Belgian retailer Delhaize said today (5 November) that increased promotional activity from national brands has slowed the growth of its private label sales in the US. “When national brands fight for the growth of their top line with some very interesting promotions consumers are interested. We have seen a lesser increase in private label than in 2008 and early 2009,” Delhaize CEO Pierre-Olivier Beckers said during a conference call. Delhaize operates a three-tier system of ‘good,... ...Read more »

Marks & Spencer is to sell a selected range of around 400 branded grocery and household products in all of its UK stores. The roll-out follows a 16 month trial in its stores in the North East and South East of England, the UK retailer said. The range of ambient products will be introduced into M&S stores over the next year, starting this month with additional stores in the trial areas, and expanding into other regions from January 2010. Branded grocery products will include Coca-Cola, Marmite,... ...Read more »

Consumers who are buying more private label brands say they won’t return to name brands in the foreseeable future, the yearlong shopper experience study currently underway by American-based The Integer Group and M/A/R/C Research has revealed. However, brand names still have the opportunity to claw back market share with sound strategy implementation. “Almost eight in 10 shoppers report seeking products on sale and comparing prices between brand name and store brands when buying groceries... ...Read more »

UK retailer Sainsbury is pitting its own-brand products with branded equivalents as part of a major in-store sampling spree for its Switch and Save campaign. ‘Taste Test Challenge’ stalls will be set up at 400 of Sainsbury’s supermarkets across the UK, at which a selection of own-brand products will be pitted against branded equivalents to see which customers prefer. Customers will be asked to put a token in one of two corresponding tubes so people can see whether own-brand or branded... ...Read more »

The growth in private label is likely to slow, although a shift in consumers’ loyalty from branded to own-label lines is “permanent”, according to European research. A report by retail consultancy Verdict Research showed that, since the fourth quarter of 2008, EU consumers have switched to private label on an “unprecedented scale”, Verdict said, with trading down and switching having become endemic. As a result, value has become the overriding objective for retailers... ...Read more »

As the recession gradually weakens, purchasing trends in grocery stores are not what you might expect, according to new market research from The NPD Group. Shoppers driven to store brands out of financial necessity now claim a longer term loyalty to these products. In fact, when asked what they purchased in the last 12 months and what they intend to buy in the next 12 months, store brands represent 50 per cent or more of food items for two of three households in both cases, demonstrating that criteria... ...Read more »

Mintel’s Global New Products Database (GNPD) has discovered that amid rampant private label food product development, manufacturers of the products are staying current with the latest food trends. Attempting to provide more than just cheap alternatives to national brands, the newest private label foods try to woo shoppers with premium ingredients, portability and health benefits. So far in 2009, Mintel’s GNPD has seen nearly 1,800 new US private label foods appear on retail store shelves:... ...Read more »

As private label continues to take share away from national brands, a Nielsen analyst has identified a number of simple ways for manufacturers to limit the private label threat. Tom Pirovano, Director of Industry Insights at Nielsen, notes that differentiation is the key, with ten ideas to take on generic brands: 1. Health claims – Look for claims you can make about your product. If it is natural let customers know, if it’s a good source of antioxidants let people know, but make sure... ...Read more »

Tough economic times have certainly been a boon for private label foods and beverages, but according to The NPD Group, a leading market research company, private label usage has been growing over the last decade and among all financial demographics. According to a new NPD report from America, Private Label Perceptions, Usage Patterns, & Intentions, last year, 24 per cent of all food and beverages served in homes were store brands, up from 18 per cent in 1999. In Australia, it is a similar story,... ...Read more »

The private label products of Australia’s largest supermarket operator are set to undergo a major facelift, according to a report on the weekend. Woolworths will work with Hulsbosch Strategy & Design to redesign some of its private label product lines in one of the biggest design briefs to be handed out this year, The Australian reported. The design company, which worked with Woolworths to create their new logo last year, is expected to focus on updating two brands within their private... ...Read more »