Retail sales soar on the back of private label boom

Exhibitors at last year's inaugural Private Label Middle East exhibition report sales increases of up to 50 percent as a result, and are booking for the 2005 edition in unprecedented numbers.

Floor space has already been substantially increased to accommodate exhibitors from more than 20 countries expected at the September 17-19 event at Dubai World Trade Centre.

Confirmed entries include large Turkish and German pavilions, plus groups from Italy, Greece, and Poland as well as exhibitors from UAE, Sri Lanka, Finland, Croatia, Pakistan, India, Netherlands, Lebanon, Bulgaria, Jordan, Ukraine, Syria, Taiwan, Egypt, China, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

The German pavilion will be supported by IKW, the national association of manufacturers and distributors of cosmetic, toiletry, perfumery and detergent products. IKW coordinates and supports the participation of members in important international exhibitions and shows.

Justin Boutros, managing director of PLME 2005 organisers Channels Exhibitions says that private labels have come a long way from their original reputation as the poor relations of national brands.

"Where once they were confined to almost generic products like detergents or cosmetics, offering a low cost alternative to national brands, they now compete successfully on a level basis and many have become synonymous with quality and innovation," he explains.

"The range of private label products has expanded beyond recognition. For example, this year's exhibition will feature food and beverage, cleaning and hygiene, home and kitchenware, stationery, garments and textiles, plastics and paper goods, electronics and white goods, as well as industrial consumables and market research, design, and branding services."
Euromonitor International, the European research agency, forecasts that the global market for private labels will grow by about six percent in 2005 to reach 17% of total retail sales.

Euromonitor sees the future of private label as bright, as long as retailers continue to be innovative. To be successful it is no longer enough to produce copycat products: retailers must retain customer loyalty, generate a strong store identity, improve margins and compete effectively both with branded products and other retailers' brands.

"That's exactly the opportunity being offered by the PLME Dubai-2005," says Boutros. "Business drivers from across the region - and the world - can meet directly with wholesalers, retailers and marketers representing every conceivable market sector."

Channels Exhibitions has been successfully organising many of Dubai's premier trade fairs since 1990, and the private label show is the only one of its kind in the Middle East.
"Dubai's strategic location as a global hub gives it strong influence in the development of the private label business, and this influence is evident in the growth trends reported by our exhibitors and by researchers such as Euromonitor."