PLMA e-scanner April 12, 2025
Private Label Manufacturers Association
In Case You Missed It: Capturing Trips Through Private Brands
Industry consulting and branding experts Bobby Gibbs and David Mayer revealed the transformative impact of private brands on consumer engagement through social media strategies. Watch highlights from their PLMA Live! Lunch and Learn presentation here:
Data Points: Yogurt Sales
$1.2 billion
The amount of store brand yogurt sales in all outlets for the 52 weeks ending February 23, 2025, a 14% increase vs the same period the prior year, according to PLMA’s latest Circana Unify+ data.
Data Points: Private Label and Shopper Loyalty
38%
The percentage of consumers in 2024 who said they always or frequently choose a retailer based on store brands carried rose to 38%, up from 31% in 2021, according to a Circana webinar, entitled “From Growth to Transformation: The U.S. CPG Private Label Story.”
Watch Webinar here:
Trend Alert: Flavored Butter
Flavored butter can be used to enhance the flavor of pancakes, waffles, potatoes and more. At Kroger, there’s Private Selection® Premium Butter with Garlic Parmesan & Basil; and Private Selection® Premium Butter with Honey & Cinnamon flavored butter.
Ideas and Inspiration – Greenhouse Greens
Wegmans Food Markets recently expanded its line of private label greenhouse-grown produce. In addition to tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, it now offers greens, including whole head lettuce and a spring mix. Plus, it has several varieties of greenhouse-grown salad kits that come in a peel-and-reseal container:
Among the flavors:
- Southwest - Green Leaf Lettuce, Yellow & Blue Corn Tortilla Strips, Cotija Cheese, Fire-Roasted Corn with Chipotle Ranch Dressing.
- Caesar - Green Leaf Lettuce, Parmesan Cheese, Crispy Chickpeas, Garlic Crouton Crumbles, Crispy Quinoa with Caesar Dressing.
- Mediterranean - Green Leaf Lettuce, Feta Cheese, Roasted Lentils, Herb-Seasoned Flatbread Strips with Greek Dressing.
Watch our news report on greenhouse-grown produce at Wegmans and other retailers here:
TREND ALERT: Tepache
Tepache is a fermented, probiotic-rich beverage commonly made from the peel and rind of pineapples. Natural Grocers, Lakewood, Colo. has introduced its own Organic Raw Tepache. Flavors include Mango Chile and Citrus.
IDEAS AND INSPIRATION: Central Market, Casey's, Ace Hardware
- Central Market, Austin, Texas, offers Icelandic-style skyr yogurt in several unique flavors, including spiced peach, coconut, Meyer lemon, tart cherry and Tahitian vanilla.
- Convenience store Casey’s General Stores, Ankeny, Iowa, sells private label health care products, including Casey's “4good” ibuprofen and sinus relief tablets.
- Wild bird lovers can stock up on food at Ace Hardware, Oak Brook, Ill., which carries Ace Songbird Black Oil Sunflower Seed, among many other varieties.
STUDY: Consumers Value Health Benefits of Natural, Organic
Three-quarters (75%) of all shoppers purchased at least one natural or organic product in the last six months, with 59% responding that they think it's important that their groceries and/or household products are natural and/or organic, according to a study from Acosta Group.
Plus, more than half (58%) purchase natural and/or organic products because they "are better for them" (healthier) and they "tend to have fewer synthetic chemicals and additives."
"Our natural and organic shopper study reflects opportunities for brands and retailers to build increased shopper trust, loyalty, and sales," said Kathy Risch, SVP, Thought Leadership and Shopper Insights, Acosta Group. "Three key learnings include the growing role of natural and organic products for consumers, especially related to health, the value of product placement in the natural channel, and the need for education on the definition and benefits of natural and organic products."
The study confirms that the primary driver for natural and organic product sales is a prioritization of health, according to Acosta.
Among other results:
Younger consumers are even more likely to be natural and organic shoppers, with 89% of Gen Z and 85% of Millennials reporting they have shopped for natural and organic products in the prior six months.
The "food as medicine" movement is expected to gain traction.
"This is the time for natural and organic brands and retailers to build direct connections with consumers, informing them of the facts and benefits of the products, dispelling misperceptions, and driving trial and loyalty," said John Carroll, president, Digital Commerce and Advanced Analytics, Acosta Group.
Panel Explores C-Store Private Label Growth
Dana Sump, Senior Category Manager for Non-Alcohol Beverages at Casey's General Stores, will be part of a panel discussion on private label at c-stores at the 2025 Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference, April 2-4 at the Mountain Shadows Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz.
The panel will address emerging opportunities for private label in c-stores.
The c-store industry has witnessed private label growth in categories throughout the store, including confections, non-alcohol beverages, snacks and much more.
Among many other examples:
C-stores are launching exclusive beer collaborations with local brewers. For instance, Stewart’s Shops teamed with craft brewer Paradox Brewery to reintroduce private label Mountain Brew beer. And Rutter’s partnered with Rusty Rail Brewing Company last year for a fall seasonal beer dubbed Haunted Harvest Pumpkin Spice Ale.
- 7-Eleven recently added to its beverage lineup with a new energy beverage, 7-Select Fusion Energy, and a new premium hydration beverage, 7-Select Rehydrate.
- Love’s Travel Stops has launched its Traverse Travel Gear own brand, which includes a mix of road trip essentials that offer comfort while on the go.
- TXB has added new drinks and snacks.
Of note, several c-stores are among PLMA’s 2024 Salute to Excellence award winners for private label innovation. 7-Eleven won for its 24-7 Life by 7-Eleven 100% Mesquite Charcoal Briquets, 7-Select Rehydrate Fruit Punch and 7-Select Fruit Squeeze pouches, while Love’s won for its Traverse Travel Gear Travel Pillow.