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April 2021
Apr 07
Dick’s Sporting Goods flexes own brands in stores
Store Brands in the Wild visits the chain to see beautiful merchandising for its newly launched VRST brand and all of its own brands.
ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR
May 2021
May 14
C-P Flexible Packaging expands pre-made poly bag production
The company is adding three converting lines to its Buffalo, N.Y.-based facility. The bags are used for food products and more for in-store and e-commerce distribution.
May 13
Walmart to bring virtual try-on experience to its apparel
The retailer has acquired virtual fitting room provider Zeekit, which will enable shoppers to virtually try on its own brands before buying and share images socially with friends.
May 13
Kroger seeks fresh food suppliers
The retailer opened an online application process for suppliers looking to join its first Go Fresh & Local Supplier Accelerator that will occur in August in Cincinnati.
May 13
Bed Bath & Beyond bolsters merchandising team
The rejuvenated home store has added Stacey Shively, a former Target and JCPenney executive, to the role of SVP, general merchandise manager.
May 13
Thrive Market creates exclusive frozen meals with Beyond Meat
The online grocer developed five meals using the plant-based meat product, building on a previous partnership offering an line of exclusive plant-based chillis.
May 12
Big Lots raises money to benefit local veterans memorial museum
For the second year, the discount retailer offers consumers a chance to donate at checkout to serve the museum and veterans; military members and veterans also get an additional discount on its large patio assortment.
May 12
Mercatus taps grocery veteran for advisor role
John Lucot, formerly president and COO of Giant Eagle, will serve as a senior strategic advisor for the e-commerce grocery platform.
May 12
Ahold generates large online sales gains for Q1
The triple-digit online sales growth for the period piggybacks off triple-digit online sales growth in Q4 2020, and Ahold gained further increases from its acquisition of Fresh Direct in the fall.
May 12
Walmart’s Waffles + Mochi tool gets kids, parents engaging with healthy foods
The interactive experience with games and recipes features characters from the Netflix show “Waffles + Mochi” and highlights the retailer’s store brands.
May 11
Target’s Good & Gather adds plant-based line
More than 30 plant-based items — including meatless dishes, dips and more — are being added to the retailer’s flagship food and beverage store brand.
May 11
First Quality steps up for organization that supplies diapers to families in need
The private brand diaper and hygiene products supplier is donating proceeds of purchases of its branded Cuties diapers to the organization and sponsoring an awareness campaign for volunteers.
May 11
Tradex meets certification goal for its sustainably sourced seafood
The global supplier of private brand frozen seafood products and the SINBAD line in America said it is 100% sourced from sustainable sources.
May 10
DS Smith invests $140M toward developing recyclable packaging built for e-commerce
The corrugated packager also will build a testing facility in the UK and make all of its packaging recyclable in the next few years.
May 10
Walmart Canada beef products showcase sustainable certification
The retailer is adding an on-pack claim to millions of its own brand Your Fresh Market beef products that show the items have been sourced sustainably and certified by the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef.
May 10
Bed Bath & Beyond rolls out Simply Essential
More than 1,200 products across the bed, bath and kitchen categories, Simply Essential is the third owned brand to launch this year and brings a value line to the retailer.
May 07
Coresight Research covers private brand growth
Analysts see store brands outpacing name brands due to pandemic growth, organic products and other trends.
May 07
Lassonde’s private label sales were up in Q1 but showed slight decline overall
A leader in private brand juices in the United States, the company overall posted a slight decline in sales for the first three months of 2021.
May 07
Q&A: Imperfect Foods Grows Private Brands
Martha Hale, Imperfect Foods chief merchandising officer, discusses with Store Brands the company’s business model and how store brands will help it be a full-service grocer.
May 06
Survey shows U.S. consumers want food brands to stand for something, inspire them
Branding agency Meyocks surveyed more than 1,500 American shoppers and 7 in 10 think food brands should advocate for something.
May 06
TreeHouse remains strong despite pandemic-driven sales dips in Q1
The private brand food and beverage leader saw a strong start to the year in its private brand business, despite net sales decreases.
May 06
Foxtrot hires former Whole Foods exclusive brand leader to run private brands
Mitch Madoff joins the upscale corner store retailer after 20 years with Whole Foods. The retailer also appointed Tae Strain of Momofuku to craft private brand offerings.
May 05
TricorBraun introduces compostable flexible package
The packaging, an upgrade of an earlier version, can be used for specialty food and snack items, pet treats, nutraceuticals and other non-coffee products.
May 05
AAK reunites with Jeffrey Fine, naming him head of customer innovation
Fine established the customer innovation and research and development unit when he first worked with the company from 2004 to 2016.
