The Non-public Label Producers Affiliation (PLMA) has honored 38 retail and different corporations with Salute to Excellence Awards for private-brand innovation.
New York-based PLMA mentioned the 2021 Salute to Excellence Award winners had been acknowledged for final yr’s greatest new private-label merchandise, spanning 79 meals and nonfood classes. The record of winners got here from throughout the meals, drug and mass retail channel — together with nationwide and regional supermarkets, mass retailers, warehouse golf equipment, drugstore chains and greenback retailer chains — and included wholesalers/suppliers, comfort and specialty retailers, and companies.
A complete of 52 North American retailers supplied greater than 770 merchandise to be thought-about for the 2021 awards, which PLMA famous marks the very best variety of submissions it has obtained for Salute to Excellence since its inception in 1986. Every product was evaluated for style and sensory attraction, packaging, presentation and worth for the cash by a panel {of professional} and client judges.
Total, 62 new meals and beverage merchandise earned Salute to Excellence awards in 56 classes, together with segments resembling meal preparation, meals for the household, wholesome consuming, drinks, snacks, bakery and desserts, and dairy. Amongst nonfoods, 25 merchandise had been honored in 23 classes, masking in 12 well being and sweetness aids classes plus 11 classes for house and family, the latter together with pet care.
Albertsons Cos.’ Signature Choose Bar Combine Candy & Spicy received for the very best new private-label snack/path combine. (Photograph courtesy of Albertsons)
Walmart was the highest winner, garnering 12 Salute to Excellence awards, together with from its Sam’s Membership chain. BJ’s Wholesale Membership got here in second, totaling 5 awards. Different main winners included Albertsons Cos., Entire Meals Market, Metro, CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens with 4 awards apiece, adopted by three-award winners Hy-Vee, Lidl U.S., Topco Associates, Value Chopper and Schnuck Markets.
Corporations successful two awards included The Kroger Co., Aldi U.S., Sensible & Remaining, Sobeys, Southeastern Grocers, Sprouts Farmers Market, United Pure Meals Inc. (UNFI+), Weis Markets and Thrive Market.
The Kroger Co.’s Kroger Hydro Go Caffeinated Waters was acknowledged as the highest new own-brand water product. (Photograph courtesy of Kroger)
“The award winners exemplify how retailer manufacturers go above-and-beyond client expectations,” PLMA President Peggy Davies mentioned in an announcement. “They signify distinctive high quality, worth and innovation.”
Additionally receiving awards had been Wakefern Meals Corp., Goal, Meijer, SpartanNash, Large Eagle, Greenback Normal, Tops Pleasant Markets, Pure Grocers, Recent Thyme Market, Rexall, Pricemart, Casey’s, Foxtrot, Mega Mart, the Protection Commissary Company and Federated Group.
PLMA added that a few of the successful merchandise mirrored own-brand developments resembling eco-friendly family items, natural meals and baking merchandise, specialty drinks and user-friendly self-care merchandise. These objects included Kroger Hydro Go Caffeinated Water; Culinaria Raspberry-Lemon Italian Soda from Schnucks; Lidl Natural Coconut Flour; Nature’s Nectar Aloe Vera Drink from Aldi; Natural White Jasmine Rice from Thrive Market; Seven Farms Natural Vanilla Almond Granola from Federated Group; Equate Eucalyptus Congestion Reduction & Aromatherapy Bathe Spray from Walmart; Mini Rose Hydrosol from 365 by Entire Meals Market; Bamboo Bathtub Tissue from Sprouts; and Complete House Earth Necessities Compostable Birch Cutlery from CVS.
This yr noticed extra Salute to Excellence Award winners and classes. For 2020, PLMA honored 36 companies in practically 70 meals and nonfood classes, with greater than 720 merchandise submitted.
