Global Retail Brands October 2023

This issue celebrates the winners of the Tenth Annual Vertex Retail Brand Design Competition. We congratulate the retailers and designers who are willing and more than able to elevate their own brands to the level they deserve. This competition was and is the brainchild of Christopher Durham and I was an eager accomplice. More than ten years ago we each wanted to recognize the side of the business that wasn’t simply business as usual, but instead, strived to break away from the mundane national brand look-alikes and treat their own brands like real brands.

Today, great design for private label is no longer the exception, but a fundamental requirement. I’ll share some insight from my ten years of serving as a judge for Vertex - there has been a lot of truly bad design entered, especially in the early years. And there is no doubt a connection between poor design and poor retail results for those brands. But more importantly, the reverse is true as well. Great design delivers great results.

But there’s more than meets the eye. I’ve been in this (and other) business long enough to have come to this unscientific conclusionCompanies that pay close attention to design tend to pay close attention to all other aspects of their business including their employees, the customer experience and their suppliers. There’s a mentality that appreciates good design and that mentality permeates all facets of a company.

We’re thrilled to be back at Anuga Cologne and are excited for another PLMA Chicago in just a few weeks. While attending these events, look for the companies that take design seriously and see if you agree with me. Hope you enjoy this issue.

Thanks for your time and kind regards,

Phillip Russo Founder / Editor phillip@globalretailmag.com

THE STORE BRANDS PHENOMENON

PLMA Chicago is truly a global event. Hundreds of exhibitors from more than 50 countries in Europe, Latin America and Asia will be showcased, including over 30 national pavilions. International suppliers will display food and non-food throughout the North, South and Sky Halls. Unique, sustainable products as well as authentic flavors and ingredients from their origin countries will greet buyers seeking to satisfy the evolving tastes and needs of today’s sophisticated consumers. Here are some of the national pavilions at PLMA's 2023 "THE STORE BRANDS PHENOMENON" Private Label Trade Show:

UNITED

For more information, call +1 212 972-3131 or e-mail info@plma.com.

by

WHERE RETAILERS AND SUPPLIERS MEET

Phillip Russo EDITOR / PUBLISHER phillip@globalretailmag.com

Jacco van Laar BRAND AMBASSADOR jacco@globalretailmag.com

Melissa Subatch

CREATIVE DIRECTOR info@melissasubatchdesign.com

Andrew Quinn DIGITAL DIRECTOR andrew.quinniii@gmail.com

Luisa Colombo Italian Business Development luisa@globalretailmag.com

Sabine Geissler GREENTASTE.IT Italian Business Development s.geissler@greentaste.it

CONTRIBUTORS

Perry Seelert Emerge perry@emergefromthepack.com

Christopher Durham Velocity Institure cdurham@retailbrandsinstitute.org

Maria Dubuc Marketing By Design mdubuc@mbdesign.com

Hans Kraak Kraak Media kraakmedia@gmail.com

Elena Sullivan sullivan.elena@gmail.com

Tom Prendergast PLMA tprendergast@plma.com

Rebecca Hamilton The Fish Agency Rebecca@therealfish.agency

Published, Trademarked and all rights reserved by: Kent Media Phillip Russo, Principal 45 Upper Kent Hollow Road Kent, CT 06757 Tel. +1 917 743 6711

All rights reserved under the Library of Congress. No part of this publication may be r eproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in writing by the copyright owner. Opinions expressed by contributors are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.

Global Retail Brands is published 4 times a year.

Editorial Submissions phillip@globalretailmag.com

Advertising Inquiries – EUROPE luisa@globalretailmag.com

Advertising Inquiries – AFRICA, AMERICAS, ASIA, AUSTRALIA, MIDDLE EAST phillip@globalretailmag.com

Subscription Information phillip@globalretailmag.com

MORE GROWERS. MORE POSSIBILITIES.

Celebrating 50 Years of Loving What We Grow

Cherry Central is a global fruit and juice supplier, owned and operated by a family farm cooperative with the most geographically diverse grower base in North America..

Cherry Central offers a dynamic mix of fruit and format variety, supported by the most resilient supply and solutions-oriented service, so you can meet your customer needs and exciting market opportunities better, faster, and more reliably.

Let’s make what we love to grow into what your customers love to buy.

MARIA DUBUC

A creative and workflow expert in the retail landscape, Maria’s 30-year career translates branding experiences into eye-catching design that is unique and distinct for each client. he has created new private brands and redesigned/repositioned existing brands with leading retailers, while also implementing workflow management systems specifically tailored to the clients’ needs. Current clients include The Home Depot, Smart & Final, PetSmart, 7-Eleven, PriceSmart, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Sprouts Farmers Market, WinCo Foods, Natural Grocers and more. With SKU counts from 1,000 to more than 10,000 annually.reinvention and innovative execution.

CHRISTOPHER DURHAM

President of the Velocity Institute

Prior to this he founded the groundbreaking site My Private Brand. He is the co-founder of The Vertex Awards. He began his retail career building brands at Food Lion and Lowe’s Home Improvement. Durham has worked with retailers around the world, including Albertsons, Family Dollar, Petco, Staples, Office Depot, Best Buy, Metro Canada. Durham has published seven definitive books on private brands, including Fifty2: The My Private Brand Project and Vanguard: Vintage Originals.

MARK FIELD

Mark Field has extensive technical and commercial experience in the international food manufacturing and retail industries, having worked at a senior level across the European red meat and poultry industry for some of the world’s most reputable companies. Mark has formed strategic relationships with iconic brands McDonalds and KFC, and leading UK retailers including: Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Walmart.

REBECCA HAMILTON

Rebecca is the CEO of award-winning Fish Agency and sister agency Whitespace Brands Inc. With over 30 years of experience, she has established herself as one of North America’s leaders in the fields of strategic branding, retail design, and communications for clients in the retail sector. Under Rebecca’s oversight, the Fish Agency brings brands to life at retail and has consistently delivered high ROIgenerating retail experiences for its clients. She mentors and leads highly experienced and integrated teams that provide store design, package design for CPG and private brands, digital/social initiatives, “phygital” experiences, and advertising services.

HANS KRAAK

Hans Kraak is educated in biology and journalism and wrote three books about nutrition and health. He worked for the Dutch ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food quality and the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. As editor in chief he publishes in the Dutch Magazine for Nutrition and Dietetics, as a food and wine writer he published in Meininger’s Wine Business International and reports for PLMA Live EU and PLMA USA.

PASCAL RUZIUS

Founder of Cibus Nexum and an agricultural engineer with 25 years of experience at FMCG companies and global outsourcing projects.

PERRY SEELERT

A retail branding and marketing expert, with a passion for challenging conventional strategy and truths. Perry is the Strategic Partner and Co-founder of Emerge, a strategic marketing consultancy dedicated to helping Retailers, Manufacturers and Services grow exponentially and differentiate with purpose.

ROSIE TOBYN

Rosie is the newest addition to SGK’s European consulting team, bringing business consulting experience as well as consultative selling skills. Rosie holds recognised professional training qualifications across Change Management, Business Analysis and Project Management. Prior to joining SGK, Rosie worked on several initiatives including technology implementations, uplifting internal capabilities, and managing training rollouts. Rosie is passionate about working collaboratively, challenging the norm and prioritizing customer-centric values.

PACIFIC COAST PRODUCERS & AMERICAN FARMERS: GROWING TOGETHER SINCE 1971

SEPTEMBER

VELOCITY SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE

Austin, TX

26 – 27 SEPTEMBER

www.velocityinstitute.org

NOVEMBER

COSMOPROF ASIA

Hong Kong, China

14 – 17 NOVEMBER

www.cosmoprof-asia.com

OCTOBER

TOY FAIR

New York, NY

30 SEPT – 3 OCTOBER

www.toyfairny.com

DECEMBER

COSMOPROF ASIA

Mumbai, India

7 – 9 DECEMBER

www.cosmoprofindia.com

ANUGA

Cologne, Germany

7 – 11 OCTOBER

www.anuga.com

JANUARY

MARCA BOLOGNA

Bologna, Italy

16 – 17 JANUARY

www.marca.bolognafiere.it/en

NOVEMBER

PLMA US TRADE SHOW

Chicago, IL

12 – 14 NOVEMBER

www.plma.com

ISM COLOGNE

Cologne, Germany

28 – 31 JANUARY

www.ism-cologne.com

When planning your 2024 calendar, make sure to leave time for PLMA’s “World of Private Label” International Trade Show in Amsterdam.

More than 2.700 private label manufacturers from 75 countries will show their best products to retailers, wholesalers and other private label buyers. In total, nearly 30.000 trade professionals from 120 countries will get together in Amsterdam to start or strengthen partnerships, identify innovation and plan for growth in the years ahead. The show is a not-to-be-missed event for anyone involved in private label.

Go to www.plma.nl for more information

Grab Your Passport And Explore Authentic Global Flavors at PLMA Show Chicago

International Specialty Foods and Nonfoods Will be in the Spotlight at PLMA’s U.S. Private Label Trade Show, 12 - 14 November, Chicago.

Attendees at PLMA’s 2023 U.S. Private Label Trade Show will get a culinary tour of authentic ethnic foods from around the world as they walk the show floor. That’s because 45% of the show floor is represented by companies from outside the U.S. There will be more than 30 national pavilions featuring international food and nonfoods from countries in Europe, South America and Asia. This year’s U.S. show will be held November 12-14 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago. With more than 1,600 exhibiting companies and 5,000 attendees, it’s the largest event for store brands in North America.

The U.S. Private Label Trade Show is trulyaglobalevent,featuringgourmet productsfrommorethan50countries, saidPLMAPresidentPeggyDavies. Attendees will discover a cross-cultural fusionofauthenticfoodandbeverages from around the world.

New pavilions this year include Belgium (Wallonia Region), Brazil, Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, South Korea, Thailand, Ukraine and the U.K. They join expanded pavilions for Canada, Italy, France, Australia, Turkey and Serbia, along with pavilions for Belgium

(Flanders region), Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, Greece, Guatemala, Israel, Jordan, Peru, South Africa and Spain.

Among the products on display in the pavilions and elsewhere on the show floor:

• Wines from South Africa

• Flavored liqueurs from Portugal

• Frozen and refrigerated meals

• Belgian chocolates

• Fruits from Chile

• Rice from Thailand and Brazil

• Greek olives and more

In addition to food and beverages, a wide variety of international nonfoods will be showcased. The international presence of nonfoods at the show has grown a whopping 75% from last year. This includes cookware from Italy; beauty and cosmetic products from South Korea; laundry detergents from Turkey; skincare from Spain, and household wipes from China.

