Scott Morris, Walmart’s Senior Vice President of Private Brands Food, Consumables, and Manufacturing, will deliver the keynote address at the PLMA 2026 Annual Meeting in Bentonville, Arkansas. The conference runs April 15–17 and will open with the theme “The Future of Private Brands.”
Early-bird registration is available until January 16, 2026.
“Scott Morris has been at the centre of Walmart’s private-brand evolution,” said Peggy Davies, President of PLMA. “His work on quality, value and innovation is shaping what millions of shoppers experience every day. We’re pleased to welcome him as keynote speaker for the 2026 meeting.”
Morris leads Walmart’s private-brand strategy across value, quality and innovation. His team works on strengthening the assortment, improving product development, and supporting long-term shopper loyalty. He has more than 38 years of experience in the retail sector with roles across operations, merchandising, marketing, strategy and supply chain.
In recent years, Walmart has invested heavily in raising the quality and visibility of its private-brand assortment. The company’s Bettergoods range and reformulated core brands have helped strengthen shopper trust and widen appeal across income levels. Industry analysts say Walmart’s private-label strategy now plays a major role in the retailer’s customer-loyalty programmes and long-term margin growth.
The 2026 conference will take place in Bentonville, continuing PLMA’s approach of bringing events close to major retail centres. The association’s wider programme also includes the World of Private Label trade show, held each year in Amsterdam as one of the industry’s largest private-label exhibitions.
This year’s theme, “Building Brands That Drive Success,” places attention on growth, collaboration and the evolution of private-label programmes.
Private-label products continue to outperform many national brands across North America. NIQ data shows store brands gained market share throughout 2024 and 2025, driven by value, premium innovation and stronger product development partnerships between retailers and manufacturers. Categories such as ready meals, snacks, beverages and household goods recorded some of the fastest growth, highlighting shifting consumer behaviour and rising confidence in retailer brands.
The agenda includes 12 breakout sessions spanning brand building, innovation, product development, emerging technologies, marketing, shopper engagement and strategic partnerships. Five plenary sessions anchor the main stage. PLMA will also continue its flexible “DIY” schedule, introduced in 2025, which allows attendees to customise their sessions throughout the conference.
For buyers and suppliers attending, Morris’s keynote sets the tone for how private-label programmes are evolving. Walmart’s decisions often signal broader market direction, from ingredient sourcing to sustainability standards and pricing architecture. His keynote is expected to give retailers clues on where shopper expectations are heading, and how suppliers can align their innovation plans for the next two to three years.
Speakers will include representatives from FMI, NIQ, Daymon, Path 2 Purchase Institute, Plante Moran, Lippincott, Circana and other organisations. PLMA will host its annual meeting alongside the 2026 Private Label Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.
The broader agenda will help manufacturers understand how major retailers are redesigning their private-label portfolios. Conference sessions will focus on new product pipelines, retailer-supplier collaboration, sourcing shifts, and the role of emerging technologies in product development. For suppliers, the meeting remains one of the most reliable settings to benchmark capabilities and secure strategic conversations with top retailers.
Bentonville is the birthplace of Walmart and home to its global headquarters. The town has been described as a new cultural hub, with museums, outdoor spaces and growing visitor traffic. It sits in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains and offers easy access from several major U.S. cities by air or road.
PLMA represents more than 5,200 member companies across private-label manufacturing and supports the sector with conferences, executive education and industry initiatives. The association also leads Store Brands Month, a national campaign highlighting the quality and value of store-brand products.
Editor’s Note
This story is based on information released by PLMA official site on 2 December 2025.
