PLMA launches PLMA Live! for Europe

The Private Label Manufacturer’s Association (PLMA), New York, said it launched PLMA Live! for Europe. The monthly PLMA Live! video series will focus on major industry headlines, as well as analyze markets across Europe where private label might be poised for growth. The program, titled “The World of Private Label Today,” is available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

The online video news program is written and produced in Amsterdam and edited in New York. The series is hosted by Judith Kolenberg, PLMA administrator for special projects, and Edgar Elzerman, formerly vice president, own brands for Ahold USA and currently a retail and private brand consultant, PLMA said.

“The creation of plmalive.eu reflects important trends taking place in retailing in Europe,” explained Brian Sharoff, president, PLMA. “We are seeing many well-known supermarkets joining together in buying alliances. We are seeing significant cross-border expansion by discounters like Aldi and Lidl. At the same time, we are seeing large retailers withdrawing from emerging markets and concentrating their efforts inside their home countries. It is a dynamic situation which will have its impact sooner or later on U.S. retailing.”