SB-0822

THE PULSE OF PRIVATE LABEL

JULY/AUGUST 2022

www.storebrands.com SPECIAL REPORT

SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES

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LIVING WELL Retailers, suppliers drive innovation to meet consumer demand for healthier products. Coverage begins pg. 14.

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It’s a great time to be in the retailer brands business. Consumers are back in charge, looking for new and innovative products that offer on-trend attributes, high quality and great value. Private label is winning at store checkout. Over the first four months of 2022, sales increased 7.4% according to IRI, following a record $200 billion last year.

Come to Chicago to expand your business.

To exhibit or to attend, visit www.plma.com

PLMA’s 2022 PRIVATE LABEL TRADE SHOW November 13 - 15 • Chicago Presented by the Private Label Manufacturers Association

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VOLUME 45 NO.4

35 Seafood

Consumers seeking healthy alternatives drive demand

LIVING WELL

A focus on health & wellness drives new product development across numerous categories

37 Packaging

Development of sustainable solutions continues to grow

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Editor’s Note

Store Brands (ISSN-0190-9851; USPS # 0488-370) is published monthly, except January, May, July, December by EnsembleIQ, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60631. Subscriptions: One year, $100; two years, $182. One year, Canada $118; two years, $215 One year, foreign $135; two years, $225. One year, digital $70; two year, $130.Single copies $14 US, Canada & foreign $16. Payable in advance with a bank draft drawn on a US bank in US funds.Single copies $20. Foreign, $85. Reprints, permissions and licensing, please contact Wright’s Media at ensembleiq@wrightsmedia.com or (877) 652-5295. Canada Post: Canada returns to be sent to IDS, P.O. Box 456, Niagara Falls, ON, L2E6V2. Periodicals postage rates paid at Chicago, IL and additional mailing offices. Printed in USA. POSTMASTER: send all address changes to Store Brands PO Box 3200 Northbrook, IL 60065-3200. Copyright 2020 by EnsembleIQ. All rights reserved, including the rights to reproduce in whole or in part. All letters to the editors of this magazine will be treated as having been submitted for publication. The magazine reserves the right to edit and abridge them. The publication is available in microform from University Microfilms International, 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48106. The contents of this publication can not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for claims and representations.

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An EnsembleIQ Publication

OPPORTUNITY AND INNOVATION CONTINUED CHALLENGES PROVIDE RETAILERS NEW INSPIRATION TO ELEVATE THEIR PRIVATE LABEL ASSORTMENTS Would calling the past two-plus years complicated be a euphemism for saying it’s actually been a show consisting of a particular matter that is better left not discussed?

Perhaps.

Navigating through the COVID-19 world has been fraught with what feels like a never ending road of speed bumps. But as we have seen in the past, and undoubtedly will see in the future, challenges drive opportunity and innovation.

In the world of private label, we continue to see retailers and product suppliers use the current opportunity of high prices to stimulate innovation, whether it’s through new product development or how retailers promote store brand products to consumers.

Just prior to the July 4th holiday weekend, Save A Lot rolled out a promotional strategy that featured a selection of its private label products as part of an effort to highlight money saving opportunities. It included eight barbecue staples it said would save shoppers up to 45% from similar national brand products.

“We’re inviting shoppers to try our private label products for their next barbecue. We think they’ll find they’re just as good (or better) than their national brand equivalents, but they’ll spend a lot less,” said Tim Schroder, Save A Lot’s chief sales and marketing officer.

This type of comparison shopping for consumers provides an easily digestible solution for busy shoppers that serves to raise the product assortment’s profile. Done with regularity, this would also elevate the brand in the minds of consumers and allow them to compete with national branded products. Retailers including ShopRite and Target have grown their respective store brands with consistent marketing efforts. Other retailers would be wise to take a similar approach.

For those in need of an idea, I present our friends in consumer media.

