Supervalu's Abraham to deliver keynote address at PACK EXPO.
Press Release Summary:
In keynote address on Oct 6, Andrew Abraham, VP, Our Own Brands for SUPERVALU will challenge packaging suppliers, contract packagers, and designers to bring innovative technologies and concepts to private label sector. Titled "Packaging - A Holistic Approach to Winning," presentation will explore Packaging for Retail Efficiency, Packaging for Communication Effectiveness, Packaging for Brand Positioning, and Differentiation and Mainstreaming Sustainability.
Original Press Release:
Supervalu's Abraham to Call for Greater Private Label Innovation in Pack Expo Keynote
Arlington, Va.; Aug. 14, 2009 -Despite - or perhaps because of- today's economy, private label brands are experiencing tremendous success. To enhance this growth, Andrew Abraham, vice president, Our Own Brands for SUPERVALU, will challenge packaging suppliers, contract packagers and designers to bring innovative technologies and concepts to the burgeoning private label sector in a keynote address at PACK EXPO (October 5-7; Las Vegas Convention Center). Abraham will deliver his address on Tuesday, October 6.
In his presentation titled, "Packaging - A Holistic Approach to Winning," Abraham will explore four key areas of opportunity where the private brand industry and the packaging supply chain can unite for success: Packaging for Retail Efficiency, Packaging for Communication Effectiveness, Packaging for Brand Positioning and Differentiation and Mainstreaming Sustainability.
The discussion will focus on the need for greater strategic alliances between private brand suppliers and manufacturers to provide joint solutions that bring value to retailers through labor savings and a "One Touch approach." These stronger relationships will also result in packaging that helps boost a retailer's brand image on the shelf and enhance the consumer shopping experience.
Abraham will also highlight how today's private brands are focusing on strategic design to project brand personality, effectively communicate value, and compete with quality perceptions of national brands. The interest private brands have in realizing sustainability opportunities - particularly when they can be linked to innovation and first-to-market initiatives - will also be explored.
A member of the SUPERVALU team since 2008, Abraham is vice president, Our Own Brands, for SUPERVALU. The Fortune 100 Company is one of the largest companies in the United States grocery channel with estimated annual sales of $42 billion. In this position, Abraham oversees the strategic direction, as well as the marketing, packaging, product development and sourcing organizations for SUPERVALU's line of private label products.
Abraham joined the company as vice president, Brand Management and Strategy, Our Own Brands, where he was charged with developing brand strategies and product launches for SUPERVALU's private label business. Prior to moving to SUPERVALU, Abraham assumed various positions at Proctor and Gamble, Radio Shack, Roundy's and Playtex.
"A recent study from The NPD Group indicates that in 2008, 24 percent of all food and beverages served in American homes were store brands, up from 18 percent in 1999. Today, 97 percent of all households consume private label foods on a regular basis," says Charles D. Yuska, president and CEO of PMMI, sponsor and producer of PACK EXPO. "While the recession has played a role in the growth of this sector, consumers are choosing private label brands due to overall value and quality. To continue to spur consumer interest, industry leaders like SUPERVALU are turning to their packaging supply chain partners to introduce products that build brand loyalty with high impact package designs, unique in-store branding opportunities and strong sustainability platforms."
Joining Abraham on the keynote schedule will be Doug Palmer, Vice President / Own Brands with The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company. His presentation entitled "The Future of Retailer Packaging and Branding - the A&P Story," will open the keynote programming on Monday October 5.
Closing the keynote programming on Wednesday, October 7 will be Steve Ryder, Store Design and Planning Director, Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, and Kevin O'Donnell, Founder, thread collaborative. The duo will provide a behind-the-scenes look at how Fresh & Easy has established itself in the U.S. and its commitment to engage consumers in new ways.
Packagers can register for the keynote speeches and the entire Conference at PACK EXPO program at www.packexpo.com. The fee for registrations received on or before September 15, 2009 will be $55 per session. After September 15, 2009, and on site, the cost will increase to $75. Registration for the exhibits at PACK EXPO is required to register for conference program sessions.
To register for PACK EXPO or obtain more information, visit www.packexpo.com or contact PMMI's Show Department at 703.243.8555 or expo@pmmi.org.
About PMMI
PMMI is a trade association with more than 550 member companies that manufacture packaging and packaging-related converting machinery, commercially-available packaging machinery components, containers and materials in the United States and Canada. PMMI's vision is to be the leading global resource for packaging, and its mission is to improve and promote members' abilities to succeed in a global marketplace. PMMI organizes the PACK EXPO trade shows: PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas and EXPO PACK Mexico. Learn more about PMMI at pmmi.org
PACK EXPO Las Vegas will be held October 5-7, 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show will be co-located with PROCESS EXPO and Converting & Package Printing EXPO. PMMI also produces EXPO PACK Mexico, the premier packaging show in Mexico serving the Latin American region. This show will be held June 22-25, 2010 at Centro Banamex, Mexico City, Mexico. PACK EXPO International 2010 will be held Oct. 31-Nov. 3, 2010 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Visit www.packexpo.com for more information.
