78�NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2025 ABASTO.COM PRIVATE LABEL BRANDS Store brands, private labels, or private brands represent quality and perfor- mance equal to or superior to natio- nal brands, while ofering signifcant savings. As a result, their popularity continues to grow. One out of every four edible and non-edible products purchased by U.S. consumers across all sales outlets is a private brand su- pplied by a private label manufacturer. In 2024, total private label sales reached $271 billion—a $9 billion year-over-year increase and an all-ti- me high—across physical and online supermarkets, drug chains, and mass retailers. Total private label unit sales increased by 1.5 billion, reaching 67.4 billion, which is also a record. Beyond simply holding steady, pri- vate labels accounted for 47% of all sales gains last year in the U.S. retail industry ($9 billion of the total $19 billion growth), PLMA fgures reveal. Over the last four years, private la- bel annual dollar sales improved by $51.7 billion, or +23.6%, while priva- te label annual unit sales increased by 2.1%, or 1.4 billion. During the same period, national brands gained 11.5% in annual dollar sales but fell -6.8%, or 16.2 billion, in annual unit sales. All ten food and non-food depart- ments saw private label dollar growth last year compared to 2023. Refrige- rated (+7.5%), General Food (+4.3%), and Beverages (+4%) had the best gains. In private label unit growth, the top departments were Beverages (+3.5%), Pet Care (+3.5%), and House- hold Care (+3.3%). In a 2024 PLMA study, more than half of participating Gen Z shoppers said they “always/frequently” choo- se a place to shop because of its sto- re brands; 67% are “extremely/very” aware of store brands; 64% buy store brands “always/frequently”; and 56% are “extremely likely/likely” to expe- riment with store brands to fnd the “best value.” ...Continuation of page 76 PLMA 2025: ALCANCE GLOBAL SCOPE AND EXHIBITORS The show will feature +50 country pavilions 900 international suppliers will participate 63 countries from Europe, Latin America, and Asia. SCALE OF THE FAIR It will feature more than 35,000 food and non-food products There will be 3,100 stands available 2,000 exhibitors will participate in total