Show Spotlight: PLMA’s 2026 Private Label Trade Show
PLMA’s 2026 Private Label Trade Show will take place Nov. 15–17 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, bringing manufacturers and retailers together to explore new products and opportunities across categories, including pet care.
Private label pet products enter this year’s show with momentum. According to Circana data provided to PLMA, pet care store brand unit sales rose 5.4 percent in 2025, while dollar sales increased 3.7 percent, reaching records of 1 billion units and $5.6 billion, respectively. Store brands accounted for 18.1 percent of pet care unit sales and 17.2 percent of dollar sales.
“Rising sales are a clear indicator that pet parents are increasingly turning to private label for the care and feeding of their animal companions,” Dan Weil, Senior Director, Chicago Trade Show, PLMA, said earlier this year. “As a result, savvy retailers across the country with comprehensive store brand programs are enjoying the ride.”
“For our 2026 Show, we are expecting another broad representation of the best-in-class pet care suppliers in our industry,” Weil said. “We are placing special emphasis this year on animal wellness, accessories and treats, responding to what we are hearing from retailers at the Show who plan to restock and even expand their private label offerings.”
The accompanying exhibitor list highlights participating companies across pet food and treats, grooming, care and accessories, along with their booth locations. PLMA President Peggy Davies encourages attendees to arrive prepared.
“My main advice is to plan ahead,” Davies said. “With more than 35,000 products across three exhibit halls, no one sees everything in a single visit. We encourage attendees to line up their priorities and still leave room for unplanned discovery.”
“On Monday morning, John Conlin, Senior Vice President of Food and Beverage Merchandising at Target, and on Tuesday, Abby Cook, Senior Vice President of Own Brands at Ahold Delhaize USA, will each describe how their companies build and run their store brand programs. Those sessions are meant to give attendees something they can use the moment they step onto the Show floor, whether that is a way of framing a pitch or a clearer read on what a retail partner is looking for,” relayed Davies.
“It starts with recruitment and how we organize the floor,” Davies shared of how the trade show floor comes together. “Our retail trade relations team brings in buyers from every format: supermarkets, supercenters, drug chains, wholesale clubs, dollar stores, specialty, mass, e-commerce and convenience.”
Other programming includes the Salute to Excellence Awards, the World of Ideas and the Retail Trends area.
“Retailers gain a firsthand look at emerging trends and new product concepts, while exhibitors benefit from meaningful conversations with decision-makers who can move opportunities forward,” Davies explained. “The result is faster collaboration, stronger partnerships, and a direct path from new ideas to new opportunities on the shelf. The Show helps businesses shorten timelines, reduce guesswork, and accelerate their private brand strategies.”