A recent Bon Appétit article tested private label jarred marinara sauce from Costco, Trader Joe’s, Target, Walmart, Safeway and Whole Foods. Each sauce was positively received and the publication noted that each was better than or as good as Ragu, the well-known name-brand marinara.

The Washington Post’s taste test of barbecue sauce saw Walmart’s Great Value brand Original Barbecue Sauce named “best tasting,” which came as a surprise to some.

“We did not see this one coming,” wrote Emily Heil, the Post’s reporter covering national food news and trends. “We would never have predicted that the house brand for the mega-chain where you can buy both a grill itself and the stuff to put on it would be where we’d find our winner.”

So retailers, you are encouraged to take a second look at your assortment of private label products and identify your winners. You’ll find opportunities to raise their profile and inspiration to innovate something new.

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8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60631 Publisher, Grocery Group John Schrei (248) 613-8672; jschrei@ensembleiq.com

EDITORIAL Associate Publisher/Executive Editor Greg Sleter (631) 988-8747, gsleter@ensembleiq.com Associate Editor Zachary Russell (313) 622-1565, zrussell@ensembleiq.com

ADVERTISING & SALES National Sales Manager Natalie Filtser (917) 690-3245, nfiltser@ensembleiq.com

PROJECT MANAGEMENT/PRODUCTION/ART Creative Director Colette Magliaro cmagliaro@ensembleiq.com Designer Jyoti Patiyar jpatiyar@ensembleiq.com Advertising/Production Manager Pat Wisser (973) 607-1322, pwisser@ensembleiq.com

LIST RENTAL MeritDirect Marie Briganti (914) 309-3378, mbriganti@meritdirect.com

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES/ SINGLE-COPY PURCHASES contact@storebrands.com TOLL-FREE: 1-877-687-7321 FAX: 1-888-520-3608

REPRINTS, PERMISSIONS AND LICENSING Please contact Wright’s Media at ensembleiq@wrightsmedia.com or (877)652-5295

CORPORATE OFFICERS Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Litterick Chief Financial Officer Jane Volland Chief Innovation Officer & Managing Director of Path to Purchase Institute Tanner Van Dusen Chief Human Resources Officer Ann Jadown EVP of Operations Derek Esty Senior Vice President, Content Joe Territo

The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for product claims and representations.

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SUPPLY CHAIN REPORT

KEEP ON TRUCKIN’ RETAILERS, PRODUCT SUPPLIERS SEEKS SOLUTIONS TO SOLVE SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES

T

By Greg Sleter

he current state of the nation’s supply chain isn’t quite Dante’s nine circles of hell, but those on the front lines say that when a solution to a problem is developed, it can often be stalled by other issues that relate to the movement of goods across the continent.

For example, many retailers and product suppliers today are working to shorten the distance between the nation’s larger ports and distribution centers and are willing to invest in constructing new warehouses. A commendable idea for sure.

The problem? Limited availability of construction materials along with a shortage of labor to build the new

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structure. Frustrating, indeed.

“We have put up a lot of warehouses for companies that are looking to offset the supply chain challenges they are facing,” said Norm Brouillette, a Senior Vice President with Ryder Supply Chain Solutions. “These new facilities are being built by those looking to enhance just-in-time delivery, or bring products to market faster.”

The challenge?

“Availability with the domestic supply of building materials, roofing and steel,” Brouillette added. “It used to take six to nine months to construct a new warehouse. Now that timeline may be as long as 12 months.”

From a geographic standpoint, companies are putting

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MORE THAN A PALLET. This looks like a simple plastic pallet. But it’s so much more than that — it’s a critical component of a more sustainable and optimized supply chain.

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SUPPLY CHAIN REPORT

more focus on the East Coast to offset the long-standing congestion that impacts West Coast ports, most notably in Southern California. Ports in New Jersey and Savannah, Ga., are seeing greater activity and as a result the demand for new warehouses in the Ohio Valley and Pennsylvania are in greater demand.

