MARCA AWARDS 2026: New Recognitions for Excellence in Private Label

Marca by BolognaFiere & ADM is launching the Marca Awards, a new initiative set to redefine the standards of excellence for the Private Label industry.

The awards will be a highlight of the upcoming trade fair, scheduled for January 14–15, 2026, at BolognaFiere, reinforcing the event’s role as a key trendsetter for the sector. This new format is the first to celebrate, within a single integrated ecosystem, both outstanding product innovation and the industrial excellence of manufacturing companies, honoring the entire value chain that drives the growth and competitiveness of Private Labels.

The awards will be showcased in the Marca Trend Area, a dynamic space within the exhibition center where visitors can discover the latest retailer trends and the innovations presented by industrial partners.

As Private Labels become an increasingly strategic lever for modern retail, the awards broaden the sector’s outlook by introducing a new category dedicated to packaging. This highlights how packaging solutions have become as crucial as product quality, offering retailers and buyers a practical tool to anticipate market trends.

The new structure allows companies to compete for two complementary awards with a single application, providing a comprehensive overview of the industry’s best:

  • Best Innovation Product: An evolution of the former IPLS award, this prize is dedicated to the most innovative private label products. It is divided into five key development areas: Sustainability; Food well-being (including pet food); Indoor & outdoor non-food well-being; Origin, provenance, supply chain and transparency; and Packaging.
  • Best Copacker Profile: Evolving from the PLM Awards, this recognition rewards the industrial excellence and reliability of production partners. It covers nine categories spanning the entire product range: groceries, beverages, fresh products, frozen foods, home care, personal care, pet care, other non-food products, and packaging.

This synergistic structure promotes both product innovation and the organizational excellence behind it, positioning Private Label as a driver of development for retailers internationally. Thanks to a partnership between Marca by BolognaFiere & ADM and PL Magazine, with support from IPLC, the awards serve as a concrete tool for identifying the best innovations and the most reliable partners.

The award ceremony will be held on January 14, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Marca Fair.

For more information on how to participate, interested companies are invited to visit the official website of Marca by BolognaFiere & ADM.

www.marcabybolognafiere.com

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