PLMA e-scanner December 3, 2022

A popular destination at the show was PLMA’s Idea Supermarket, a special showcase of new products from show exhibitors, store brand commercials and innovative products from retailers around the world.

PLMA also announced the winners of its Salute to Excellence program at the show. The annual awards recognize outstanding food and nonfood products introduced within the last year at supermarkets, drug stores, mass merchandisers and many other retailers. More than 725 products from 50 North American retailers were submitted.

Winners included Walmart’s Sam's Choice™ oat milk chocolate bar; Albertsons’ Signature Reserve™ ravioli with porcini mushrooms and truffle; and biodegradable household cleaner from Sprouts Farmers Market were among PLMA’s 2022 Salute to Excellence award winners for store brand innovation.

“I congratulate all the retailers who participated in this year’s program,” said PLMA President Peggy Davies. “These awards prove that store brands are leading the retail industry and giving shoppers the high-quality, high-value and great-tasting products they want.”

Other winners included: Full Circle Market™ Plant-Based Bolognese-Style Pasta Sauce from Topco Associates; Earth Grown™ Non-Dairy Mocha Fudge Almond Milk Frozen Dessert, from Aldi. In Eco-Friendly Nonfoods winners included Total Home® Stainless Steel Silicone Straws from CVS, and Multi-Use Biodegradable Cleaner from Sprouts Farmers Market.

In the organics category, award winners included Regeneratively Grown Organic Nepali Golden Black Loose-Leaf Tea from Thrive Market; SE Grocers Prestige-brand Organic Chili-Flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Southeastern Grocers; Simple Truth Organic™ Chocolate Chip Baked Energy Bar from Kroger; and 365 by Whole Foods Market-brand Organic Fair Trade Unsweetened Coconut Shreds from Whole Foods.

The countdown now begins for PLMA’s 2023 Private Label Trade Show, to be held again at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago, on November 12-14.

Like the private label industry in general, this growth in private label sales for Walmart has been happening though most of the year. The president and CEO of Walmart U.S., John Furner, noted the shift by its shoppers to private label products began in March of this year. He said it had been 13 years since the last time Walmart saw such a significant period of growth for its store brands.

 “We've been pretty open over the years that we don't necessarily manage private brand to a specific target, but what we do in private brand is develop great quality items and great values,” he said.

Overall, for the third quarter Walmart reported company-wide revenue of over $152 billion, an increase of 8.7% when compared to the comparable quarter in 2021.

Becca McKenzie, marketing manager for Own Brands, said this is a continuation of a process to increase store brand sales which began a few years ago. She also cited that it is not only price but a good private label marketing campaign that helps sales.

 “From a marketing standpoint, although the items offer a lower price to shoppers, we focus on product quality. We say our products are better than national brands. We are also active on social media and use those platforms to highlight our own brand products,” added McKenzie.

Rick Weekley, the company’s senior director of Own Brands Marketing, pointed out how sustainability has also become an important decision maker in the company’s product development of its store brands.

“It’s no longer about just having a pretty label, stacking it up and selling it,” he said. “It is about social responsibility. Our own research at the store level validates what we are seeing nationally. Sustainability is escalating as a reason to buy products.”

Recently, the company gave its selection of store-branded products a boost with the addition of 480 “indulgence and convenience” products sold under the Fresh & Finest brand. The assortment includes a variety of freshly cut produce along with take-and-break bread that serves as grab-and-go items for shoppers.

Southeastern Grocers did not comment on the reports of the sales but also did not dismiss them out of hand.

“We do not comment on market rumors,” a company spokeswoman said in response to the story. “With that said, we are always reviewing ways to enhance shareholder value, and to the extent that credible strategic or other shareholder value enhancing transactions emerge, we have an obligation to consider them."

"While the potential for any such transaction remains ever present in our industry, we will remain focused upon advancing our transformational strategy, supporting our associates, and delivering a world-class shopping experience for our customers.”

Agnefjäll praised retiring CEO Kevin Holt for the company’s growth and leadership transition. "It is a testament to Kevin’s leadership that we were able to select his successor from our own ranks.”

The president and CEO of Ahold Delhaize, Frans Muller, echoed those sentiments. “Under Kevin’s leadership, our U.S. businesses have performed exceptionally well, and he has always led with customers and associates in mind,” he said.

Fleeman has spent the majority of his 30-year career in grocery retail in Ahold Delhaize companies, including Food Lion, the company’s largest U.S. brand, serving a diverse array of executive leadership roles. He is expected to take over the job in April 2023.