The focus on international products comes at a time when an increasing number of shoppers crave global cuisines. Retailers have responded with authentic specialty private brands. Among them: Midwest grocery retailer Hy-Vee has a full line of authentic Italian pasta, sauce, oils and other products under the Gustare Vita private brand, while Lidl sells authentic Belgian chocolate as part of its Preferred Selection line.

Along with authentic international products, PLMA’s 2023 “THE STORE BRANDS PHENOMENON” U.S. Private Label Trade Show will feature dozens of other product categories, including wine and spirits; shelf-stable groceries; plant-based foods, beverages; fresh, frozen and refrigerated products; organics; foodservice products; beauty and cosmetics; pet care;

personal and self-care; household and laundry; OTC pharmaceuticals; vitamins and supplements; paper and plastics; kitchenware and general merchandise.

“As retailers continue to evolve their private label programs, shoppers are quickly realizing that they can find the same product quality and benefits at a much better value from retailers with strong private label programs,” said another retail executive.

In addition to the exhibit floor, the show's program schedule includes thought-provoking seminar presentations and breakfast sessions addressing key industry topics. PLMA offers many pre-show services and special on-site exhibits. PLMA's Show Navigator is a comprehensive resource for the show where all registrants will find the following details:

• Exhibitors

Why is the U.S. Private Label Trade Show Held in Chicago?

PLMA’s 2023 U.S. Private Label Trade Show is a Gold 100 honoree, acknowledging it as one of the largest trade shows in North America. This is why its Chicago location, which has been home to the PLMA Show for 43 years, is ideal, said Anthony Aloia, PLMA’s Corporate VP.

“The Store Brands Phenomenon” theme is fitting at a time of record private label growth and expansion, retailers said.

Phenomenonmeanstheresurgence andfuturegrowthofprivatelabel, one retailer told PLMA. The store brandsindustryisprimedtogrow, astheeconomyrepresents challengesformanyshoppers.

Retail buyers said they look forward to sampling new products and learning about short- and long-term trends.

• Product Announcements

• PLMA's Idea Supermarket

• Trade Show Facts

• Show Floor Plan

• Sunday Afternoon Seminars and Monday and Tuesday Breakfast sessions

Show Navigator is launched 30 days prior to the show. During the show, Show Navigator is a mobile-friendly tool accessible to all attendees over a dedicated Wi-Fi network.

For more information, contact PLMA at +1-212-972-3131, email info@plma.com or visit www.plma.com

"A show of our size requires more than 1 million square feet of exhibition space and the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, in the bustling Rosemont area, is one of the few venues in the U.S. that can accommodate a show this large and complex,” Aloia said.

Chicago is also geographically convenient to reach for most attendees. “O’Hare International Airport offers nearly 1,000 daily direct flights to some 200 U.S. cities,” Aloia noted.

In addition, there are more than 100 daily direct flights to scores of international destinations. The venue and the surrounding hotels are minutes from O'Hare.

"And don't forget the vibrancy of one of the world's great cities. Every year, many of our participants make time to visit the city, its museums and galleries; shopping, historical and cultural places; as well as its neighborhoods, restaurants and sporting events," Aloia added.

Spotlight on: PLMALive.eu

INTERVIEW WITH Judith Kolenburg, News Anchor

PLMAlive.eu has been delivering industry news via video broadcast for 8 years. As the news anchor, can you recall the initial broadcast?

Yes I do remember the first broadcast, exactly 8 years ago. I presented the News Desk together with co-anchor Edgar Elzerman and we reported on the retail landscape in Italy and the rise of the discounters in that first edition. Later, more reporters were added to the PLMALive team.

We walked PLMA’s trade show in May together, and people recognized you from PLMAlive, taking a photo with you, the broadcast is thus quite popular and broadly watched. That must feel real good?

Of course we are happy that PLMALive.eu is a success. It is a team effort, we have a reporter pool that alternates in the monthly News Desks with a report. Then we have the monthly Interview by Edgar Elzerman who speaks extensively with people that are making news in the world of private label: retailers, manufacturers, researchers, EU officials, investors, consultants, you name it. Behind the scenes is an in-house production team that organises, videotapes, edits and puts everything ready for broadcast.

PLMAlive.eu is a source of information, exploring various relevant topics in private label. How do you decide on the topics that you cover.

The research department follows the news closely, globally, with a special focus on Europe. We keep track of all relevant topics for the private label industry and each month the team discusses and decides on the topics or interviewees for the upcoming edition.

To stay updated, PLMA members and retailers automatically receive the industry broadcast, how does that work?

Once a month, all PLMA Members and registrants receive an email to notify them of the new News Desk topics or Interviews. They then simply click on a link that brings them to the PLMALive website and latest broadcast. So to stay on top of the news and developments in the industry, just keep an eye out for our email notifications.

PLMA - A Unique Organization for a Unique Industry

The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) is the largest trade association solely dedicated to the private label industry. With offices in New York and in Amsterdam, PLMA covers the interests of the industry globally, whether one does business in Europe, the Americas, or elsewhere. PLMA provides platforms targeted for international sourcing and innovation endeavours and organises programmes to further private label.

EXECUTIVE EDUCATION

EXECUTIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMME

Universtiteit Nyenrode

For more than 20 years, thousands of CEO’s, managers, directors, sales and marketing staff from manufacturers and retailers across the world have attended PLMA’s annual International Executive Education Programme to optimise understanding of the private label industry. Conducted on campus at Nyenrode Business Universiteit, participants learn and actively discuss private label strategies, supply chain challenges, concentration on innovation & retail trends, and much more. Apart from lectures and workshop sessions, there is time for networking with peers and lecturers during store tours, lunches and dinners.

LUNCH & LEARN

Online Speaker Series Exclusively for PLMA Members and Retailers

Several times a year, PLMA provides its member manufacturers and retailers with an opportunity to expand their knowledge of the private label business through dedicated one-hour webinars. During lunch hours, registrants nourish their intellect and satisfy their appetite for knowledge by attending an interactive online session designed to future-proof their private label business and help ensure success in years to come.

PLMA’S WORLD OF PRIVATE LABEL

28 and 29 May 2024 – Amsterdam

ANNUAL ROUNDTABLE CONFERENCE

PLMA’s Annual Roundtable Conference provides an excellent opportunity to create new business contacts in an informal setting while receiving the latest industry insights from a host of speakers, presenters and panelists. The conference rotates between European cities and includes store visits to important retailers of the respective country.

PLMALIVE.EU

Video News to Stay Informed

PLMA’s monthly news video-broadcast touches on the latest topics that the industry is facing through extensive reporting and in-depth research. One-on-one interviews with top executives in private label give insights and views on current events, as well as future outlooks.

INTERNATIONAL

INTERNATIONAL E-SCANNER

Online Newsletter

A quick and easy way to stay updated on industry news across Europe with articles on retail, channel and format developments, legal issues that affect the private label business, product and packaging innovation, consumer trends and private label marketing and merchandising.

ANNUAL YEARBOOK

Status of Private Label Market Shares

PLMA member manufacturers and retailers have free access to the latest statistics on private label market shares and development in 17 countries across Europe. Created by NielsenIQ, the Yearbook provides information on thousands of products that can be easily analysed. The Yearbook helps identify categories where private label penetration growth is possible and serves as a benchmark for your company’s private label strategy.

For more than thirty-five years, PLMA’s “World of Private Label” International Trade Show has brought retailers, wholesalers, and other private label professionals together with manufacturers to help them find new products, make new contacts, and discover new ideas that will help their private label programmes succeed and grow. The show allows to identify current trends, innovation and new product developments in the private label industry and is efficiently organised in a short time frame for optimal use of time.

FREE PRE-SHOW SEMINARS

27 May 2024 – Amsterdam

PLMA organises a pre-show seminar programme with free access for all registered visitors and exhibitors of the "World of Private Label" trade show. Key-note speakers will present latest private label market shares and future outlooks based on in-depth research. Additional sessions include industry experts, as well as the announcement of the winning retailers of PLMA’s 2024 International Salute to Excellence Awards.

VISIT:

&

PLMA’s

Idea Supermarket

New Product Expo area

Prepare your visit or walk the aisle and dive into the world of private label, source, connect and grow your business, don’t miss the private label event of the year! Get inspired by the latest trends, product development and new private label ranges at Idea Supermarket and New Product Expo area. Check out the winners of PLMA’s International Salute to Excellence Awards. All this is found in one single area, centrally located in the RAI Elicium building.

PLMA

PLMA’s Roundtable CONFERENCE

INDUSTRY

Sourcing

Certified Origins sprouted from humble beginnings when a small collective of olive farmers in rural Tuscany, Italy, joined their passion for producing fresh, authentic extra virgin olive oil. We are still cooperative-owned to this day, and from extra virgin olive oil to tomato sauce, we are an industry leader in sustainable sourcing and authentic food programs. We select the best quality ingredients and develop custom recipes and packaging to meet your wholesale needs, all verified by our advanced traceability and production line technology.

This confidence and trust built over decades means we can guarantee the quality of our products, and gives us access to scale.

Production

We have a state-of-the-art, 4.0 production lines for traceable extra virgin olive oil. Using innovative Internet of Things (IoT) technology framework, we have optimal production efficiency and continuous monitoring to ensure supply consistency with faster planning of production and related shipments.

Distribution and Warehousing

Our international distribution and warehousing network and services mean we can deliver anywhere in the globe within 4-8 weeks, and in as short as 2 days in the USA and Canada.

Research and Traceability

Since 2019 we have invested over $1 Million in Research & Development in transparency & traceability.

We are certified as ISO 22005 to guarantee traceability and are the first olive oil company operating on Oracle blockchain technology to ensure transparency. Using this innovative Oracle blockchain and new 4.0 Production IoT technologies, we track each shipment to reduce the risk of information manipulation at the source, while ensuring food supply chain transparency.

At Certified Origins, we are also pioneering and investing in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technology to verify EVOO origin authenticity. This research is in partnership with the University of Salento and can verify the Extra Virgin Olive Oil origin authenticity. A large private database of unique «fingerprints» with +1k different origin olive oils is able to provide scientific support to EVOO authenticity, and each year our database increases by hundreds of samples to further improve the accuracy of the results.

Sustainability Intiatives

● Carbon Neutrality:

Certified Origins launched multiple lines of carbon-neutral Italian EVOOs under its flagship brand Bellucci.

