2023 Game Changers: Jac Ross, Sprouts Farmers Market
As consumer demand for private label products grows, retailers and suppliers continue to up their game bringing to market a bevy of new products across multiple categories. Product launches over the past year show a continued effort to give consumers high value items that offer retailers the opportunity to differentiate from their competitors.
For the third year, Store Brands is honoring those in private label that are pushing the boundaries and driving the industry forward. Below are the people, product innovations and brands that are this year’s Game Changers.
Jac Ross, VP Sprouts Brand, Sprouts Farmers Market
In the two years since joining Sprouts Farmers Market, Jac Ross, vice president of Sprouts Brands, has driven private brand growth for the grocer. That effort took another step prior to the start of 2023 as she partnered with senior leadership to make private label growth a top priority for the company.
“I’m very passionate about products and ensuring we have the very best products on our shelves through attention to detail,” said Ross, a 2023 Store Brands Game Changer. “I love working with the private brands industry and especially in retail. It’s such a dynamic industry with so many great people.”
She attributes her success to building a strong network internally and externally, and takes the time to listen and observe before making significant decisions. Also, Ross said her success is driven by her willingness to leverage assistance from others.
“It’s certainly a team effort,” she said. “I certainly couldn’t have achieved a high level of success without the support of my team, both direct and more broadly across the organization and our supplier base.”
According to Ross, her greatest accomplishment has been the Sprouts’ private brand success as the grocer surpassed the $1 billion mark in private label sales in 2022, which also took the in-house Sprouts Brand to a penetration level of more than 19%.
“This was up significantly from when I joined Sprouts in 2021,” she said. “A big part of this increase was the redesign of our Sprouts Brand packaging. I’m so proud of the work we have done in this area - we are really making things happen.”
As a 2023 Game Changer, Ross said the time spent identifying her purpose – creating lasting memories through courageous adventures – outlines how she thinks about her life both in and out of work.
“This approach to being willing to try new things and driving change through courageous choices is how I have taken risks over my career,” she said. “Combined with having a positive outlook and my approach to problem solving is how I believe I have facilitated and driven change.”