“Retailers and suppliers are looking for locations that put their products closer to the end consumer,” Brouillette said. “This shortens the delivery window.”

If there is a silver lining to the supply chain challenges facing all segments, it is the work many are doing to develop solutions. Being nimble may be the best way to handle issues short term, but the ideas are out there and new methods may serve to streamline the movement of goods in years to come when things, hopefully, return to a level of normalcy.

“There’s definitely no shortage of ideas,” said Jonathan Parks, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain at iGPS Logistics. “It’s important to take inventory of your successes related to supply chain and look at the opportunities to improve how you move products.”

IMPROVED COMMUNICATION A number of supply chain experts who spoke with Store Brands said the need to share information is perhaps as great as any moment in recent years. While there is an understanding that many companies are reluctant to pull back the curtain on their operations, doing so may lead to additional solutions that offer quicker delivery and possibly some cost savings.

As Parks noted, one pet foods company will not want to share information with a direct competitor, but sharing information with a shipping partner may allow for development of new ideas related to the movement of products.

“Given the nature of what we’re all

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facing right now, it makes sense to share some data. This could lead to solutions that could benefit everyone,” he added.

Brouillette said he encourages his customers to be as transparent as possible, which provides him the opportunity to identify challenges and develop answers pertaining to the particular problem being addressed.

Cheryl Henry, Vice President of National Accounts with CHEP USA, said the challenges over the past two-plus years have forced all parties involved in supply chain to constantly evolve and seek out more effective and productive ways of doing business.

“Manufacturers got creative in how they sourced and produced products, like partnering with new suppliers or creating new more self-contained production sites that limit disruptions or rationalized product SKUs,” she said.

“Retailers delivered items in ways that were new for them, such as fast-tracking consumer options buy online, pick-up in store or curbside pickup.”

NEW TECHNOLOGIES As is commonplace today, technology is playing a major role in curing what ails the nation’s supply chain. Experts note that in recent years, a growing number of companies have become more technologically savvy in how they track the movement of

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of respondents reported investing in new technology as a way of overcoming supply chain challenges goods. This has been a major asset when it comes to having proper staffing at times when the highest volume of products are moving through warehouses and distribution centers.

In fact, a recent survey of supply chain executives by Carl Marks Advisors found that 39% of respondents reported investing in new technology as a way of overcoming supply

chain challenges. Availability of labor continues to be a major issue for a number of industries, including supply chain, and robotic technology combined with automation is providing not only a solution for now, but also a possible long-term answer that ultimately could offer cost savings.

“We’re seeing a growing use of robotic technology such as forklifts, which diminishes the need for manual labor,” Brouillette said. “The big benefit here is that the robots don’t get sick and don’t take days off.”

New technologies are also finding their way into the hands of those responsible for product delivery from retail stores or micro fulfillment centers (MFC) to the consumer. The continued growing demand from shoppers for same-day or nextday delivery is driving the need for companies to be open to new solutions that streamline this process.

Dana Krug, Senior Vice President for Phononic, noted his company has responded to this need with the development of the actively-cooled freezer and refrigerator tote, a product aimed at same day delivery or store pickup of groceries. The tote features solid state cooling technology that cools without the use of refrigerants by using the thermodynamic power of phonons, which are particles working at a subatomic scale.

“We wanted to develop a product that allows those working in MFCs or in stores the ability to minimize the amount of times employees touch products,” said Krug.

“Eliminating a few minutes per order can save a great deal of time each day and make the process of delivering products to consumers more efficient.”

As an example, the totes can be utilized as part of a retailer’s buy online pickup in-store (BOPIS) solution for shoppers. The challenge for store personnel gathering items for a grocery order is to gather and house various products that are shelf stable or need refrigeration.

The tote stores frozen and refrigerated foods and can be placed on the shelf next to other products. This keeps a customer’s order together in one spot and reduces the time needed to bring the order to the shopper when they arrive.

“We’ve all seen store personnel running from the shelf to a large refrigerated unit to get the products needing cold storage,” Krug said. “Our totes eliminate the need to do that.”