● Plastic: Certified Origins is working with leading packaging solution suppliers to phase out plastic film from multi-packs. Innovative high-tech vegetable fibers offer the same strength and lightweight performance.

● Pet 50% Recycled: Certified Origins converted PET used for packaging from virgin material to 50% recycled material.

● Green Energy: Certified Origins uses energy supplied by photovoltaic panels and olive pits as a fuel source.

Strong Participation at Anuga Frozen Food

100 years of deep-freezing - the frozen food industry is celebrating the day of its inception at the world’s largest trade fair for the food industry.

Frozen products are highly popular at Anuga. Hence, for over 600 companies from 56 countries Anuga Frozen Food is the leading export platform for the global frozen food industry. As such, in this special anniversary year 2023 - flash freezing was namely invented 100 years ago - the trade fair is back with a strong participation. Additionally, there is a diversified event program, which is once again being supported by the long-standing Anuga partner, the German Institute for Frozen Foods (dti). The dti is the lobby and communication platform of the frozen food industry in Germany, which stands for a turnover of around Euro 18.5 billion and which reliablysupplies 80 million people with frozen food every day.

“We are delighted that the international frozen food sector is using Anuga as a central platform for its business and is taking the anniversary year as an opportunity to meet up in Cologne. This year, together with our strong partner, dti, we are offering a versatile program with new impulses from and for the industry,” emphasized Jan Philipp Hartmann, Director of Anuga.

“The dti and the frozen food industry are looking ahead to Anuga, our global frozen food marketplace, with great anticipation,” dti Executive Director, Sabine Eichner, stated. “Frozen food is not only achieving record turnovers in Germany, the international business is also experiencing high growth. Frozen food is a future category. Frozen food is the driving force and game changer for the challenges in the area of more sustainable food systems – Anuga’s motto ‘Sustainable Growth’ harmonizes perfectly with our industry. We are looking forward to engaging in an exchange with our members and guests, with frozen food fans from all over the globe – at our stand and during the

many event highlights we are offering for the industry in Cologne.”

The leading exhibitors at Anuga Frozen Food include among others Agrarfrost (Germany), Aviko (Netherlands), Clarebout (Belgium), Lutosa, (Belgium), McCain (France) and Surgital (Italy). Other frozen food suppliers can also be found at the Anuga Out of Home, Anuga Meat and Anuga Bread & Bakery trade fairs, among others. The product spectrum ranges from fish and meat, fruit and vegetables, ready meals, bread & bakery products, ice cream, pizza, potato products to bulk packs for customers from the communal catering and gastronomy sectors.

continued on page 26

NOTABLE

continued from page 26

An overview of the international frozen food market

According to the recently published report by Future Market Insights, the worldwide market for frozen food made a turnover to the value of US Dollar 314 billion in the year 2022 and with an annual growth rate of 6.7% this will increase up to US Dollar 602 billion by 2032. The consumers’ preference for food that is fast and simple to prepare is driving the growth. The average annual growth of the category frozen food was 9.0% between 2017 and 2022.

The popularity of frozen food dishes that are fast to prepare like pizza, but also of fresh frozen food components for self-cooking such as vegetables and

fish and the high quality and freshness of frozen food have further increased the demand for frozen products. The concentration on high-quality frozen products both in the branded and private label section, the depiction of current trends such as vegan and vegetarian in the range of frozen foods is also promoting market growth by satisfying the fast-changing consumer needs.

Growth has also been recorded in Germany: According to the dti sales statistics, the sales of frozen food in the food retail sector amounted to 1.974 million tons in 2022, which was over six percent up on 2019 (1.861 million tons). The out-of-home market experienced significant growth in 2022 after the end of the COVID restrictions: The frozen food sales rose by 14.9 percent up to 1.935 million tons (2021: 1.684 million tons, 2019: 1.973 million tons). Hence, the present record figure of 2019 was already almost achieved again.

Frozen food events and trends at Anuga

The freshness of the products, a healthy diet and of course ingredients are the aspects that people personally find the most important regarding food (74-89 percent). Vegetarian or vegan alternatives come at the bottom of the list (so far). These mega trends are also proving to be stable in the current fifth frozen food trend barometer survey of the dti. Due to the ongoing high inflation in Germany, a low price continues to be very relevant for the consumers (67 percent). As usual, as an official partner of Anuga Frozen Food and Anuga Out-of-Home, the dti will once again be represented at a stand in Hall 4.2, B11/C10, which is traditionally a popular point of contact for all its members, visitors and those with an interest in frozen food. This is where the German frozen food industry meets with guests from all over the world for industry discussions.

Cool Delights Await!

Frostkrone Finger Foods for the Refrigerated Counter

After a busy day, imagine making a quick stop at the supermarket. You head to the chilled cabinets, searching for a tasty, easy-to-prepare snack to enjoy at home. This is a familiar scenario for many working folks, and nowadays, they’re seeking even more variety and choices. That’s where Frostkrone Food Group comes in, adding a dash of excitement to the refrigerated counter with four brandnew, delectable finger food options.

If you’re a cheese lover, these newcomers are a treat you won’t want to miss:

Chilled Crispy Emmentaler Sticks bring a touch of coziness to your routine with their zesty aroma, creamy centre, and satisfying crunch.

Chilled Spicy Mozzarella Sticks put a fiery twist on the well-loved classic by combining the mildness of mozzarella with a kick of chili spice.

Chilled Queso Potato Balls feature a crispy exterior, revealing a creamy, flavourful nacho cheese core nestled in delicious mashed potato.

Chilled Grill Käse Sticks are a dream come true; grilled cheese encased in a light, golden-brown tempura batter.

Earlier this year, the company introduced their beloved classics –Mozzarella Sticks, Gouda Rings, and Chili Cheese Nuggets – in the chilled section.

Looking forward, Frostkrone Food Group is committed to consistently expanding their range, offering retailers and food services an even wider selection to present to consumers. Emiel Lommen, Global Commercial Director of Frostkrone Food Group, notes, “Our unique advantage lies in our independence from raw materials. We have a treasure trove of resources for new product concepts. Furthermore, with our extensive experience, we’ve already curated an impressive assortment in the frozen foods category.” Lommen adds, “Our aim is to captivate not only with frozen delights but also with a diverse range of innovative finger foods and snacks in the realm of freshness.”

Long-Lasting Freshness

And there’s more – thanks to advanced technology, Frostkrone Food Group ensures that these chilled convenience products stay tantalizingly fresh for a remarkably long time.

www.frostkrone-foodgroup.com

The Leading European Producer Of Canned Legumes, Peeled And Pulped Tomatoes

La Doria S.p.A. is an Italian company based in Angri, Salerno that specializes in producing vegetable food preserves, including tomato derivatives, ready-made sauces, canned legumes, juices, and fruit drinks. In 2022, they reported consolidated revenues of 1.018 billion euros with a workforce of 898 employees.

Today, La Doria is the leading European producer of canned legumes, peeled and pulped tomatoes in the retail segment and among the leading Italian producers of fruit juices and beverages. The Company is also Europe’s leading producer of private label pasta sauces.

The Company can claim leadership positions in particularly competitive foreign markets such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan. It ranks first in the UK market for the production of private label tomato derivatives and baked beans.

In addition to private labels, the Group also produces under the La Doria brand, which has been on the market for about 60 years, Vivi G / Vi G bio (for fruit juices), La Romanella (for the Discount channel), Althea, Bella Parma (for ready-made sauces) and other major Italian and international brands (copacking).

High-quality products at competitive prices, high service level and volumes, breadth and depth of the product range as well as segmentation of the offer are all key factors on which La Doria leverages. Also increasingly important are credentials in terms of sustainability and in particular our pivot to the environment and responsible supply chain management.

The majority of La Doria’s revenue, over 80%, comes from foreign markets. The company operates with considerable shares in England,

Germany, rest of Europe, Australia and Japan, and aims to strengthen its presence in high-potential markets such as the U.S., Asia and the Far East with specific products related to local taste and consumption habits. In the UK, La Doria, is the first company to export tomato derivatives and preserved legumes (baked beans) under private label, while in Australia and Japan it is the first company to export tomato derivatives. About 97 % of sales are generated by private labels, industrial brands and co-packing have been growing strongly in recent years.

commerciale.estero@gruppoladoria.it commerciale.italia@gruppoladoria.it

Innovation and Sustainability From Lucart Group

Lucart, a major European manufacturer of thin MG paper for flexible packaging, is a key player in the consumer goods and away-from-home markets as a producer and transformer of tissue and airlaid paper. Its attention to people, sustainable processes, and approach to innovation means they offer cutting-edge products that meet market challenges and customers’ needs.

Fiberpack® is their flagship project in this field: it combines advanced technology and environmentally friendly processes, demonstrating that circular economy principles are fully applicable to the tissue sector.

Lucart created this project starting from the idea of using all the elements of beverage cartons according to circular economy principles. The production process relies on an innovative technology that separates the cellulose fibers found in beverage cartons from polyethylene and aluminum by physical-mechanical action. With this technology, they avoid substances that may be harmful to people or the environment. They produce tissue products with the fibers obtained through this process and recover the aluminum and polyethylene, converting them into a homogeneous material called Al.Pe.®, which other industries use to produce various items.

The tons of Fiberpack® paper Lucart has produced from 2013 to 2021 have contributed to the recovery of more than 7.6 billion beverage cartons, saving more than 3.3 million trees and preventing more than 195,000 t of CO2e from being emitted into the atmosphere.

Lucart’s continuous research and development work has led to many projects aiming to improve the quality and performance of its products. One such project has led to the innovative QMilk® process, which makes it possible to extract and transform the basic proteins in milk into a soft and precious fiber without using chemical agents. The process preserves the amino acids, and all the moisturizing and nourishing properties of milk in the resulting fiber. It guarantees a 100% natural formula that is dermatologically tested, ultrasoft, and highly resistant.

Lucart is also the only brand in its target market to offer Airlaid products with exceptional absorbency and strength performance. The Airlaid technology uses long, highly resistant cellulose fibers that never come into contact with

water during the production process (dry paper) to remain super absorbent. Fibers treated with this process naturally form a “dam” structure, offering outstanding results: can absorb up to 7 times its weight and, thanks to its exceptional resistance, can be reused up to 20 times, compared to 1 or 2 for competitive products.

Lucart is a company made up of people who choose to use innovative and sustainable processes in development, transformation, and manufacturing of paper products, collaborating responsibly for the future of their business and the planet.

