John Conlin, senior vice president of merchandising, food and beverage at Target, and Abby Cook, senior vice president of own brands for Ahold Delhaize USA, will describe the inner workings of their companies’ successful store brand programs to an audience comprised largely of private label food and nonfood suppliers at PLMA’s 2026 Private Label Trade Show, November 15-17, in Chicago, Illinois.
The executives will deliver keynote addresses at successive breakfast sessions: Conlin on Monday, November 16, and Cook on Tuesday, November 17, both at 8 AM at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, headquarters hotel for the show.
“This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from top retail executives leading their companies’ own brand strategies,” said Peggy Davies, president of the PLMA. “We’re looking forward to their insights into how strong retailer-supplier collaboration supports the evolution of their brands and creates opportunities for continued growth.”
Conlin leads Target’s food and beverage business and is responsible for all merchandising and buying activities, as well as the company’s owned brand food portfolio and sourcing operations. Since joining Target in 2000, he has held numerous leadership positions across merchandising and digital businesses, leading a wide range of categories including Seasonal, Home and Apparel. Prior to his current role, Conlin served as senior vice president of Properties and New Store Development.
“Our role at Target is really to curate the best food assortment in the industry,” he said in a recent interview. Food and beverage comprised 24% of the chain’s merchandise sales last year.
Cook oversees Ahold Delhaize USA’s Own Brands portfolio, leading strategy, innovation and execution to support growth and differentiation across the company’s grocery brands in the United States. She is responsible for positioning the portfolio for its next phase of growth and helping advance the company’s Growing Together strategy through product innovation, quality and value. Prior to her current role, Cook served as vice president of US strategy and portfolio, where she led the development and execution of key strategic priorities, including the advancement and long-term strategy for private label products.
“The role of our team is to stay a few horizons ahead, anticipating shopper needs and bringing innovation, quality and value to life through our Own Brands range,” said Cook.
Ahold Delhaize USA continues to expand its Own Brands offering, which is available across its local grocery banners, including Food Lion, The GIANT Company, Giant Food, Hannaford and Stop & Shop. The company’s portfolio consists of 12 private label brands. Among them are Nature’s Promise, which offers organic, plant-based and free-from products, and Taste of Inspirations, its premium specialty and gourmet food brand. Last year, the chain expanded the assortment with approximately 1,100 items focused on healthier options and ready-to-eat offerings.
About PLMA
The Private Label Manufacturers Association is a non-profit trade organization founded in 1979 to promote the store brands industry worldwide. With executive offices in New York City and International Council offices in Amsterdam, PLMA represents over 5,200 member companies in more than 80 countries. In addition to the Annual Private Label Trade Show in Chicago and its World of Private Label international exhibition in Amsterdam, the association provides in person and online events including annual conferences, executive education and professional development opportunities.