Finding ways to shed a few pounds when loading a truck also helps with the flow of products. The plastic pallets offered by iGPS are lighter in weight than their wood competitors, which provides shippers an opportunity to ship a larger quantity of goods.

“Our pallets can save 10-15 pounds per pallet, which could be as much as 400 pounds on one truck load,” Parks said. “This allows for more items to be placed on a truck.”

CHEP’s Henry noted that her company has continued to invest in automation and improving internal processes, an effort that started prior to the pandemic.

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SUPPLY CHAIN REPORT A big part of (supply chain) is making sure to have all the right stakeholders in one room, which is a role the federal government can play.

There needs to be an honest discussion about what we need to do to make our supply chain more resilient.

— Jonathan Gold, National Retail Federation

“Part of this involves using AI technology to improve our response time to marketplace shifts and deploy the right resources and assets to serve our customers’ most immediate needs,” she said. “Our growing work with pallet digitization has enabled us to better track and understand the journeys of our assets and our customers’ assets. This helps us all to optimize supply chain controls and drive greater efficiencies.”

THE FUTURE While many within the world of supply chain have long understood its fragility, the COVID-19 pandemic further raised awareness of how difficult it is to move goods from ports to warehouses, then to retailers and ultimately to the homes of consumers. A louder chorus of voices are now asking what needs to be done to help offset the next major issues that impacts that movement of products from coast to coast.

“A big part of this is making sure to have all the right stakeholders in one room, which is a role the federal government can play,” said Jonathan Gold, Vice President of Supply Chain and Customs Policy for the National Retail Federation.

“There needs to be an honest discussion about what we need to do to make our supply chain more resilient.”

One issue raised by Gold is the current shortage of truck drivers. According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), trucks move about 72.5% of the nation’s freight by weight. In 2020, there were 3.36 million truck drivers employed, down 6.8% from 2019.

“It’s vital for the trucking industry to attract and retain talent,” he said.

Recent legislation could help increase the number of employed truck drivers.

As part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was required to establish the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program (SDAP), which would allow drivers between the ages of 18-20 with an intrastate commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate interstate commerce under very specific conditions. Prior, those under the age of 21 with a CDL were prohibited from driving state to state. iGPS’s Parks reiterated his thoughts about information sharing to help address

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the many issues that are facing the trucking industry.

“Take a look at how many empty miles are being driven,” he said.

“The more information we have when making decisions about the movement of goods, we may be able to alleviate the constant need for drivers and chassis.”

Henry feels improvements to the nation’s supply chain will be done through a collaborative effort. “It will be crucial to come together as supply chain professionals to ensure we leverage our learnings and implement more efficient, sustainable processes to mitigate sudden disruptions,” she said.

And Ryder’s Brouillette echoed Parks, touting the need for greater transparency.

“I say this to customers all the time,” he said. “The more transparent they are with me, the better we are able to develop solutions to their problems and maybe be able to drive costs down. If they hold their information close to the vest, we’re unable to know exactly what their issues are. It’s important to remember that logistics is a world that’s ever evolving.”

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LIVING WELL

By Greg Sleter & Zachary Russell

Retailers, suppliers drive innovation to meet consumer demand for healthier products After more than two years of living through a global pandemic, a larger number of consumers today are focused on their health and wellness. From the food they eat, to the beverages they drink and the products they use in their daily personal care regimens, consumers are on the hunt for products that will play a major role in helping them live a healthy life.

This growing demand, which is not expected to wane anytime soon, has been met by retailers and private label product suppliers across numerous categories.

Where once wellness was seen as a segment for specialty retailers, today the shelves and webpages of resellers ranging from dollar stores to general merchandise chains and grocery stores are stocked with products designed with this trend in mind.

Store Brands’ Editors’ Picks 2022 includes a broad range of items that are positioned at consumers seeking healthy alternatives. In consumables, retailers and suppliers have developed products that are flavorful and made from ingredients that help individuals live a healthier life.