Lucart has always been at the forefront of the study of innovative packaging able to reduce the environmental impact of its products. After launching the world’s first line of toilet paper with materbi corn starch packaging in 1997, the company created a series of products with entirely plastic-free packaging in 2019.

paper cloth the

The unique AIRLAID Paper

The exclusive Airlaid Technology, which uses air instead of water to produce a special paper fabric of cellulose fibers, enhances the performance of Tutto the paper cloth, giving it high resistance, even when wet, and increased absorption power. Tutto the paper cloth is dermatologically tested and is suitable for contact with food.

CULTURE. EXCELLENCE. INNOVATION.

The Valsa Group is a top producer of frozen, chilled, and ambient pizzas and snacks. Their main objective is to spread the authentic Italian food culture worldwide. Their head office is situated in Valsamoggia, at the heart of Italy. “Although our history started here, our roots expand from the North to the South through our 10 factories, following a purely Italian business journey.”

Their daily commitment could be easily summed up: CULTURE . EXCELLENCE . INNOVATION.

The Valsa Group has introduced a new line of pizzas called “Pizza al Metro”. This concept is designed to showcase the traditional Italian method of ordering pizzas in large slabs that can stretch up to one meter in length. Many pizzerias offer these pizzas in quarter, half, one meter, or even meter multiples, making it easier for customers to order according to their desired length.

A real Italian product with a unique aromatic profile made from selected grains, natural long leavening, and traditional hand stretching. Perfect for retailers looking to transport their customers to Italy with just one bite.

The group’s strategic strength is the combination between traditional manufacturing process and a greater focus on convenience for the consumer, keeping the highest quality standards: in contemporary market, convenience supported by premium quality, is essential to create value into supply chain.

The Valsa Group is a reputable and established business partner in 50 countries across the globe. Their success is attributed to their sustainable practices, efficient production capacity, seamless organizational integration, and innovative convenience solutions. They are

particularly dedicated to promoting process transparency, reducing waste, and utilizing green energy.

Through the brands Valpizza, La Pizza+1, Forno Ludovico, Megic Pizza, Ghiottelli, Il Borgo and Tuscanya Bakery, Valsa Group is the unique large-scale and highly qualified partner able to supply a wide range of items in each category, from frozen to deli.

info@valsagroup.it

Freedom Of Choice Is A Right; Clearly Communicating The Characteristics Of A Product Is A Duty

Over the past few years, there has been a growing trend of critical consumers who carefully consider the characteristics of the products they purchase. Instead of being swayed by attractive packaging, these consumers prefer to read and comprehend the contents. They prioritize ethical, environmental, and health criteria when deciding what to buy, rather than relying on the convenience or self-promotion of the producer.

Supermarkets are stocking more and more products labeled as vegan. However, it’s important to question if all of these products are truly vegan.

Nowadays, with the rise of vegan and plant-based products, consumers are faced with a plethora of brands, symbols, and slogans claiming to offer these characteristics.

If consumers are entitled to make informed decisions about their purchases, then it is essential that information regarding the advertised product is accurately reported.

This is what the V-Label brand does: it helps manufacturers report the vegan characteristic of their product so consumers can make informed purchasing decisions.

The V-Label brand predates the vegan or plant-based trends currently dominating marketplaces: it was established in 1976 and has from that time always been a trusted guide for consumers. Easy to recognize, it is currently the leading brand in the vegetarian, vegan and raw vegan product certification, and identification industry.

The brand is recognized globally and has consistent standards for awarding brand certification, ensuring consumers and producers receive the same level of quality control regardless of where items are produced or sold.

The V-Label brand has never permitted self-declaration as a method of verification: every ingredient, accessory, and production method is verified by means of document checks and frequent inspection visits in order to safeguard consumers’ freedom of choice.

Clear and unambiguous, it is a valuable ally for companies wishing to enter the vegan and plant-based market with transparency. In fact, by employing scrupulous controls, V-Label is able to declare products suitable on the basis of the criteria established by the major European Vegetarian and Vegan Associations.

Protecting consumers’ ability to make informed purchases and helping companies to properly address the ever-growing vegan demand is our duty, just as the freedom of choice of those purchasing and producing is a right that must be safeguarded.

www.vlabel.org

Celebrating 50 Years of “Loving What We Grow”

Farming can be a thankless business. The combination of extremely hard work, reliance on Mother Nature, market fluctuations, labor costs, transportation challenges and water availability make it a business for only the toughest. Without farming, there’s no food. We need to think about that for a moment. I do and that’s why we’re very proud to showcase a company celebrating 50 years of doing the heaving lifting for us.

We have loved what we have grown for 50 years, and we want you to know more about who we are and the history of our company.

Cherry Central is a grower-owned cooperative that believes we are stronger when we work together. In 1973, five Michigan farmers came together to form the Cherry Central Cooperative. Today, Cherry Central comprises hundreds of small family farms. Just as our farmers have been innovating for generations, so is Cherry Central. Cherry Central is committed to the power of good. We lead with service, focusing on creating good and nutritious food. If there’s one thing we know, it’s that good and nutritious food has a direct and powerful impact on the health of people and the planet.

Our purpose:

A legacy of family farms gathering to market and sell sustainable fruit products, improve the lives of consumers, and maximize success for growers.

Without our grower-owners, we would not be where we are today. We are proud to represent all of our family farms including Hackert Family Farms, Payson Fruit Growers, Northwest Tart Cherry, McMullin Orchards, Schuyler Farms, and Empire Fruit. Roy Hackert was one of the founding members of Cherry Central and sat on the Board of Directors until July 2023. Roy’s son David Hackert (Shown Right) is also a key member of the Board and will carry on his father’s legacy of returning value back to the farm. Claude Rowley of Payson Fruit Growers joined shortly after Cherry Central opened its doors, and Claude’s son Chad (Shown Above) is still an active member ensuring his father’s family farming practices continue.

The food which we produce is how we will impact the world. Our industry, agriculture, is at the intersection of food and health. Agricultural products make up almost everything we eat, use and wear daily. As a grower owned co-op, we’re in a position to support a sustainable food system. By working together with our farmers, we can provide innovative, accessible, affordable, and nutritious food to people all over the world. We are fortunate to have growers throughout North America including Canada, Michigan, Washington, Utah, and Idaho. Our diversification allows us to promise year-over-year availability of this domestically grown fruit associated with good fortune, beauty, and the cycle of life.

Here at Cherry Central, we focus our innovation on health and wellness. We aim to connect farms to families and know the only way to make a true impact is to work together. Through charitable giving, we partner with local communities to support the health of people worldwide. We use our strategic pillars to stay aligned with our mission, so we can continue to be an evolving and strong cooperative.

Cherry Central manufacturing facilities have embraced the Global Food Safety Initiative standards. It’s how we know we’re promoting impactful health and food safety practices globally. Through innovation, we create nutritious products for families worldwide, while making a positive impact on our environment.

We immerse ourselves in everything that we do and try to align ourselves to meet every need that we can. Our subsidiary, Dunkley International, INC. is the international standard in cherry processing equipment. Dunkley allows us to provide custom fruit processing machinery, replacement parts, and service. The Dunkley mission is simple: to be the best little cherry-pitting company in the business!

Our brands are also diverse in products. Born in 2021, fruitHaven is a Cherry Central Brand that represents all our growers. The brand offers cherry-based functional beverages, a variety of dried fruit products, and applesauce. fruitHaven plans for continued growth with additional product lines globally. We have only just begun. Indian Summer is also a brand that Cherry Central is extremely proud to market and sell. Indian Summer applebased juices and sauces have been a consumer favorite for decades thanks to Hackert Family Farms.

Cherry Central serves a wide range of plant-based products to several sales channels. Our areas of trade are Private Label, Ingredient, K-12, US Government needs, Global Supply, Food Service, and Retail. We proudly serve each of our customers and work hard to provide excellent customer satisfaction. Although our bread and butter is the Montmorency Cherry, our product offering expands well past the ruby red super fruit. Cherry Central also offers dark sweet cherry, blueberry, cranberry, and apple products in many forms with our private-label offerings expanding even further past these items. Since our product offerings are fruit varieties, the health benefits that come with these delicious items are an excellent reason to choose Cherry Central. Appease your taste buds and body at the same time. www.cherrycentral.com

Our vision for the future is expanding Cherry Central products in all market channels and walks of life for generations to come. We very much look forward to our next 50 years and hope that you can be part of them.

We are proud that MBD received 10 Vertex Awards at the 2023 Velocity Conference + Expo! And big congratulations to our client Sprouts, winner of Retailer of the Year, and the most retailer awards in the competition.

PLMA 2023 VISIT US upstairs

atbooth 6605

THE WINNERS ARE...

Welcome to the 10th Annual Vertex Award winner’s feature. This year’s competition included entries from 30 countries Each represents the absolute best in package design from around the globe regardless of who owns the brand. That’s right; these are the best package designs in the world – full stop.

PHILLIP RUSSO Publisher, Global Retail Brands Co-founder, The Vertex Awards

CHRISTOPHER DURHAM President, The Velocity Institute Co-founder, The Vertex Awards

BEST OF SHOW

PLUS CHOCOLATE GOED VERHAAL

RETAILER: PLUS Retail B.V.

BRAND: Plus

AGENCY: Brandnew BV

CATEGORY: Packaged Goods

PUBLISHERS CHOICE

Europe, The Middle East & Africa

G’WOON

RETAILER: Superunie

BRAND: G’Woon

AGENCY: Mountain Design

CATEGORY: Packaged Goods

Americas PUBLISHERS CHOICE

VINAFORÉ WINE COLLECTION

RETAILER: Albertsons

BRAND: Vinafore

AGENCY: Sterling Brands

CATEGORY: New Brand

PUBLISHERS CHOICE

Asia Pacific

GONGBEN CONDOM

RETAILER: China Ants Alliance

BRAND: Gongben

AGENCY: Unknown Brand

CATEGORY: Health Care

RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Europe, The Middle East & Africa

EL CORTE INGLÉS

GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE

RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Americas

SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET

RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Asia Pacific CHINA ANTS ALLIANCE

PUBLISHERS CHOICE

SILVER BRONZE

GOLD

AGENCY OF THE YEAR

Europe, The Middle East & Africa

SUPPERSTUDIO

AGENCY OF THE YEAR Americas

EQUATOR DESIGN

GOLD BRONZE

SILVER

AGENCY OF THE YEAR

Asia Pacific

MOTOR BRAND DESIGN

SILVER

GOLD

VERTEX GOLD AWARD

ROXCÓN

RETAILER: El Corte Inglés

BRAND: XO

AGENCY: Supperstudio

CATEGORY: Holiday or Limited-Edition

THE FRESH CO. GOURMET COLLECTION

RETAILER: ALDI Australia

BRAND: The Fresh Co.