May 05
Kerry maps out taste trends from around the globe
The ingredients company has released its Taste Trends report, identifying seven broad trends and shares unique products and flavor learnings within each trend.
May 04
Fleet Farm debuts mobile app, loyalty program
The regional chain’s app makes nine store brands and thousands of products shoppable over mobile, includes the use of curbside pickup, and ties users into a brand-new loyalty program.
May 03
Lowe’s launches exclusive paint lines to celebrate 100 years in business
The Centennial Color Palette is being featured with a special product curation from fashion icon Iris Apfel, who also turns 100 years old, in the first of the company's House of Curators features online.
May 03
Amcor strengthens executive leadership team
Rigid packaging company makes two appointments, one for North American operations, and taps Rodrigo Lecot to be VP, GM of Latin America.
May 03
Albertsons spruces up Soleil for the summer
Store brand sparkling water gets four new flavors, new packaging from global visual artists and its very own Spotify playlists.
May 03
Raley’s converts 2 stores into Raley’s O-N-E concept
The healthy store format only stocks private label and branded items that are free of ingredients listed on the retailer’s “banned ingredient list.”
May 03
Walmart grows pet category, debuts premium private label pet food
The retailer has rolled out Pure Balance Pro+ dog and cat food that is vet-formulated and joins a move to grow its overall pet assortment to meet the increasing rate of pet households.
April 2021
Apr 30
Amazon net sales up 44% on the year, joined by tech advancements
The retailer reported online sales up big for Q1 but brick-and-mortar sales were down. It also announced an expansion of some tech innovations such as a Whole Foods test of shoppers paying with a palm scan.
Apr 29
Catania ushers in new version of innovative avocado oil
The company’s Marconi Avocado Oil, previously sold in an Editors’ Picks-winning bag-in-box packaging, rolls out in a smaller light-blocking bottle for private label.
Apr 29
Kemin develops digital ingredient library
The tool on its website is to help its food manufacturer customers find ingredients that meet their ideal color, freshness and safety solutions.
Apr 29
Aldi, Andrew Zimmern team to educate consumers on how to limit food waste
The retailer sponsored an Instagram Live event with the Travel Channel TV host that highlighted some exclusive Aldi products that help consumers fight food waste.
Apr 29
Equator adds account director with U.K. retailer experience
Kate Fischer joins the private brand design agency, bringing design process management experience working at ASDA and Morrisons, as well as other agencies.
Apr 29
CVS intros own brand dedicated to men's grooming products
The Goodline brand includes products for men’s beards, skincare, shaving needs and more, with a focus on wellness, as brought to life through the packaging, according to the retailer.
Apr 28
Walmart’s Hart has more for 2021
The own brand of tools that launched last year is rolling out an extension of more than 100 new products, including the addition of vacuums and cleaning products.
Apr 28
Walmart speeds up payment to diverse suppliers to provide working capital
Branded and private brand suppliers that qualify gain access to a new early payment platform starting May 3.
Apr 28
Natural Grocers bolsters vitamins, supplements program
The healthy foods retailer — rooted in vitamins and supplements — has expanded its store brand supplements line, bringing the assortment to more than 100 items.
Apr 28
Target to launch first plant stylist partnership
Retailer says online searches for plants have increased by more than 300% as consumers are looking for ways to brighten their homes.
Apr 27
Instacart highlights its heroes
A new campaign tells the stories of 59 Instacart working shoppers, also giving them free groceries for a year.
Apr 27
Sally Beauty taps Revionics to help optimize pricing
Cosmetics retailer is working with Revionics to develop an AI-powered pricing optimization platform that will deliver more effective promotions, markdown plans and pricing.
Apr 26
Digital drives Q4, full year at Albertsons
The retailer saw digital sales grow by 282% in the quarter and 258% for fiscal 2020, while it also expects own brands to continue to grow its market penetration.
Apr 26
Tractor Supply delivers strong first quarter
Same-store sales, net sales are up in the high double digits.
Apr 26
Dessert Holdings acquired by Bain Capital
Producer of private brand and branded cakes and desserts will keep leadership in place after the deal.
Apr 26
Staples expands product assortment inside Staples Connect format
An exclusive chair is part of 40 new products to hit the store, aimed at serving consumers working and learning remotely.
Apr 23
Albertsons steps further into data journey with new hire
The retailer has hired Danielle Crop to become its chief data officer. She comes from 15 years of working in data science at American Express.