Additionally, new products in wellness and personal care show innovation that allow consumers to care for their bodies inside and out. And let’s not forget about our pets. Product development in this category follows trends from the world of human food and offers affordable products made from natural ingredients.

Here are the Store Brands’ Editors’ Picks for this year:

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Specialty Beverages GOLD

SunPop Wines, Target Supplier: The Wine Group Designed to appeal to Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z, the frozen cocktail pops are available only in the summer and were extended with the launch of SunPop Bubbly Brut.

SILVER

Culinaria Artisanal Clementine Italian Soda, Schnucks Supplier: Le Mouts de POM Hand-crafted with all natural ingredients, the flavors in the four SKU program are not offered by national brands.

BRONZE

Market Pantry Coconut Lime Liquid Water Enhancer, Target Supplier: DreamPak Offered in Coconut Lime, the 2022 introduction is an innovative flavor for Target’s Market Pantry as well as the private label liquid water enhancer category as a whole.

Coffee & Tea GOLD

Wide Awake Medium Roast Cold Brew Coffee, Topco Wide Awake has added Medium Roast Cold Brew Coffee to its cold coffee line-up and was the brand’s first foray into the refrigerated space.

SILVER

Culinaria Hibiscus Lime Craft Tea, Schnucks Markets Supplier: Excel Bottling The small-batch craft tea is sold in packs of four on shelves and individual bottles in the cooler, and offers a unique and refreshing flavor.

BRONZE

Nice! Premium K-Cup Donut Shop Blend 32-ct., Walgreens Supplier: Trillian Food & Nut Nice! Premium K-Cup Donut Shop has served to elevate the category by bringing a new and unique flavor to the in-store set.

www.storebrands.com

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Healthy Beverages GOLD

Casey’s Sunshine Day Cold Pressed Juice, Casey’s Casey’s Sunshine Day Cold Pressed Juice is a mix of pineapple, banana, apple, pear, mango, orange carrot, passion fruit and coconut. The cold pressed juices are 100% fruit and vegetable juice, not from concentrate and have no sugar or preservatives added.

SILVER

Simple Truth Organic Zero Sugar Lemon Ginger Kombucha, Kroger Supplier: Our Brands Delivering probiotics with zero sugar, the product launch supports Kroger’s mission to introduce new products that excite and entice consumers, while enhancing its reputation as a food authority.

Water

BRONZE

GOLD

Up Aluminum 1L Water, Casey’s Supplier: Path Water Casey’s Up Water Aluminum contains ultra-purified water in a 1L aluminum bottle that is reusable/refillable and 100% recyclable, meeting demand from consumers seeking a more sustainable product.

Simple Truth Caramel Oatmilk Non-Dairy Creamer, Kroger Supplier: Our Brands With consumers looking for alternatives to traditional dairy products, this flavored creamer is plant-based, vegan and gluten-free.

SILVER

Raley’s Purely Made Sparkling Aloe Beverages, Raley’s Supplier: Henan International These carbonated water beverages are only 20 calories and contain 20% aloe juice with no artificial preservatives, no added sugar and no artificial colors or flavors.

BRONZE

Signature Select Ice Sparkling Water Kiwi Strawberry, Albertsons The Signature Select Ice is a Kiwi Strawberry flavored thirst quencher, made with sparkling water and natural flavors.

It contains no sugar, and features vitamins including the antioxidant vitamin A.

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Congratulations on 7 Winning Categories!

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Cheese GOLD

Lucerne Ghost Pepper Slices, Albertsons Companies Supplier: Albertsons Companies Consumers are always looking for new ways to give food extra heat. With the Ghost Pepper Slices from Albertsons Companies’ Lucerne private dairy brand, adventurous shoppers can add one of the hottest flavor profiles to their everyday foods.