AGENCY: Motor Brand Design

CATEGORY: Packaged Goods

WILD HARVEST

RETAILER: UNFI

BRAND: Wild Harvest

AGENCY: Pearlfisher

CATEGORY: Packaged Goods

VERTEX GOLD AWARD

SPROUTS HARVEST TEAS

RETAILER:

Sprouts Farmers Market

BRAND: Sprouts

AGENCY: LMN Workshop

CATEGORY: Holiday or Limited-Edition

SPROUTS EVERYDAY CRACKERS

RETAILER: Sprouts Farmers Market

BRAND: Sprouts

AGENCY: MBD

CATEGORY: Packaged Goods

SPROUTS

RETAILER: Sprouts

Farmers Market

BRAND: Sprouts

AGENCY: MBD

CATEGORY: Redesigned Brand

VERTEX GOLD AWARD

SAINSBURY’S INSPIRED TO COOK

RETAILER: Sainsbury’s

BRAND: Sainsbury’s Inspired to Cook

AGENCY: Foster + Baylis

CATEGORY: New Brand

R FROZEN VEGETABLES

RETAILER: REMA 1000

BRAND: R Frozen Vegetables

AGENCY: Everland

CATEGORY: Frozen

PRIVATE SELECTION MACARONS

RETAILER: The Kroger Co.

BRAND: Private Selection

AGENCY: The Kroger Co.; Our Brands

CATEGORY: Frozen

VERTEX GOLD AWARD

PARTY GEBAK, FROZEN PASTRIES AND CAKE

RETAILER: Aldi

BRAND: Party Gebak

AGENCY: Blikvangers ontwerp

CATEGORY: Frozen

ODDS & ENDS

RETAILER: Misfits Market

BRAND: Odds & Ends

AGENCY: ThoughtMatter

CATEGORY: New Brand

PAMS NAPPIES

RETAILER: Foodstuffs Own Brands Limited

BRAND: Pams

AGENCY: Brother Design

CATEGORY: Baby

VERTEX GOLD AWARD

NUMBER EIGHT FACIAL MASKS

RETAILER: DFI Retail Group

BRAND: Number Eight

AGENCY: EQUATOR DESIGN

CATEGORY: Beauty

MS SANS ALCOHOL-FREE DRINK

RETAILER: Sans Drinks

BRAND: Ms Sans

AGENCY: Boxer & Co.

CATEGORY: New Brand

MORRISONS ORGANIC

RETAILER: Morrisons

BRAND: Morrisons Organic

AGENCY: StormBrands

CATEGORY: Organic and Natural Packaged Goods

VERTEX GOLD AWARD

MORRISONS COUNTED

RETAILER: Morrisons

BRAND: Morrisons Counted

AGENCY: Storm Brands

CATEGORY: Redesigned Brand

LODGE FARMS EGGS

RETAILER: ALDI Australia

BRAND: Lodge Farms

AGENCY: Motor Brand Design

CATEGORY: Packaged Goods

MARZIANOS

RETAILER: Marzianos

BRAND: Marzianos

AGENCY: Supperstudio

CATEGORY: Packaged Goods

VERTEX GOLD AWARD

KRINGLE & CO

RETAILER: Aldi Australia

BRAND: Kringle & Co

AGENCY: Disegno

CATEGORY: Holiday or Limited-Edition

INNER GOODNESS

RETAILER: demarca

BRAND: Inner Goodness

AGENCY: Motor Brand Design

CATEGORY: Beverages:

Non-Alcoholic (ready to drink)

JUMBO FROZEN FISH & SEAFOOD

RETAILER: Jumbo

BRAND: Jumbo

AGENCY: OD design studio

CATEGORY: Frozen

VERTEX GOLD AWARD

HT TRADERS GRANOLA

RETAILER: Harris Teeter

BRAND: Harris Teeter Traders

AGENCY: Daymon Design

CATEGORY: Packaged Goods

ETOS M CUP

RETAILER: Etos

BRAND: ETOS

AGENCY: Superunion

CATEGORY: Health Care

XENOS FINE FLAVOURS

RETAILER: Xenos

BRAND: Fine Flavours

AGENCY: Yellow Dress Retail

CATEGORY: Packaged Goods

VERTEX GOLD AWARD

ETOS BABY CARE

RETAILER: Etos

BRAND: ETOS

AGENCY: Superunion

CATEGORY: Redesigned Brand

DAIRY FINE BITES

RETAILER: ALDI Australia

BRAND: Dairy Fine

AGENCY: Motor Brand Design

CATEGORY: Packaged Goods

EL CORTE INGLÉS SELECTION PIZZAS

RETAILER: El Corte Inglés

BRAND: El Corte Inglés Selection

AGENCY: Supperstudio

CATEGORY: Frozen

VERTEX GOLD AWARD

COLES PANTRY

RETAILER: Coles

BRAND: Coles Pantry

AGENCY: the thrills

CATEGORY: Packaged Goods

BOWL & BASKET SPECIALTY SPICE BLENDS

RETAILER: Wakefern

BRAND: Bowl & Basket Specialty

AGENCY: Marks

CATEGORY: Packaged Goods

CASTILLO DE MANZA

RETAILER: Makro

BRAND: Castillo de Manza

AGENCY: Supperstudio

CATEGORY: Beverages: Alcoholic (liquid)

VERTEX GOLD AWARD

SABE A MAR

RETAILER: Klepierre Aqua Portimao

BRAND: Aqua Portimao

AGENCY: Supperstudio

CATEGORY: Packaged Goods

AH COOKIE BITES

RETAILER: Albert Heijn

BRAND: Albert Heijn

AGENCY: Brand Potential

CATEGORY: New Brand

AH DIEPVRIES SNACKSWERELDSE HAPJES

RETAILER: Albert Heijn

BRAND: Albert Heijn

AGENCY: Brand Potential

CATEGORY: Frozen

VERTEX GOLD AWARD

FLORAL TEA BREWING SERIES

RETAILER: China Ants Alliance

BRAND: I Got Natural Power

AGENCY: Unknown Brand

CATEGORY: Beverages: Non-Alcoholic (ready to drink)

WORLD KITCHEN READY MEALS

RETAILER: ALDI

BRAND: World Kitchen

AGENCY: Disegno

CATEGORY: Redesigned Brand

Wins Big at 2023 Vertex Awards Sprouts Brand Redesign

RETAILER OF THE YEAR

A brand that delivers uncompromising quality with a wide variety of products reaching across most categories throughout the store. This redesign focuses on increased awareness and perception of the brand by using the refreshed logo and modernizing the current packaging through various categories across the store. MBD created a look that elevates customers’ expectations and generates excitement around new products and new flavors. We used a billboard effect to broaden appeal beyond its existing customer base with bold coloring, storytelling through illustrations and ownable photography, unexpected typefaces, and design elements that are more category specific.

If you know private brands, then you know The Vertex Awards are the only global competition devoted exclusively to the art of Private Brand package design.

And if you know MBD, then you know we set ourselves apart by being brand ambassadors for our clients. By being retail obsessed with a passion for innovation & storytelling, and for our commitment to operational excellence. With these attributes, MBD Creates award winning design with a positive experience for our customers

We are proud to announce that MBD won TEN Vertex Awards this year at the 2023 Velocity Conference + Expo! And a big congratulations to our client Sprouts who won Retailer of the Year, winning the most awards out of any retailer in the competition. This year there were over 600 entries from 79 retailers across 53 countries. We are excited to share with you MBD’s winning designs here:

Sprouts Everyday Crackers

The cracker category is saturated with many brands using bright, primary colors to stand out on shelf. MBD pulled back the design and utilized pastel colors to create an onbrand and on-trend package that stands out in a crowded category shelf set. We used simple, elegant watercolor-style illustrations combined with photography to elevate these everyday crackers.

Sprouts Soy Chorizo

A new product to Sprouts, soy chorizo was kicked off to compete with the other plant-based alternatives in this section of Sprouts. MBD's design disrupts the on-trend plant based product category with a quirky approach to afarmers market feel. The fun pattern work brings a youthful energy to the design.

Sprouts Olive Oil

MBD's beautiful Olive Oil design uses colorful, bold patterns and quirky typeface to stand out in a crowded category. The unique approach to a farmers market style feels lively and unexpected.

BRONZE

Sprouts Beans

Canned beans are a popular commodity item that find themselves in a wide range of recipes. MBD wanted to make sure these cans stood out on shelf and also clearly communicated the product, without creating too much noise on the PDP. The photography within the set is what made the concept come alive and create a lot of fun and movement on the packaging. Organic and conventional canned beans were designed in a family look to connect the SKUs while keeping them easily shoppable.

Sprouts Almond Milk

Very early on in the redesign, MBD's team was tasked with revamping the existing almond milk line at Sprouts. This design took on a real farmer's market feel and was the first product where MBD introduced a "character" with some cartoon charm. We designed the almond milk mascot to differentiate product variation without breaking cohesion of the brand and product line. The earth tones, simple line work and punchy ingredient shot with a large almond brought this item to life.

BJ’s Wholesale Club Baby Wipes

The mix of diverse and happy babies with bright colors and fun patterns bring package to life. Callouts highlight competitive features equivalent to national brands carried in-club at BJ's.

First Street Ice Cream

The structure of the ice cream is modernized to a "Scround" (square/round) carton that differentiates it from a traditional round package. Rich color palette, subtle pattern, and over 20 flavors make a strong visual impact onshelf. Completely ownable photography makes the ice cream the hero but pairs the product with interesting and indulgent ingredient inclusions. The design also allows the smaller side panel to act as an alternate PDP, allowing for more flexible merchandising in smaller format stores.

7-Eleven Peppermints

MBD designed these peppermints to follow brand initiatives and match the look of the 7-Select line of candy. We created an everyday look for something that is often seen as seasonal. The final design uses creative storytelling for these sweet, fun, on-the-go treats. The carnival tent stripes magnify the iconic pattern of these classic candies, and the peppermints are playfully added into the scene on a rollercoaster.

