ALDI, Albertsons shine down the liquor aisle

ALDI, seasonal liquor

ALDI continues to innovate in the private label liquor space. The stores often greet customers first-thing with a long row of private branded wines and liquors. And when it comes to seasonality, such as with its cheeses, the retailer is always presenting limited, exclusive items. And the latest, perhaps for Valentine’s Day or the general holidays, is a new limited-time-only liquor that absolutely jumps off the shelf with its bright pink color.

Connellys Strawberry Country Cream, as spotted in an ALDI store in Niles, Ill., is said to be a mixer with coffee like a Bailey’s or sipped over ice.

The strawberry flavor does have an appealing sound, although gazing at the pink color long enough does make it look a bit like Peptol Bismol. We’re willing to take our chances.

Albertsons, Signature Reserve Whiskey

Chasing ALDI with a little bit of Tennessee whiskey, here’s a big bold bottle of Signature Reserve whiskey in an Albertsons store in Alhambra, Calif. The slick black label with that recessed woody image helps hammer the charred, oak barrel flavor of the four-year-old whiskey.

Flanked by the Four Roses and Henderson bottle, this private branded whiskey certainly stands out as premium.

Albertsons Cos. launched it Signature Reserve line of private label two years ago as a premium extension of its Signature brands, which the company says tallies more than $6 billion a year in sales. It began as a brand for coffees, ice cream, pasta sauces and other foods that were vetted by culinary experts, the company said. This is a pretty new extension into premium liquor, however.

Editors at affiliate brand the Path to Purchase Institute found the whiskey in the wild. For more private label merchandising images, members of are given access to an image vault that contains thousands of images. 

As always, if any readers want to share images of private brand displays, merchandising set ups and more that they've found, send them  to [email protected].