Walmart topped the list of the Private Label Manufacturers Association’s 2024 Salute to Excellence Awards winners announced during day one the PLMA’s trade show in Chicago on November 17. The retail giant received 18 prizes, of which three were for frozen SKUs in its bettergoods™ line of chef-inspired products: Ricotta and Lemon Ravioli in 18 oz. packs; Cheesy Spinach Potatoes au Gratin; and pint-size Salted Caramel Pistachio Ice Cream.
This year, more than 760 products were submitted by 52 North American retailers, which is the highest number of submissions ever received. Among other award-winning frozen entries were: Know & Love Dairy-Free Caramel Sea Salt Gelato from Southeastern Grocers; Albertson Companies’ Signature Reserve Gorgonzola & Bacon with Pear Chutney Pizza; Member’s Mark Chicken Potstickers with Vegetables from Sam’s Club; First Street Buttermilk Waffles from Smart & Final Stores; Dollar General’s Clover Valley Vanilla Caramel Sundae Cones; and Irresistibles Tex Mex Japalepno Chicken & Vegetable Tacos from Metro Inc.
PLMA’s annual Salute to Excellence Awards program recognizes outstanding food and non-food products introduced within the last year by supermarkets, drug stores, mass merchandisers, convenience stores, online retailers, wholesalers and other vendors. Entries were sampled and evaluated by a panel of professional and consumer judges on several criteria, including taste, product concept, packaging and value for money.
The Private Label Manufacturers Association is a non-profit trade organization founded in 1979 to promote the store brands industry. With executive offices in New York City and international council offices in Amsterdam, PLMA represents more than 4,900 member companies worldwide. In addition to the Annual Private Label Trade Show in Chicago and its World of Private Label International Trade Show in Amsterdam, it hosts annual conferences and as well as executive education and professional development events.
Store Brands Month Launches in January
Meanwhile, the PLMA has announced that January 2025 will be celebrated as the inaugural Store Brands Month in the United States. The direct-to-consumer program is a partnership between retailers and manufacturers to promote the quality, value and excellence of store brands to shoppers.
PLMA President Peggy Davies shared highlights of the new industry collaboration during the association’s trade show in Chicago. The goal of Store Brands Month is to increase consumer trial by focusing attention on the positive attributes and practical factors of private label products – including value, digital convenience, ethical considerations, innovation and budget awareness – across all product categories in both brick-and-mortar and online retail formats.
“Store Brands Month provides an amazing opportunity to elevate the conversation around store brands and encourage more shoppers to explore these valuable options,” said Wakefern Food Corporation’s director of own brand product development and operations.
Along with Keasbey, New Jersey-headquartered Wakefern, many large national retailers from coast to coast have signed on to support Store Brands Month. Promotional strategies will be developed by participating retailers and executed both in-store and through a variety of digital and social media platforms.
“The time is right to bring greater visibility among consumers to our thriving industry,” Davies said. “By coming together with our partners during a month-long campaign, we have an opportunity to further expand the presence and strength of the largest CPG brand in the store: private brands.”
Annual sales of private label products have risen by 41% over the past five years. The PLMA is projecting that sales for 2024 will surpass a quarter trillion dollars, setting a record for annual revenue.
Store brands are ubiquitous in US grocery space. One in every four grocery products sold across the United States carries the store’s name or brand.