PriceSmart Pet Food

MBD partnered with PriceSmart to design this friendly, fresh, inviting line of pet food products. The product benefits are highlighted in a distinguishable way without being too serious. The imagery of high quality ingredients and happy pets are front and center to draw attention to the product.

MBD congratulates all Vertex Award winners as well as all who participated in the competition!

We look forward to next year!

Marketing By Design

Maria Dubuc

mdubuc@mbdesign.com

Katie Locke

klocke@mbdesign.com

I am a big believer in metrics and ways to truly measure the performance of your own brands program, and probably think we don’t do enough of it. There are the obvious measures that retailers utilize like overall own brand penetration across the store, repeat rates across key categories, margin and profit contribution for own brand, etc., but what about other metrics that aren’t so traditional and “hard”? What about more intuitive measures, and can you go beyond the numbers to evaluate how good you really are at own brands?

Here are five questions that I think, when roundly asked of your own associates, customers and other external constituents, will get to the heart of how a retailer performs in their own brands. Ask them yourself, and if you want to be even braver, ask a supplier, colleague or peer to give you their assessment just to get a different perspective.

Do I have any own brand “addicts” in my consumer audience, and how do they express their love of the brand?

I have written before in this magazine about how “love” of a brand is measurable and can be researched quantitatively, but what about ways that demonstrate more intuition and common sense. For instance, what do they say in the social media ether about your brand, is there a consumer commotion or dead silence?

For Trader Joe’s there is constant, passionate noise that one can hear externally. Just look at the blogging that is happening around their brand and new products they launch.

BY PERRY SEELERT

TRADER JOE’S BLOGS

- www.whatsgoodattraderjoes.com

- www.traderjoesrants.com

- clubtraderjoes.com

- sweetontraderjoes.com

- @traderjoesfoodreviews (Instagram)

- www.healthyeatingattraderjoes.com

- www.traderjoesreviews.com

When you have this many bloggers/ vloggers taking time on dot.com, Instagram and TikTok to review your own brand products, with such passion and advocacy, you know you have love for your brand, and “addicts” that care about it.

To determine if you have a high performing own brand program, you can go beyond traditional metrics if you ask yourself five key questions

Do the front lines of my organization intimately understand my own brands and what they are designed to achieve?

I have always found that asking the employees in the store about own brands is a great (and accurate) way to get a read on how disciplined the organization is about internal education. This is especially true when a retailer has a wider portfolio of brands within its own brand umbrella and seeing if an employee can tell you about each of them. Do this across an array of stores, and this grass roots technique gives you a real-world read on across-the-organization, front lines own brand knowledge.

HEB in-store associates (140,000+), or “Partners” as they are known internally, can definitely tell you about their own brands. They have tried many of them, they buy them in their own personal lives, and are taught the importance of own brands from the top down. They are even rewarded for buying HEB brands with a 10% discount.

Do you have legitimate and recognizable own brand destination products?

When you have a “destination” product within your own brand portfolio, you develop a very powerful and ritualistic “tractor beam” into your stores. Sure, you can measure this loyalty to a product through traditional means, but if you can’t readily rattle off 4-5 products off the top your head, you probably don’t really have them. Again, ask a shopper or colleague the same question and see if they can list one-to-two of your destination products. Destination products don’t just rely on the ritualistic and repetitive nature by which they are purchased (after all, eggs or milk might fall into this category), they have to be unique. The destination product has to be one of your “signatures” versus other retailers, a product you are known for.

Costco is a retailer that exemplifies this throughout much of their Kirkland Signature portfolio, but oddly enough through their own brand golf balls.

They reportedly in their v3.0 golf ball have a product that rivals Titleist ProV1, and consumers swear by them. There are dozens of videos where golf pros and consumers have tested them, and they are truly a destination product. Only Dick’s Sporting Goods even attempts to have an exclusively owned brand golf ball, and theirs does not compete against Titleist.

Do you have a visible, outward Marketing presence around your own brands, one that is part of your investment and not “pay-your-way”?

The traditional measure to evaluate own brand marketing spend would be looking at sales growth, promotional ROI or even annual brand equity metrics that show how effective your advertising has been.

But really, how visible are your own brand marketing efforts (and are they at least 30% of your total Marketing spend)? Can consumers really see them, do they notice your efforts and how integrated are they into the fabric of who you are as a retailer? How seamless are they in your overall messaging?

Waitrose has around 40% penetration with their own brand program, and their marketing for it is a seamless outgrowth of their larger communication strategy. It is ever-present, obvious, and integrated into the soul of their overall DNA.

When Waitrose launched a campaign for their Essentials range last year with their “Quality You’d Expect At Prices You Wouldn’t” theme, they broadcast it in Picadilly Circus, one of the most coveted

spots in London. The campaign was also accompanied by print, digital and radio – now that is a truly visible commitment to marketing.

Hard Metrics Only Go So Far

Do I really build supplier partnerships or is there a merry-go-round of RFPs (request for proposals)?

Retailers caught within a constant churn of RFP’s don’t build supplier respect. They don’t collaboratively innovate, they don’t build trust, and the relationship unfortunately becomes brutally transactional. This is not how the best own brand retailers behave with their valued supplier partners, and Wegmans in the Northeast-Mid Atlantic region of the U.S. exemplifies how trust is built. They don’t overly RFP and they still get the best quality-price understanding from their suppliers, though it is a different type of strategic partnership that elicits this relationship. When Covid strained the entire grocery supply chain, who do you think got disproportionately better attention during this time? The retailers who collaborate with their suppliers and where there is consistent trust not borne from transactions alone.

While “hard” metrics are good, and you should indeed have them to build organizational alignment on progress, these 5 questions that go “beyond the numbers” also give you an insightful read on performance. Where are you strong and where are you weak? Do you have addicts for your brand, do your front lines know what you are trying to accomplish and what your brands stand for, do you have real destination products, do you visibly market them and are your supplier relationships built on trust? Ask these five questions of your program and get an objective read on them from your peers, and it will tell you a lot of what you need to know.

Perry Seelert

Perry Seelert is retail branding and marketing expert, with a passion for challenging conventional strategy and truths. He is the Strategic Partner and Co-founder of Emerge, a strategic marketing consultancy dedicated to helping Retailers, Manufacturers and Services grow exponentially and differentiate with purpose. Please contact Perry at perry@ emergefromthepack.com

AI MARKETING: CRACKING THE CODE AND HARNESSING ITS POWER

There’s no doubt about it: marketing has always been an ever-changing and evolving industry. And in recent years, as technology has evolved, the sophistication of a marketeers’ tool-box has transformed to create increasingly targeted, personalized and scaled campaigns. It’s a transformation that isn’t letting up; one that will only quicken due to the speed at which Artificial Intelligence is adapting.

So how exactly can marketers use AI to revolutionize their outputs? How can we use AI to support insight, drive faster and more efficient design, scale content creation and adaption and amplify decision making? And how is AI marketing making waves already?

What is AI marketing?

AI stands for “Artificial Intelligence”, which refers to the ability of machines or software to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as perception, reasoning, learning, and problemsolving. AI has numerous applications already in brand marketing and is expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping its future.

AI marketing is the process of using AI methods and tools, like data models, machine learning and social listening to produce insight that can optimise spending, customize content and personalize the customer journey at speed.

Of course, there are many unknowns about the future of AI in relation to data privacy, bias and fairness, intellectual property, brand consistency, quality control, security, transparency and human symbiosis. However, the potential of AI to revolutionize the way brands and

agencies approach marketing by enabling more personalized, datadriven strategies that can better meet the needs, user experience and preferences of individual customers cannot be ignored.

How to use AI in marketing

Here are four ways AI marketing is already changing our industry and boosting the ROI of campaigns.

1. In-depth Consumer Insights

Consumer behaviour is ever changing in relation to preferences, habits and social responsibilities. AI can be used as a data analysis tool to quickly analyse a significant amount of data based on demographics, online behaviour and trends. One form of this is sentiment analysis and social listening: by searching through reviews, social media conversations and feedback to present customer sentiment and feelings about a brand, their product and reputation.

A report by Gartner estimates that by 2025 60% of CMOs will rely on AI to improve the customer experience as well as use AI to optimize campaigns and personalize messaging. By leveraging AI in this way, marketing functions can process this information and make faster strategic decisions about opportunities and issues to create more authentic and emotional connections with target consumers. Predictive insights can also be gained by using historic data to anticipate future trends and needs which gives marketers a competitive edge whilst allowing teams to get their products to digital channels and platforms faster than traditional methods.

Our prediction: Data, recommendations and sentiments will continue to become increasingly more accurate and authentic to organisations as AI is utilized.

2. Save Time

One of the biggest challenges facing marketing functions is the race to market. The quicker you can get your products and services to your audience, the better. Similarly, operating in a lean fashion is a common organisational objective.

AI brings a host of automation benefits to marketers; one admin related aspect is repetitive task automation. Task automation can account for content creation to scheduling of campaigns, as well as crunching data which would take numerous hours to manually set up and translate into meaningful actions and insights.

By evaluating where automation can create time efficiencies within marketing and creation processes, marketers’ roles can now be freed up for activities that rely on high personalisation efforts as well as changing countless admin hours to shorter quality control tasks. Firms can now dedicate more time to create authentic and humanistic messaging and approaches and automate more repetitive, administration related tasks.

Specifically, we often see brands and agencies using automation tools that rely on templated master documents that can be married with a variable data file to drive and adaption processes. While these types of solutions do drive efficiency over manual efforts, setting up templates can become overly complex and the need for highly structured and accurate data files are paramount to success. With AI, we are able to drive the adaption process without the need for master templates and there is opportunity to train AI models on less structured data sources. Simply prompting an AI engine to create versions for different markets and to update language, price points and messaging is already a proven AI functionality.

Rapid advancements in AI mean we’re already using it to turbo-charge ideation, bringing to life creative concepts fasther than ever before. Prompt: Attractive model with hair blowing in the wind, beauty shot, canon, ultra realistic

3. Create Content

Traditional marketing activities value an authentic and personified approach to connecting with customers. AI tools have the capability to analyse an organisation’s online presence to mimic messaging and style directly without the need for copywriters to spend hours on tone of voice and style guidelines. Indeed, a Deloitte report found that 70% of companies that are currently using AI in their creative processes believe that it has improved the quality and speed of their work. Not to say, these roles become obsolete; AI relies on data being accurate and aligned.

