The conventional wisdom has always been that store brands do well in good times and even better in bad times. Well, we've never seen the economy quite as chaotic as we're experiencing now so I'm not sure how to accurately assess our status. We are undoubtedly navigating uncharted territory.

What I can say with certainty is that, as an industry, we would be wise to stick with our tried-and-true principles. Offer our retail customers products, packaging and services that they can develop for their brands which offer their customers innovation and quality with value. Simple, but not always easy.

Our just-concluded Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference provided plenty to be optimistic about. We're positioned well and there is great opportunity ahead. Nevertheless, we face substantial challenges and potential pitfalls, some of which are familiar and others entirely new. PLMA remains committed to supporting you through these turbulent times and stands ready to offer assistance in any way we can.