Apr 23
Tops powers stores through solar farms, updates Flashfood success
The East-Coast retailer is working with Convergent Energy + Power to provide a renewable energy source at 75 stores and provided results from its Flashfood app partnership, resulting in millions of pounds of food diverted from landfills.
Apr 23
VRST gets first pro endorser
DeVonta Smith, a professional football player, will rep the Dick’s Sporting Goods clothing store brand, the first time the chain has tapped a professional athlete to be a brand partner.
Apr 23
Profile: Aldi’s Next Phase
The April issue cover story goes in-depth on the fast-growing retailer’s continued acceleration through e-commerce and exclusive brands.
Apr 22
Kroger expands TerraCycle recycling partnership to all own brands
The only retailer with a TerraCycle partnership dedicated to store brands, Kroger expanded the program that started with Simple Truth products to include all of its qualifying Our Brands products.
Apr 22
Lowe’s rolls Stainmaster carpet brand into private brand portfolio
Home retailer has acquired the 35-year-old brand and all brand-related intellectual property, trademarks and sub-brands from Invista.
Apr 21
TreeHouse Foods feels pandemic pain
A Wall Street Journal article and other recent coverage highlight challenges the supplier has faced during the pandemic.
Apr 21
Amazon’s climate pledge gets friendlier
Retailer expanded its Climate Pledge Friendly program, making more third-party certified approved products available to buy and increasing certifications. Amazon also invested in new renewable energy sources.
Apr 21
Packaging Report: Store Brands Set Sustainability Standard
In this in-depth feature from the April issue, see how retailers are using their store brand packaging to lead the way in sustainability.
Apr 21
Fuchs rolls out hemp-inspired seasonings
The Earthy Eats Collection of four seasoning blends is targeted for popcorn, desserts and beverages, as well as custom blends for retail private label production and food manufacturers.
Apr 20
Lidl has a new U.S. leader
The retailer has promoted Michal Lagunionek to be the new president and CEO, replacing Johannes Fieber, who stepped down Tuesday to spend more time with family.
Apr 19
Haven help us: Bed Bath & Beyond launches spa-inspired store brand
The retailer conducted a survey that said Americans seek a tranquil bathroom experience, inspiring the Haven line of bath products, the second of eight owned brands to launch this year.
Apr 19
Q&A: Bed Bath & Beyond is Rebuilding Through Owned Brands
On the heels of Nestwell and Haven, the home store’s CMO Joe Hartsig discusses the chain’s transformation and how it is strategically tied to a host of stylish new owned brands launching month by month this year.
Apr 19
Target taps diverse designers for its dress collection
For its exclusive Designer Dress Collection, more than 70 original designs launching this spring, the retailer tapped emerging designers Chrisopher John Rogers, Alexis and Rixo.
Apr 19
PetDine expands its production footprint, hires operations manager
Jay Sokolowski has been named senior operations manager and will oversee three facilities in Colorado, including a site opening near PetDine’s Fort Collins headquarters.
Apr 19
Red Collar Pet Foods expands facility
One of the largest private label dog and cat pet treat suppliers in North America, Red Collar Pet Foods is adding 85,000 square feet of space to its Oklahoma plant.
Apr 16
Southeastern Grocers promotes private brands through digital offer platform
The retailer has teamed with Eagle Eye Solutions and now Neptune Retail Solutions to deliver personalized digital offers that can be used to promote its store brands and learn more about its shoppers.
Apr 16
SunOpta acquires 2 brands from Hain Celestial
The brands strengthen the company’s plant-based beverage growth, of which it has a strong private label business.
Apr 15
Online grocery is here to stay: Survey shows 43% jump in March sales
The Brick Meets Click and Mercatus Grocery Shopping Survey reported online grocery sales reached $9.3 billion last month, up 43% from a year ago, with more users leaning into BOPIS.
Apr 14
Store brand dairy, meat alternatives thrive during pandemic
Ingredient company Kerry Group shares data on five private label categories that jumped during key pandemic months and how they trended in the months after.
Apr 14
Lowe’s targets pros, introduces dedicated shopping experience
The Pro Zone will feature private brand and exclusive products on an ongoing basis.
Apr 14
Hy-Vee names data head
Jason Buhrow will serve as chief data officer, in charge of the retailer’s data strategy and visualization.
Apr 13
Sally Beauty broadens hair coloring assortment
New shades under own brands and national brands expand the retailer beyond 1,200 total colors for consumers to choose from.
Apr 13
Target, Grove team up for exclusive launch
The sustainable cleaning products make their first foray into brick-and-mortar stores and includes a new spring scent developed just for Target stores.