Candy and Chocolate GOLD

Girl Scout Thin Mint Almonds and Pretzels (tie), Costco Supplier: Devon’s Chocolates Wholesale giant Costco offers two exclusive sweets products that offer the nostalgic flavor of the classic Thin Mints Girl Scout Cookies. Born out of the pandemic as door-to-door cookie sales for the group struggled, each bag/jar of almonds or pretzels provides a donation to Girl Scouts of the USA.

SILVER

Tops Double Coated Chocolate Truffles with Pretzel/Peanut Pieces, Tops Supplier: CHOCMOD USA INC. This new item comes in two varieties, offering shoppers a salty and savory sweet snack. The decadent truffles elevate Tops’ Own Brand candy assortment while offering a worthy competitor to better known chocolate truffles on the market.

SILVER

Private Selection Chef’s Blend Shredded Cheese, Kroger Supplier: Our Brands This thick-cut blend of sharp cheddar, gouda and asiago

Condiments GOLD

Best Choice Superior Selections Chicken Sandwich Sauce, Associated Wholesale Grocers Supplier: Associated Wholesale Grocers Associated Wholesale Grocers’ private label chicken sandwich sauce gives shoppers the ability to cook chicken sandwiches at home topped with the signature tangy sauce. The retailer said distribution of the sauce doubled in its first three months.

BRONZE

Aces Sea Salt Caramels, Save A Lot Supplier: Palmer Candy Co. At just 99 cents per bag, Save A Lot’s private label candy assortment was given a boost by the Sea Salt Caramels candy, offering a popular treat at an affordable price. The newest addition to the Aces private brand has been a hit with shoppers.

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SILVER

Private Selection Creole Buttermilk Sauce, Kroger Supplier: Our Brands With this product, Kroger offers a flavor profile that is rarely found on grocery shelves. The unique cajun sauce is smooth, tangy and ideal for both dipping and topping.

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cheeses brings unique flavors to the shredded cheese category and allows Kroger shoppers to utilize more highend cheeses in everyday cooking. At $3.20 per bag, the product brings restaurant-quality flavor to the kitchen.

BRONZE

Food Club Sharp White Cheddar Cheese, Topco Member Stores Supplier: Topco Associates, LLC Topco Associates’ Food Club Sharp White Cheddar Cheese offers a bold cheese flavor that is growing in popularity. Like the Gold and Silver winners, this product gives consumers a cheese slice that is not typically found in private label assortments.

Cookies, Cakes & Sweet Snacks GOLD

Crav’ Flavor Limited-Time Double Stuffed Sandwich Crème Cookies, Topco Member Stores Supplier: Topco Associates, LLC For the summer, the private brand offered the cookies in a Lemonade flavor with a lemon crème. In the fall, a S’mores flavor is available, highlighted by a marshmallow crème between one chocolate and one graham cracker flavored cookie.

SILVER

Private Selection Cinnamon Rolls, Kroger Supplier: Our Brands The recently introduced four-pack of cinnamon rolls from Private Selection gives customers an indulgent, sweet cake option in the bakery aisle. Made with real butter, this private label item is an ideal sweet treat to go alongside breakfast, or for dessert.

BRONZE

Prestige Sweet Onion Bacon Vinaigrette, Southeastern Grocers Supplier: Schlotterbeck & Foss LLC Made with hardwood smoked bacon, dijon mustard, spices and onions, the dressing from the retailer’s Prestige brand offers a sweet and smokey combination ideal for salads.

BRONZE

Crav’n Flavor Mini Muffins, Topco Member Stores Supplier: Topco Associates, LLC Each packet of four muffins makes for a quick and easy snack for on-the-go. The muffins come in party cake, chocolate chip, and blueberry flavors, offering a tasty own brand solution for a category that is typically dominated by national brands.

www.storebrands.com

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Frozen Snacks, Appetizers and Pizzas GOLD

Schnucks BBQ Chicken and Bacon St. Louis Style Pizza, Schnucks Markets Supplier: Andoro & Sons Pizza This private label item puts a local spin on frozen pizza, with the final product offering shoppers a sweet, savory and hearty meat pizza. The product features Schnucks’ private label “Braggin’ Rights” BBQ sauce, giving customers a familiar taste in a new form, paired with white meat chicken, bacon and a blend of smoked provolone, mozzarella and romano cheeses.