Similarly, AI has a huge impact on transcreation teams. Operating globally brings a host of challenges relating to global customer segmentation in relation to translation, localisation and cultural differences. Using AI data, companies can shave substantial time relating to content translation needs and ensure the delivery suits the preferences and culture of the market. At SGK, we're already seeing AI being a key service of copywriting and transcreation advisory to make this process leaner.

We anticipate the use of AI in content creation and design ideation phases to create, illuminate and amplify human creativity – driving time and cost efficiencies. By using AI in these areas, firms could create proof of concepts and mood boards within a matter of hours, making visually bespoke proposals without requesting

additional time and budget from creative teams. “We are excited to unleash the next generation of creativity offered by this rapidly emerging technology. We see opportunities to enhance our marketing through cutting-edge AI, along with exploring ways to improve our business operations and capabilities” Coca-Cola, CEO.

4. Drive Data-Driven Decision Making

Emphasis on using data to make better investment and strategic decisions are becoming more prevalent and important for CMOs and other C-suite level executives. Indeed, in 2020, the global AI in the investment management market was valued at $1.8 billion and is expected to reach $10.3 billion by 2026 according to a report by MarketsandMarkets.

AI is a gateway to a vast amount of historic data when it comes to successful marketing approaches, channels and consumer data. Organisations can use AI to A/B test strategies at scale – think A/Z testing, enabling messaging and design to be able to select the optimised approach in order to better connect with their target market based on the results gathered. Similarly, using AI to consolidate and gather insights from split testing, consumer insights and market trends to be able to support investment decisions to better forecast and predict ROI. This is an extremely attractive function of AI for CFOs and board level executives to build trust and assign finance to future business initiatives.

Innovating to serve our client base Change is one of the only things in life that is certain. At SGK we believe AI is here to stay and we anticipate a huge shift in ways or working for many organisations, not just within marketing operations. Equally there is going to be a huge effort in relation to change management activities and initiatives for AI to be successfully implemented, embraced and become a tool used to benefit from the opportunities discussed in this piece.

Of course, it presents its own risks relating to local, regional and global legislation and potential reputational damage from biased or stereotyped information. It is highly likely that the introduction of AI into business operations will lead to job titles and departments that didn’t exist 5 years ago. These roles are going to be critical in its successful implementation and use for firms. The investment in human centred capability and change management may well be the biggest challenge for brands and agencies alike. SGK’s heritage is in innovating to better serve our client base and therefore we are excited by the opportunities that forward looking AI machine learning capability gives us as we work to ensure our clients’ content provides maximum impact and value to the consumer.

AI software was used to help speed up the initial drafting of this article. It was then honed, shaped and brought to life by the power of the human mind.

Rosie Tobyn

Rosie is the newest addition to SGK’s European consulting team, bringing business consulting experience as well as consultative selling skills. Rosie holds recognised professional training qualifications across Change Management, Business Analysis and Project Management. Prior to joining SGK, Rosie worked on several initiatives including technology implementations, uplifting internal capabilities, and managing training rollouts. Rosie is passionate about working collaboratively, challenging the norm and prioritizing customer-centric values.

THE PLANT-BASED TRAIN IS SWITCHING TRACKS:

What does it mean to the industry?

Plant-based foods have a storied history dating back to ancient times. However it was only after the nineteen sixty’s that the plantbased food industry took on the form recognisable today. Since then, the industry has been endlessly evolving: from a relatively niche industry that made tofu and veggie burgers in the 1960’s to a widely embraced industry that produces plant based alternatives across a wide spectrum of foods. Yet, despite its decades-long success the plant based industry is currently undergoing a transformative shift, one that will be disrupting the industry (forever).

The New Narrative:

As neatly stated in eponymous webinar from Anuga and Innova Market Insights “Plant based foods are taking on a new narrative”. But what does this new narrative entail? As evidenced in several studies and clearly outlined in the aforementioned webinar we are beginning to see a change in consumer preferences regarding the trajectory of the plant-based industry. For the past few decades the industry has mainly focussed on mimicking (replicating) as much types of meat as possible, this focus has sometimes come at the expense of true innovation. Nowadays, customers are gravitating towards a refined product approach, preferring a smaller selection of more

sophisticated choices. They seek a heightened ROI for their purchase,while they desire more affordable and simple nutrition. This translates in to a drift away from meat replacers and towards direct implementations of plants in their daily nutrition. Apart from the astute webinar from Anuga, This years Anuga fair will feature an enlarged plant-based section, meeting the rising interest and complexity in this sector.

The Impact

The shift in the industry does not come without its repercussions. Already, 85 business have collapsed this year (Tattooed Chef, Do Good foods, etc.) The pressure to adapt their product offerings to meet the evolving consumer landscape has played a role in these setbacks. Furthermore, more companies are projected to encounter challenges in the latter half of 2023. Larger cooperations are not immune either; take for example the king of plant based: Beyond meat. They reported a 33% decrease in sales and suffer from a stock valuation that plummeted from $150 per share to a mere $15 per share in 3 years, partially due to the changing customer demands.

This brings us to the age-old saying: Innovation is key to succes. For the plant-based industry, this axiom has never been more relevant.

A Novel Production Method on the Rise

Speaking of innovation: From the century-old beverage-making technique fermentation, has precision fermentation (pf) recently resurrected. Pf could well be a solution to the shift in consumer demands. It crafts dairy and meat products using genetically modified microorganisms or plants, minimizing environmental harm. This distinct process results in meats with elevated protein, superior water and land efficiency, reduced emissions, and customizable nutrition profiles, setting them apart from plant-based alternatives While not all meats made by pf can be labelled as plant based there are companies such as Nobell Foods that use genetically modified soya beans to produce their protein. With companies such as Perfect day and Nobell Foods leading the way, its potential to reshape the industry becomes clearer. Only time will tell if this will be the case.

Pascal Ruzius Founder of Cibus Nexum and an agricultural engineer with 25 years of experience at FMCG companies and global outsourcing projects.

MARCA BY BOLOGNAFIERE 2024: Growth And Internationalization, Towards A Successful 20th Edition

16-17 JANUARY 2024

BOLOGNA , ITALY

Marca by BolognaFiere is preparing for the 20th edition of their exhibition, scheduled for 16-17 January 2024, following the successful 2023 edition which had over 900 exhibitors and 17,000 visitors.

PRIVATE LABEL: ADDED VALUE

Marca by BolognaFiere is a significant event for companies, professionals, and buyers involved in the private label and modern distribution industry, both nationally and internationally. Over the past five years, it has grown in size and strategic importance, paralleling the rise of private label products in Italy. This growth highlights the importance of private label as a strategic asset in the country’s economy. Private label products are becoming increasingly prevalent in Italian consumers’ shopping carts, as they are seen as a preferred alternative in a critical scenario marked by uncertainty, inflation, and high spending costs.

Trends and scenarios will be the subject of discussion and analysis during the inaugural conference organized by ADM - Associazione Distribuzione Moderna (Modern Distribution Association), BolognaFiere’s historical and strategic partner in organizing the event, and during the presentation of the 20th Marca by BolognaFiere Report entrusted to Circana.

More than 17,000 operators and visitors (40% more than last year) crowded the six exhibition halls and 23,000 square meters of exhibition space. A larger number of exhibitors, more than 900 companies (+10%), along with more than 2,500 brands invested significantly in the quality of their stands, further confirming the

importance of this event. The involvement of 4 additional large Grocery Retail groups brought the total to 22 representing the country’s leading retailers. All the retail groups sat on the Marca by BolognaFiere Technical Scientific Steering Committee and showcased their new private label products to an international public. Their stands were filled with a variety of interesting food and non-food products, many of them related to specific moments of consumption, like breakfast, evening drinks and aperitifs.

Thousands of operators participated in Marca by BolognaFiere’s scientific program, which offered an opportunity to get up to speed on everything related to Private Labels through conferences, presentations of market data, workshops and specialized meetings. The packed opening conference was one of the main events: it was organized by ADM, Marca by BolognaFiere and The European HouseAmbrosetti, in collaboration with Ipsos and IRI, and included the presentation of the latest Position Paper by The European House-Ambrosetti, a study by Ipsos on the social and economic climate, and the 19th Marca by BolognaFiere Report, the annual snapshot of the role of Private Labels outlined by IRI

TOWARDS MARCA BY BOLOGNAFIERE 2024

In view of the twentieth edition, planning activities are underway to increase the presence of national and international buyers, for whom Marca by BolognaFiere qualifies as a key appointment to discover the best of private label products on offer, and where the involvement of the major retail brands is confirmed as members of the event's technical-scientific committee.

The two-day event has been highly successful, as evidenced by the interest and applications received from various companies. The exhibition area allocated has grown significantly compared to the same period last year, with an estimated expansion of over 12%. Notably, there has been an increase in the number of new companies and small businesses looking to establish connections and build relationships to boost their business growth.

The 2024 edition of the exhibition will feature a layout characterized by larger, well-organized and easily accessible spaces.

In this context, the food sector will maintain its central role, with a significant participation of companies that will present their latest innovations and products at the exhibition. Likewise, further expansion of the non-food sector is expected, which will further enrich the offer of home and personal care products, with a focus on effectiveness and sustainability.

The two thematic formats, Marca Fresh and Marca Tech, are confirmed for 2024, and both are growing. Marca Fresh, an area dedicated to sustainable innovation in the fresh produce sector, organised by BolognaFiere in collaboration with SGMarketing, is already attracting significant participation. This area will continue to be a place for sharing and analysing the various issues related to the sector. Marca Tech, which will celebrate its tenth anniversary in January, will also remain central to tackling, with an innovative and sustainable approach, topics related to the supply chain of private label products, packaging, logistics, raw materials, ingredients, technology and services.

INTERNATIONALIZATION AT THE CENTER

With the aim of securing an increasing number of international chains for the January event and facilitating the entry of Italian companies into foreign markets, BolognaFiere has implemented several actions to give further impetus to the internationalization process, which already organised over 3.000 B2B meetings between exhibiting companies and visiting foreign delegations: more than 200 foreign buyers involved, with significant attendance from North and South America, some eastern countries (Romania and Slovenia), western Europe (France, Denmark, Germany and England), Israel and Saudi Arabia. In this sense, particular attention will be paid to the new edition of the Private Label Selection (IPLS) Award, to identify the ten most interesting and innovative branded products for international markets.

