Shopping with the wife this weekend we found ourselves at Walmart pushing a cart aisle by aisle. While many people are opposed to Walmart’s market share I do find it fascinating that in the face of roughly forty years Walmart has become the worlds largest retailer. I highly recommend reading Sam Walton’s book, “Made in America” as the story of Walmart growth is enough to inspire any entrepreneur.

As we were walking through Walmart shopping for necessities I noticed the tremendous amount of “Private Label” products offered. From Dog food to soda pop the Walmart name is branded on several items in fact through further research I found out that approximately 40% of all items sold in Walmart are private labeled.

What is private labeling?

Private labeling is simply the act of contracting with a manufacturing company to produce your own line of products with your chosen name brand. There are literally hundreds of manufacturers who are willing to produce a single product or complete product line thereby enhancing your business image and strengthening your relationship with your customer base.

Why would you want to private label?

Simply put, There’s no better way to support your store brand than to sell products bearing your store’s name. Your brand can create recognition in your geographic market whether your plans are to market locally, regionally, or nationwide there is a private label solution available.

Some examples of the more popular products which are private labeled include lotions, skin care products, cosmetics, perfumes, jewelry, apparel, home décor, snack foods, candy and coffee.

Here are a few examples of private label manufacturers who deal in small quantities:

Grafton Cosmetics – offers dedicated sales advisors who will walk you through the very necessary steps to guarantee that the development of your brand meets your business goals and your marketing strategies. Grafton Cosmetics offers a total private label solution from graphic label design to product manufacturing. Based in Florida - toll free 800-662-5387

Mister Snacks - offers dozens of snack lines for small to large retail stores, regional distributors, large supermarket chains, cruise lines, colleges, promotional campaigns and everything you can imagine. Let their creative artists help you design the look you want or you can provide your own logo. Based in New York 716-691-1500

Style Source Inc - Private label apparel manufacturer offering dresses, skirts, tanks, wraps, sarongs, pet apparel, maternity apparel and dozens more. Able to provide specific size ratios, labeling, packaging and many other value added services. Based out of North Carolina 910-399-2288

Autocrat - In business since 1895 retailers can develop a partnership with Autocrat’s private label coffee program.. Autocrat offers selling support that is committed to championing your growing business with package design, brochure assistance and growth incentives. Based in Rhode Island 800-288-6272

Nutricap Labs Offers private label solutions for the supplement / vitamin industry which will offer the ability for your business to build brand loyalty among your customers. Superior products at the most competitive prices offering cutting edge label printing and packaging design services. Based in New York 800-494-6154

Companies listed above are a sampling of manufacturers who are ready to produce your products under your business name.

For more information the Wholesale private label industry offers an annual trade show which is coming up August 16-18th in Chicago. More information can be found at the PLMA website or by calling PLMA direct at PLMA 212-972-3131

Private Label Fun Fact - Walmart’s, “Ol Roy” dry dog food is the Nations second best selling behind Purina. “Ol Roy” is exclusively manufactured by Mars, Inc., owner of Pedigree, Sheba and Whiskas pet foods. Ok, maybe not necessarily fun…But interesting-

Fashion industry trade shows are the best destinations for buyers and retailers to source apparel and accessories in all categories and price ranges, with total immersion in upcoming trends and one-on-one access to the broadest reach of media, advertisers and online marketers in the trade.

Entering the final stretch of holiday gift sales — transacted by wholesalers, buyers and sellers by late last summer — it is time to plan for big trade shows in the next two months. These regional and national shows set the mood for urban safari cruise wear, khaki and wheat and neutral tones, the next leisure wear trends and the hottest priced off-price fashion lots.

We’ve even listed a mid-winter Snow Sports Show, a January 08 fashion show that follows up on New York Fashion Week of October 07, and an industry site where you can find smaller, or more specialized, or closer-to-home-base fashion trade shows. Start networking!

New York

Shows overlapping in the Big Apple from January 2 through January 18 include the NY Women’s Apparel Show, Fashion Avenue Market Expo, The Accessories Show and Moda Manhattan. From February 1 through 8, NYC hosts Just Kidstuff and the New York International Gift Fair. From January 6 to 8, New York presents the Designers & Agents Fashion Trade Show focusing on contemporary and young designer women’s sportswear, shoes, accessories and lifestyle clothing. (D & A heads to Los Angeles on January 11.)

Midwest

Chicago Shoe Expo is scheduled January 3 and 4; the Michigan Shoe Market is staged in Livonia from January 6 to 7. Los Angeles Designers & Agents Fashion Trade Show focusing on contemporary and young designer women’s sportswear, shoes, accessories and lifestyle clothing sets up in L.A. from January 11 through 13.

Las Vegas

Between February 10 and 14, Las Vegas hosts an overlapping series of trade shows, starting with Off Price Specialist Show opening February 10 (Men’s and Women’s apparel and accessories), extending to The Kids Show, ASAP Global Sourcing Show and Women’s Wear in Nevada beginning February 11.

Sponsored by the SnowSports Industry Association of America, and open only to the trade, the SIA SnowSports Trade Show opens in Las Vegas from January 29 to February 1. Billed as the largest snow sports trade event, this show presents nearly 1000 brands to a network of 20,000 industry professionals focused on the snow sports industry and the “family business” of snow.

Find a Fashion Trade Show Near You and Network

If you’re closer to trade shows in Munich or Berlin, if you find Billings, Montana more convenient, or if a specialty event like “Start Your Own Clothing and Accessories Company” seminar (Atlanta on February 2, 2008) is of interest, check this fashion trade show calendar site:

Infomat: http://www.infomat.com/calendar/infsi0000164.html

Sort through fashion trade shows all over the world by month and by city.