SILVER

Mantia’s Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza, Save A Lot Supplier: Richelieu The Mantia’s brand of frozen pizza has been successful for Save A Lot, and the addition of the Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza has only improved the retailer’s private label presence.

The cheese-filled crust on this pepperoni pizza, along with other new Mantia’s items, has helped drive 250% sales growth for all frozen pizzas compared to 2021.

BRONZE

Crav’n Flavor Twice Baked Potatoes, Topco Member Stores Supplier: Topco Associates Coming in two flavors, Four Cheese and Bacon Cheddar, the Twice Baked Potatoes from Topco Associates’ Crav’n Flavor brand give member stores a unique private label offering.

This frozen item contains two potatoes and is ideal for a side dish or meal solution.

Ice Cream and Frozen Desserts GOLD

Culinaria Multi-Layer Gelato Cheesecake Fudge Crumble, Schnucks Markets Supplier: Eat Better Made with no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, the product from the Culinaria private brand packs cheesecake flavored gelato, fudge sauce and white cookie grains into a transparent pint, ensuring a sample of each flavor.

SILVER

Sundae Shoppe Gelato Ice Cream, Aldi Supplier: G.S. Gelato This premium gelato from Aldi’s Sundae Shoppe ice cream brand comes in caramel cookie crunch, triple chocolate, and has rotating flavors of biscotti and mixed berry.

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BRONZE

Prestige Two Apple Berry Blossoms Crafted Desserts, Prestige Two Butter Toffee Sticky Cakes Crafted Desserts (tie), Southeastern Grocers Supplier: Chudleighs In a tie for the Bronze award, Southeastern Grocers introduced two frozen desserts products this year. The Apple Berry Blossoms feature Northern Spy apples and wild blueberries, blackberries and raspberries wrapped in flaky pastry, perfect for fruit lovers. The Two Butter Toffee Sticky Cakes offer moist brown sugar cakes topped with chopped dates and covered in a rich butter toffee sauce.

www.storebrands.com

8/2/22 8:21 PM

Meal Solutions GOLD

Best Choice Superior Selections Orange Chicken, Associated Wholesale Grocers Supplier: Associated Wholesale Grocers This frozen food meal solution found at Associated Wholesale Grocers brings one of the most popular Chinese restaurant items to the freezer aisle. The combination of white meat chicken breast, rice, broccoli, peppers and a sweet orange sauce gives shoppers an international flavor to spice up dinner with.

SILVER

BRONZE

Fusia Pot Stickers, Aldi Supplier: Fortune Avenue Foods, Inc. Another private label Asian meal solution, these Aldiexclusive pot stickers come in chicken and pork, and can be the perfect side dish for a meal, or the main course itself.

Meat, Seafood and Poultry GOLD

Southeastern Grocers Naturally Better Green Onion Chicken Sausage, Southeastern Grocers Naturally Better Cajun Chicken Sausage (Tie), Southeastern Grocers Supplier: Morrison Meats Two new items from one of Southeastern Grocers’ private brands are adding unique flavors to the meat category that can take summer grilling up a notch. The Naturally Better cajun and green onion chicken sausages offer flavorful spins on chicken sausages for those who may be looking to eat less red meat.

Crav’n Flavor Breakfast Sandwiches, Topco Member Stores Supplier: Topco Associates At only $2.99, Crav’n Flavor Breakfast Sandwiches come in bacon, egg and cheese croissant and sausage, egg and cheese biscuit varieties, offering shoppers a proteinpacked breakfast option.