The partnership with ITA-Agency for the promotion abroad and internationalization of Italian companies will continue to encourage the incoming of foreign operators, together with BolognaFiere's specific know-how in this field and renewed agreements with the widespread and growing network of foreign agents operating in the main European and non-European markets, such as Spain, Portugal, the UK and Poland, with the aim of bringing more and more foreign delegations to the exhibition.

www.marca.bolognafiere.it

COSMOPROF ASIA 2023 IS COMING BACK TO HONG KONG OVER 60,000 ATTENDEES AND 2,000 EXHIBITORS EXPECTED

14 – 17 NOVEMBER 2023 HONG KONG

Cosmoprof Asia 2023 is coming back with outstanding results. The leading B2B beauty event in the Asia-Pacific region, organized by a joint-venture between BolognaFiere and Informa Markets, is ready to celebrate 26 years of successful track record, hosting all the key players of the industry in its hometown Hong Kong, which has always been recognized as the gateway to Mainland China and Asia Pacific region.

Cosmopack Asia will be held from November 14 to 16 in AsiaWorld Expo, gathering big global leaders of the supply chain, from ingredients to machinery & equipment, from packaging to contract manufacturing and private label.

Cosmoprof Asia, from November 15 to 17 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, will feature the most innovative branded finished products, in an area fully dedicated to the retail and the professional distribution channels.

After the successful special edition in Singapore, , Cosmoprof Asia 2023 will return to its hometown Hong Kong welcoming more than 2,000 exhibitors and over 60,000 attendees. The exhibition area, reaching 100,000 sqm, will finally be the home of all beauty brands and innovative suppliers from Asia-Pacific region and worldwide for four days. The show is expected to host 16 group and

country pavilions; among them, Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Korea, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan Thailand, Turkey and the USA already confirmed their presence.

Buyers from all over the world will visit the show, with special hospitality programs dedicated to top players from China, Asia Pacific countries, Europe and the USA. They will enjoy the opportunities for synergies and business meetings offered by the exclusive platform Match&Meet, which helps connection between exhibitors and buyers on the show floor.

All players will have the opportunity to travel to Hong Kong with special discounted airfares thanks to an exclusive partnership with Cathay Pacific, the home carrier of Hong Kong which is supporting Cosmoprof Asia

by offering registered exhibitors, buyers and travel companions, the opportunity to enjoy great savings on their flights to the city.

A rich educational calendar will provide inspirations and updates to all attendees. CosmoTalks, the exclusive round tables of the Cosmoprof network, will host global leaders of the cosmetics industry to share comments on macro- movements and trends forecasts. CosmoForum presentations will provide in-depth market analyses and case studies of specific consumers’ behaviour. Among confirmed main partners, AsiaCosme Lab, Beauty Matter, BEAUTYSTREAMS, Euromonitor International, Kline, SGS, Tmall Global.

www.cosmoprof-asia.com

THE LEADING B2B EVENT IN ASIA-PACIFIC FOR ALL SECTORS OF THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY

COSMOPROF-ASIA.COM

HONG KONG

14 – 16 NOVEMBER 2023

ASIAWORLD-EXPO

15 – 17 NOVEMBER 2023

HONG KONG CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE

SALES OFFICE ASIA, OCEANIA

Informa Markets, Hong Kong

P +852 3709 4988 cosmoprofasia-hk@informa.com

SALES OFFICE EUROPE, AFRICA, THE AMERICAS, ISRAEL, LEBANON, TURKEY BolognaFiere Cosmoprof S.p.a.

Milan, Italy

P +39 02 796 420

F +39 02 795 036 international@cosmoprof.it

MARKETING AND PROMOTION BolognaFiere Cosmoprof S.p.a.

Milan, Italy

P +39 02 796 420

F +39 02 795 036 info@cosmoprof.it

BOLOGNA, HONG KONG, LAS VEGAS, MUMBAI, BANGKOK, MIAMI

ORGANISER – COSMOPROF ASIA LTD

9,000 EXPECTED ATTENDEES FOR THE 4TH EDITION OF COSMOPROF INDIA

7 – 9 DECEMBER 2023

MUMBAI, INDIA

Cosmoprof India, the network event dedicated to the fast-growing Indian market, will be held from 7 to 9 December 2023 in the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The coveted show represents the fourth destination of the Cosmoprof network, and has its own unique scale and entity, showcasing all the sectors of the beauty industry from ingredients to finished products and encompassing the entire cosmetics and beauty supply chain.

The 2022 edition had recorded excellent results, hosting 300 exhibiting companies from 12 countries, and 7,500 visitors from 50 countries. Similarly, for 2023, remarkable outcomes are expected: the show has already registered a significant growth with a +36% of new exhibitors compared to 2022.

Over 450 exhibitors are expected for the December edition; 78% of the ones already confirmed are domestic, representing the development of the local industry. Simultaneously, international participation in terms of exhibitors have increased (+19% compared to 2022), thanks to new initiatives from both local and international governments and associations to ensure better connections and networking. The show has confirmed presence of Italy, Korea, and Taiwan in the form of country and group pavilions and many more are expected to join.

Cosmoprof India will showcase branded finished products beauty salon & spa, equipment and furnishing, perfumery and cosmetics and haircare are the biggest sectors. This correlates with the high demand for personal care, skincare and fragrances in the domestic market due to new consumer habits increasing preference for e-commerce and willingness to pay more for quality.

Side by side, Cosmopack India will host the beauty supply chain. As of today, this segment represents 61% of the total exhibition area, illustrating primary and secondary packaging, as well as OEM, ODM and private label as the most representative sectors on the show floor followed by machinery & equipment and raw materials.

Over 9,000 attendees are expected to congregate at Cosmoprof India 2023 (+20% compared to 2022), and a dedicated buyer program will host key players from India & neighbouring countries, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Europe, which are crucial countries for local import and export.

SPECIAL EVENTS AND PROJECTS

In addition to an elegant exhibition offer, attendees of 2023 will have the opportunity to experience new initiatives and inspiring projects that will enrich stakeholders’ experience.

A rich calendar of educational sessions will offer new suggestions and ideas.

CosmoTalks& CosmoForum will focus on macro-trends, insights, regulations in the beauty industry, involving global analysts, experts, iconic voices & thought leaders sharing their knowhow and expertise. Cosmo Onstage will present new treatments and latest products through live demos & performances. This area is mainly dedicated to the professional channel.

Cosmo W. – Empowering Women is a beloved project of Cosmoprof India. This initiative involves leading and renowned women in the beauty industry joining forces along with Cosmoprof India giving a concrete contribution to women empowerment in its home country.

www.cosmoprofindia.com

THE NOT TO BE MISSED EVENT FOR THE ENTIRE BEAUTY BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN INDIA COSMOPROFINDIA.COM

MUMBAI JIO WORLD CONVENTION CENTRE

7 – 9 DECEMBER 2023

SALES OFFICE ASIA, OCEANIA

Informa Markets India Pvt. Ltd

Mumbai, India

P +91 98 3389 8098

F +91 22 6172 7273 cosmoprof-india@informa.com

SALES OFFICE EUROPE, AFRICA, THE AMERICAS, ISRAEL, LEBANON, TURKEY BolognaFiere Cosmoprof S.p.a.

Milan, Italy

P +39 02 796 420

F +39 02 795 036 international@cosmoprof.it

MARKETING AND PROMOTION BolognaFiere Cosmoprof S.p.a.

Milan, Italy

P +39 02 796 420

F +39 02 795 036 info@cosmoprof.it

ORGANISED BY

A NEW WORLD FOR BEAUTY BOLOGNA, HONG KONG, LAS VEGAS, MUMBAI, BANGKOK, MIAMI

PREMIUM STORE BRANDS AND GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS PROTECTION: The Relationship Between Large-Scale Retailers And Industry Will Be Under

7 – 10 MAY 2024

PARMA, ITALY

Scheduled to take place in Parma from 7- 10 May 2024, the international food exhibition presents the best of Italian products and the major topics of the food industry. There will also be a focus on the fish sector.

Italy is famous worldwide for its IG products, but now the focus is on promoting its rich gastronomic heritage in a unique way. This involves working with partner countries in the Mediterranean region and beyond, as well as implementing new strategies domestically. These strategies include redefining the relationship between the food industry and large-scale retailers, and the recent anti-inflation pact.

As a result, regional and DPO food products that were once considered niche have gained recognition and commercial value. This is due to a careful and virtuous process of selection and education carried out by the brand industry and large-scale retail, resulting in the development of new private label top lines that represent the premium store brand concept. The challenge now is to export this process and customize it to meet the emerging needs of foreign markets, creating high-value product lines that speak the language of Italian excellence.

The future of these products, which today represent an important showcase for many productive sectors in Italy, is one of the major themes that will animate the 2024 edition of Cibus, the International Food Exhibition specialized in promoting “Made in Italy” local production, as well as GTS, PGI, and PDO products. The event, now presents itself as the ideal programmatic platform for comparing the different experiences of both Italian and European protection consortia, in order to build bridges and share best practices.

Thanks to its event program (that promises to be particularly rich in networking occasions and contents), the 2024 edition of Cibus represents a unique opportunity for the more than 60,000 expected visitors to address topics such as the boundaries of the “healthy food” category and the future of functional food and supplements. 2024 will also represent the very first appearance of the fish sector at Cibus, with a dual purpose: on the one hand, to promote a historically important production segment for many Italian regions, and on the other, to give ample space to the innovation, sustainability, and responsibility challenges that this sector experiences and lives on.

For the many, carefully selected foreign buyers who will participate in the Incoming program, their visit to the event promises a great wealth of ideas, thanks to a series of guided thematic tours within the exhibition. In addition, the ingredient making Cibus really fascinating for buyers from all over the world is the opportunity of taking part in many stimulating technical tours to discover the most prominent agri-food supply chains in the Food Valley.

There is no doubt that the trade show, scheduled from 7th to 10th May 2024, in Parma, promises to be a great opportunity for thousands of professionals to both discover many innovative products and deepen and discuss all the burning issues of the food sector.

Scrutiny Again At Cibus 2024.

Biobank / 73 Certified Origins / 23

Cherry Central / 11

Asia / 77

Cosmoprof India / 79

DEK – Deutsche Extrakt Kaffee / 25

Emerge / 69

Frostkrone Food Group / 29

Global Tissue Group / Inside Front Cover Spread, Back Cover

La Doria S.p.A / 31

LeBonta srl / 6 - 7

Lucart S.p.A / 9 & 33

Marca Bologna / 18 – 19

MBD (Marketing By Design) / 40 Pacific Coast Producers / 13

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES

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Ms. Luisa Colombo

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