2024 Private Label Hall of Fame: John Solomon of Kroger
Sixteen leaders from the world of private brands were recently honored as the newest inductees to the Private Label Hall of Fame during a ceremony held during the Private Label Manufacturers Association’s (PLMA) Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Tex. Members of the Class of 2024 are a combination of long-time leaders and up-and-coming visionaries who have provided a strong foundation for an industry that continues to see record-setting growth.
RELATED: The complete list of the Private Label Hall of Fame Class of 2024
Created in 2006 to recognize those who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the global private brand industry, this year’s event featured retail and product supplier honorees in four categories. They include Next Gen Private Label Leader, Private Brand Innovator, Private Brand Champion, and Lifetime Achievement.
John Solomon
Senior Category Manager
The Kroger Co.
John Solomon, a titan within The Kroger Co. for more than 40 years, is one of four Lifetime Achievement honorees in the Private Label Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024. Although retired since 2015, Solomon’s impact on the grocer is still seen today at Kroger’s many stores across the U.S. He is credited with revolutionizing Kroger's private brand offerings and launching them into the organic and natural food arena.
At one time Kroger, like most conventional supermarkets, had little to no presence in the organic food market. Recognizing the potential for major supermarkets to compete in the specialty space, Solomon championed the creation of the grocer’s Simple Truth Organic brand. Launched during a recession, his foresight proved to be a billion-dollar stroke of genius. Simple Truth Organic now boasts annual sales exceeding $2 billion and is available in more than 2,800 Kroger stores across 35 states.
“Being named a Private Label Hall of Fame honoree is one of the proudest moments of my career with Kroger. I loved every day working with the various people and products in private label over the years,” he said. "The suppliers that called on me were the best in the business doing a wonderful job balancing the demands of their company while fulfilling the needs of Kroger."
Solomon's impact extended beyond the creation of a single brand. Described as having a "no-nonsense style" and a "very intimidating presence," he demanded excellence from those who sought to do business with Kroger. This rigorous approach not only ensured Kroger received the best products but also honed the skills of countless salespeople and product representatives.
“I am proud of my reputation of being ‘firm yet fair’ and in all my years, my integrity was never called into question,” he said. “Those qualities, I believe, make me a true Private Label Hall of Famer.”
Solomon's legacy lives on in the success of Kroger's private brand offerings such as Simple Truth Organic. His willingness to take risks and his keen understanding of the market forever changed the landscape of grocery shopping in America.
“It was great managing private label products in the Gateway Division in St. Louis, but then having the opportunity to work on private label products on the corporate level was a dream come true for me,” he said.