DUBAI — The inaugural Private Label and Licensing Middle East exhibition, taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on Oct. 29-31, will provide a strategic incubation platform for heavyweight local, regional and international businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs to tap into worldwide business opportunities across the rapidly accelerating private labeling, brand licensing and contract manufacturing sectors.
According to the latest Nielsen Total Consumer Report, sales of premium private - or store - label products are growing at 6.3 per cent year-on-year, resulting in private label brands now outpacing traditional multinational brands and “posting dollar growth more than three times the rate of branded products”.
Private Label and Licensing Middle East 2019, the MENA region’s first dedicated private label and licensing exhibition, enabling visitors to explore new business and product convergence avenues by connecting them with private label suppliers, contract manufacturers and solution providers from across the global FMCG sector.
Label and Licensing Middle East in response to persistent exhibitor and visitor feedback for a dedicated platform to address rapidly expanding private labeling and brand licensing opportunities in the region.
Consequently, a plethora of industry heavyweights will participate in the inaugural event, including Carrefour (Retail Excellence Partner); TetraPak (Packaging Masterclass Partner), Cartoon Network (Category Sponsor – Licensing) and Gold sponsors, FlavourTech and Al Emlaq.
“After significant successes in Europe and the Americas, we want to leverage on Tetra Recart (Retorted Carton Food) large network of manufacturers and co packers to give access to Private Label, Regional Brands and Licensing in Middle East. With close to 60 installations across the globe, our customers can provide a wide range of products and packages, which are not yet available in the Middle East” said Thierry Gihan, Product and Marketing Director, Tetra Pak, Tetra Recart
Private Label and Licensing Middle East, which falls under the Gulfood power brand banner, will go beyond the food industry and unite more than 130 international brands from dozens of product sectors and 50-plus countries. The expo will bring together some of the biggest names in hospitality, including hotels and catering, alongside mega regional FMCG players such as pharmacy chain LIFE; e-commerce giant Amazon, Saudi Arabia’s retail company Panda; regional retail brand Nesto Hypermarket LLC, Movenpick Hotel Istanbul, cosmetics brands and more.
Perfect timing for dedicated exhibition and summit
With MENA consumers - particularly those within the UAE and Saudi Arabia - becoming more price conscious, and value perceptions of non-branded products driving increased private label product sales right across the FMCG sphere, Private Label and Licensing Middle East organiser DWTC reiterated the platform will provide a customised convergence point for key industry decision-makers and disruptors.
“Consumer preferences and buying habits are changing at a rapid pace and retailers are having to react to remain relevant. With change comes opportunity and private labelling, brand licensing and contract manufacturing open a wealth of potential new avenues for industry stalwarts and new prospects across the full spectrum of food and non-food FMCGs,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice Presidents, Events and Exhibitions, DWTC.
“With so many major retail, commerce and manufacturing heavyweights partnering the inaugural Private Labeling and Licensing Middle East, the event is shaping up to underline Dubai’s status as a multi-faceted business incubation hub and strategic gateway to global markets.” — SG
