PLMA Announces 2023 Private Label Hall of Fame Inductees
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NEW YORK (March 23, 2023) - The Private Label Hall of Fame Class of 2023 was inducted last night during PLMA’s Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference in Orlando. 

Presented by PLMA and Store Brands magazine, the Private Label Hall of Fame was created in 2006 to recognize the men and women who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the global private brand industry.  

This year, the Hall of Fame honors 16 individuals in four categories: Next Gen Private Label Leader, Private Brand Innovator, Private Brand Champion, and Lifetime Achievement. 

“We proudly celebrate the outstanding achievements of these proven leaders and innovators,” said PLMA President Peggy Davies. “Their hard work and dedication are instrumental to the success of the store brands business.” 


Private Label Hall of Fame Class of 2023
 

         Next Gen Private Label Leader: 

  • Anthony Cera III, Own Brands Manager, Perishables, SpartanNash    
  • Colleen Kangas, President, Purcell International      
  • Angela LePore, Senior Manager, Private Brands Product Development, Simmons Pet Food, Inc.    
  • Kristin Provost, Senior Manager, Category Insights, Topco Associates, LLC                 
     
    Private Brand Innovator:
     
  • Alicia Cook, Category Director, Save A Lot                        
  • Casey Creegan, Manager of Merchandising, Love’s Travel Stops        
  • Roger Scommegna, CEO, Flying Blue Imports         
  • Guido Tremolini, President/Co-Owner, G.S. Gelato

    Private Brand Champion: 
  • Shane Brown, Director, Own Brand Sourcing, Giant Eagle, Inc. 
  • Jill Clark, VP, Sales and Marketing, Dutch Gold Honey, Inc. 
  • Andrea Collaro, Senior Director, Owned Brands, Brand Management/Product Development, Walgreens Co. 
  • Kristie Nicolosi, CEO, The Kingswood Company

        Lifetime Achievement: 

  • Brenda Lord, Vice President, Private Brands, CVS Health          
  • Nancy Ragozzino, President, Ragozzino Foods, Inc.         
  • Andy Russick, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Pacific Coast Producers      
  • Jill Sando, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer, Target
     
    “The 16 honorees represent the best of the best from across the world of private label and showcase the depth of talent the industry has to offer,” said Store Brands magazine Executive Editor & Associate Publisher Greg Sleter. “This august group of retailers and suppliers have had a major impact on the private label business and will continue to do so in the years ahead.” 
     
    Profiles on all inductees will be featured in the May/June issue of Store Brands magazine, featured on StoreBrands.com, and posted in a special section of plma.com. 

     
    About PLMA 

    The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) is a non-profit trade organization founded in 1979 to promote the store brands industry. With executive offices in New York and International Council offices in Amsterdam, PLMA represents more than 4,000 member companies worldwide. In addition to the Annual Private Label Trade Show in Chicago and its World of Private Label Trade Show in Amsterdam, PLMA provides annual conferences, executive education and professional development opportunities. Follow PLMA on plma.com, plmainternational.com, Twitter and LinkedIn.
TREND ALERT: Wine Collaborations

Retailers are collaborating with renowned wine makers for new private label wines. New Seasons Market, for instance, partnered with Rodrigo Serrano, a noted winemaker from Argentina, for its Partners in Crime Malbec. The wine won a PLMA 2024 International Salute to Excellence Wine Award.

Click here to see all the winners.

PLMA’s 2022 Annual Salute to Excellence Awards Winners

Hundreds of food and nonfood submissions from retailers were evaluated recently by a panel of professional and consumer judges. The entries were judged on several criteria, including taste, packaging, product concept and value for money. Winners were announced during PLMA's 2022 Annual Private Label Trade Show in Chicago.

PLMA Salutes the Winning Retailers and Wholesalers of 2021
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PLMA salutes the winning retailers and wholesalers of 2021. The winners of this year's Salute to Excellence Awards gives recognition to outstanding private brands introduced in supermarkets, drug chains, mass merchandisers, wholesale clubs, convenience stores and specialty retailers from coast to coast, as well as online. More than 770 products were submitted for consideration in food & beverage, kitchen & household, and health & beauty.

PLMA’s Salute to Excellence Winners Announced
Salute to Excellence Logo

PLMA’s 2021 Salute to Excellence winners in private label have been revealed after more than 770 submissions from 52 North American retailers, the highest number of entries PLMA has received since the program began in 1986.

The winners consisted of more than 80 products across various categories. The Salute to Excellence awards reflected standout trends, such as products in the eco-friendly household goods category, organic foods, baking products, specialty beverages and self-care.

“The winners exemplify how store brands go above-and-beyond consumer expectations,” said PLMA President Peggy Davies. “They represent exceptional quality, value and innovation.” 

Winners include: Equate Eucalyptus Congestion Relief & Aromatherapy Shower Spray from Walmart; Mini Rose Hydrosol from 365 by Whole Foods Market; Kroger Hydro Go Caffeinated Water; Bamboo Bath Tissue from Sprouts; Total Home Earth Essentials Compostable Birch Cutlery from CVS;  Culinaria Raspberry-Lemon Italian Soda from Schnuck Markets; Nature's Nectar Aloe Vera Drink from Aldi; Seven Farms Organic Vanilla Almond Granola from Federated Group;  Organic White Jasmine Rice from Thrive Market; Lidl Organic Coconut Flour.

All submissions were grouped into one of several categories, including Meal Preparation, Beverages, Health & Beauty, Food for the Family, Healthy Eating, Snacks, Bakery & Desserts, Dairy and Home & Household. Each product was evaluated by a panel of professional and consumer judges on several criteria, including taste, sensory appeal, packaging, presentation, and value for money. 

Usually, the awards are unveiled during the Private Label Trade Show in Chicago, which was canceled out of health and safety concerns due to the pandemic. For a list of the winners please visit plmawinners.com.