Apr 13
PLMA: Private label sets sales records in 2020
The PLMA 2021 Private Label Yearbook and NielsenIQ data showed a 12% sales leap for store brands last year — totaling a record $158.8 billion.
Apr 12
Natural Grocers celebrates Earth Day
The organic retailer will discount eco-friendly products this month and has partnered with a nonprofit to make select public parks free from toxic pesticides.
Apr 12
Amazon intros new own brand Aplenty
The foods brand touches several categories across the Amazon Fresh store and online.
Apr 12
Amazon towers over other retailers in brand equity
A report from Kantar, using its proprietary valuation methodology, looked at how retailers measured in areas of being meaningful, salient and different to shoppers.
Apr 12
John Lewis develops expansive, affordable own brand line
The Anyday brand includes home goods, technology items and baby products, all at a price point that is 20% less than the current John Lewis store brand options.
Apr 09
Eco Lips acquires bug repellant producer
The organic lip balm supplier has acquired Simply Soothing, the maker of the Bug Soother Insect Repellent brand.
Apr 09
Trader Joe’s to launch nondairy cheeses, cooks up grilled cheese contest
The retailer teased a few plant-based cheeses to launch this summer during its latest podcast and has kicked off a social media grilled cheese contest for National Grilled Cheese Day.
Apr 09
Understanding consumers, retail shifts after COVID-19
Store Brands is hosting a webinar with thought leaders from IRI, Solutions for Retail Brands and Mold-Rite Plastics on how retailers and companies will need to adapt to a new consumer behavior as COVID-19 diminishes.
Apr 08
Lidl packaging brings awareness to water conservation
The retailer is putting a Save Water logo on packages of toothpaste, soap and more in honor of Water Conservation Month.
Apr 07
FMI finds grocery produce sales up in 2020
The Power of Produce report shows a double-digit increase in sales as survey results point to consumers looking to eat healthier at home, especially during the pandemic.
Apr 07
Albertsons bottles sustainable wines
The latest offering in its private brand wine portfolio is Kalyana, a line of three wines from California, certified and produced via a range of sustainable techniques.
Apr 07
Walmart tool helps consumers pick a paint
The Walmart Paint Finder tool is an interactive video similar to the retailer’s recent Walmart Cookshop, and it puts its private label Color Place brand front and center.
Apr 07
Whole Foods debuts responsible sourcing seal
Products that are certified through third-party organizations now get a Sourced for Good seal to assist Whole Foods shoppers looking to buy responsibly sourced items.
Apr 06
ECRM is planning a food, beverage virtual trade show
The company's 2021 Global Market: Food & Beverage event will leverage its platforms to bring retail buyers and product suppliers together for face-to-face meetings, and present educational sessions, keynotes and workshops.
Apr 06
Aldi UK removes plastic straws from own brand drink cartons
By replacing plastic straws with paper straws on its private brand drink cartons, the retailer said it will be eliminating 70 million plastic straws from circulation.
Apr 06
Survey finds BOPIS on the rise
More than half of the U.S. consumers surveyed by Hanover Research, on behalf of Package Concierge, said they will continue to buy online and pick up purchases in-store post-pandemic.
Apr 05
Private label frozen pancake maker finds new owner
De Wafelbakkers, a leader in private label frozen pancakes, waffles and French toast, has been acquired by the equity firm behind Hungry Jack and Arrowhead Mills.
Apr 05
Kemin builds on sustainable ingredient mission with latest acquisition
Company has acquired Proteus Industries, a privately owned food technology company and ingredient supplier, focusing on clean label protein applications.
Apr 05
TreeHouse appoints 2 in the c-suite
Kevin Jackson becomes chief commercial officer and Sean Lewis has been promoted to chief customer officer.
Apr 05
Q&A: Beauty and the Pandemic
Raj Prakash, CEO of Anthem, talks with Store Brands about how the sanitizing wipes company pivoted into beauty and wellness and how the pandemic has fueled business.
Apr 02
Big picture: Private brands positioned to grow share
Even though private brands slightly underperformed expectations, its strong premium positioning and steady stock are big advantages moving forward, experts told Store Brands.
Apr 02
State of the Industry 2021: Numbers Show Private Label Soaring in Key Categories
Over the past year, private label’s profile has risen, with frozen foods and nonfoods as particular bright spots. Store Brands looks at the data and talks to experts about the industry's increasing importance.
Apr 01
Aldi’s plant-based line earns Good Housekeeping Institute recognition
More than 30 Earth Grown products from Aldi earned the Good Housekeeping Institute Seal, joining more than 170 other products earning the nod over the last three years.