’s modern trade), said: “With the global rising demand for private label products, we are exhibiting at PLLME to find potential clients in MENA.”

Meanwhile, Devolli Corporation’s Project Development Manager, Albulena Haliti, advised that the event presented a good opportunity to show the quality of the Kosovo-based coffee producer’s products to companies in the Middle East. “We are planning on launching some new products that are currently being developed, and we look forward to understanding the coffee market in the Middle East and finding new clients here,” she informed.

The show also presents a significant opportunity to meet top retailers and generate new business, according to Intelligent Foods. John White, GM of the UAE-based food manufacturer, revealed: “Intelligent Foods is exhibiting this year to get access into the booming Middle East market, to generate business leads with clients that are looking for a manufacturing partner and to expand their reach into new territories with the region’s most prominent retail names attending the event.”

Beyond this, businesses are looking towards the event in November as a means of galvanising long-lasting relationships. “We are confident that Middle East and African markets have huge potential and demand for our dry goods,” asserted Piotr Szwajewski, Sales Executive at MAKANI – a Polish producer and distributor of broths, soups, sauces, bouillon cubes, and concentrated stocks. “We look forward to meeting reliable partners and establishing some long-term co-operation with retailers, distributors and HORECA sector.”

Private Label trends of the year

According to Traceone, which offers smart business solutions for CPG and retail, there are three clear trends shaping the Private Label innovation today, the first being ‘Health, Nutrition and Natural Products’. “Consumers are paying closer attention to product labelling to better understand ingredients and where their food has come from,” the firm said. “Retailers are adapting private label to offer improved nutritional value and sourcing to support the health agenda.”

Next up is ‘Sustainable Solutions’: “Today’s consumer cares about values just as much as value, and is willing to change their shopping habits and pay a premium to reduce their environmental impact,” Traceone stated. 

The final major trend Traceone identified is that of ‘Quality Indulgence and Treats’: “Premiumisation of private label remains a key way for retailers to drive basket size and margin,” it advised. “Demonstrating innovation and differentiation, they seek to offer high quality products -especially as an affordable treat while at home.”

Be part of the new retail revolution

As consumers' shopping habits evolve, many manufacturers and retailers are now looking towards new distribution and retailing channels and models, including D2C, Omnichannel Retailing, and Mobile Retailing. In tandem with such shifts, Private Label is rising to the fore. 

In fact, the Middle East & Africa region reports the world's highest perception improvement for the quality of private label products (79 per cent), according to consumer research from Nielsen.

Meanwhile, at the last Gulfood event in Dubai, some 55 per cent of exhibitors confirmed Private Label as one of the most important trends in the F&B industry.

Furthermore, the global packaged food private label market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 3.5 per cent from 2018-2024, according to Infinium, while Nielsen’s Senior VP of Retail Services, Oliver Deschamps, has stated that: Private Label will continue to grow in developed markets, as consumers are not reverting to previous shopping habits.”

Facilitating the fastest growing retail segment and accelerating many new business ventures, Private Label & Licensing Middle East is set to showcase the most advanced solutions from manufacturers in response to rapidly changing consumer demands. 

As the MENA region’s only Private Label and Licensing expo, the event is a unique opportunity to meet global private label suppliers offering a wide range of products within food and non-food FMCG segments to provide cost-saving solutions and quick turnarounds for all your manufacturing needs.

Running concurrently with the Speciality Food Festival, YUMMEX Middle East, and Gulfood Manufacturing, Private Label & Licensing Middle East returns to Dubai World Trade Centre from 7–9 November 2021. Special Early-bird rates expire on 30th June 2021. To check availability of booths, go to: https://event.prime-expo.com/BookaStand

To learn more about the event, visit: www.prime-expo.com