The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) has recognized 38 retail and other companies with Salute to Excellence awards for private label innovation.
The New York-based PLMA said that 2021 Tribute to Excellence Award Winners were recognized for last year’s best new private label products, spanning 79 food and non-food categories. The list of winners came from all food, drug and retail sectors – including national and regional supermarkets, mass merchants, warehouse clubs, drugstore chains and chain stores. one dollar – and included wholesalers/suppliers, convenience and specialty retailers, and agencies.
A total of 52 North American retailers provided more than 770 products for consideration for the 2021 awards, which PLMA says marks the highest number of submissions it has received for Salute to Excellence since its inception in 1986. Each product has been evaluated for taste and sensoriality. appeal, packaging, presentation and value for money by a jury of professionals and consumers.
Overall, 62 new food and beverage products won Salute to Excellence awards in 56 categories, including segments such as meal prep, family food, healthy eating, beverages, snacks, bakery and desserts and dairy products. Among non-food items, 25 products were honored in 23 categories, covering 12 health and beauty aid categories, plus 11 home and household categories, the latter including pet care.
Albertsons Cos.’ Signature Select Bar Mix Sweet & Spicy won Best New House Brand Snack/Trailer Mix. (Photo courtesy of Albertsons)
Walmart was the big winner, winning 12 Salute to Excellence awards, including from its Sam’s Club chain. BJ’s Wholesale Club came in second, totaling five awards. Other top winners include Albertsons Cos., Whole Foods Market, Metro, CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens with four awards each, followed by three winners Hy-Vee, Lidl US, Topco Associates, Price Chopper and Schnuck Markets.
The companies that won two awards are The Kroger Co., Aldi US, Smart & Final, Sobeys, Southeastern Grocers, Sprouts Farmers Market, United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI+), Weis Markets and Thrive Market.
Kroger Co.’s Kroger Hydro Go Caffeinated Waters have been recognized as the Best New Own-Brand Water Product. (Photo courtesy of Kroger)
“The winners exemplify how private label goes beyond consumer expectations,” PLMA President Peggy Davies said in a statement. “They represent exceptional quality, value and innovation.”
Wakefern Food Corp., Target, Meijer, SpartanNash, Giant Eagle, Dollar General, Tops Friendly Markets, Natural Grocers, Fresh Thyme Market, Rexall, Pricemart, Casey’s, Foxtrot, Mega Mart, the Defense Commissary Agency and Federated Group also received price. .
PLMA added that some of the winning products reflected own-brand trends such as eco-friendly housewares, organic food and bakery products, specialty beverages and user-friendly self-care products. These items included Kroger Hydro Go Caffeinated Water; Culinaria de Schnucks Raspberry-Lemon Italian Soda; Lidl organic coconut flour; Aldi’s Nature’s Nectar Aloe Vera Drink; Organic White Jasmine Rice from Thrive Market; Federated Group’s Seven Farms Organic Vanilla Almond Granola; Equate Eucalyptus Congestion Relief & Aromatherapy Shower Spray from Walmart; 365 Mini Rose Hydrosol by Whole Foods Market; Sprouts Bamboo Toilet Paper; and CVS Total Home Earth Essentials Compostable Birch Cutlery.
This year, there were more Salute to Excellence award winners and categories. For 2020, PLMA recognized 36 companies in nearly 70 food and non-food categories, with more than 720 products registered.
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