SILVER

Simple Truth Organic 100% Grass-Fed Beef Homestyle Meatballs, Kroger; Hy-Vee True Grass-Fed Beef, Hy-Vee (Tie) Kroger’s meatballs come frozen but are flame broiled, and made with beef raised without antibiotics or added hormones. Hy-Vee’s True Grass-Fed Beef is 100% Angus Beef and is also made with no antibiotics or hormones. The raw beef product is sourced from locally raised cattle that comes from family farms.

BRONZE

Fish Market Crusted Tilapia, Hy-Vee Supplier: Orca Bay Foods The parmesan crusted tilapia from Hy-Vee’s Fish Market brand has become popular with shoppers for its versatility, offering consumers a tilapia filet that can match a variety of side dishes. The item offers a healthy alternative to other meats, is responsibly sourced, and comes in recycled packaging.

www.storebrands.com

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Fruits and Vegetables GOLD

Signature Select Riced Broccoli, Cauliflower & Carrots, Albertsons Companies Supplier: Albertsons Companies This frozen veggie blend from one of Albertsons Companies’ private brands can be enjoyed in a recipe or on its own. The low-carb meal is a great vegetarian option, and can be an ideal substitute for rice in a meal. The vegetable blend is bagged, making for a convenient addition to any meal.

Oil and Vinegar

SILVER

GOLD

Southeastern Grocers Organic MCT (Medium-Chain Triglycerides) Oil, Southeastern Grocers Supplier: Log House This new oil from SE Grocers is a dietary product aimed at meeting customers’ specific dietary needs. MCTs are a fat source for people who cannot tolerate other types of fats, and a common supplement for those on ketogenic diets.

SILVER

Prestige Organic Chili Flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Southeastern Grocers Supplier: Fine Italian Food With more consumers looking for spices and flavors in everyday products, this product gives shoppers a spicy olive oil they can cook with, put in sauces, and more. The versatility of the chili flavored extra virgin olive oil has been a hit with customers.

BRONZE

Prestige Organic Basil Flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Southeastern Grocers Supplier: Fine Italian Food Perfect for adding flavor to dishes such as Italian food, the basil flavored extra virgin olive oil makes cooking easier, adding basil flavor without having to purchase the fresh herb.

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Simple Truth Organic Tomato Medley, Kroger Supplier: Our Brands Presented in a small, recyclable paper box the Organic Snacking Tomato Medley from Simple Truth offers Kroger shoppers snacking tomatoes in sustainable packaging. This product is a new way to sell a classic produce item.

BRONZE

Private Selection Wild Twist Apples, Kroger Supplier: Our Brands Sold in 2 pound bags, the wild twist apples give shoppers a new fruit to try at the grocery store. The apples, a combination of Honeycrisp and Cripps Pink Apples, are sweet, yet tart, and crunchy, adding a unique, elevated item to Kroger’s assortment of fruits and vegetables.

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8/2/22 8:23 PM

Rice, Pastas and Grains

Supercharging

GOLD

Wild Harvest Plant-Based Gluten-Free Red Lentil Penne, Dierbergs Markets Supplier: UNFI Released at the start of 2022, the plant-based pasta from UNFI’s Wild Harvest private brand offers health-conscious shoppers a high quality item made from only red lentils as opposed to wheat. The non-GMO, gluten-free product is a great source of protein for those looking to cut carbs or on a vegan or vegetarian diet.

SILVER

Signature Reserve Ravioli with Porcini Mushroom and Truffle, Albertsons Companies Supplier: Bertagni This authentic private label ravioli item from Albertsons Companies is a product of Italy, and elevates the retailer’s offerings in the pasta section.

The ravioli with porcini mushroom and truffle is the first private label entry into the fresh pasta category, and is made with ricotta and grated cheeses, summer truffle, sauteed mushrooms and dried porcini mushroom.

YOUR PRIVALE LABEL PROGRAM

100% Virtual

A Series of Niche Learning to Help You Grow Your Private Label Brand!

The 2022 Lineup of Topics Has been Announced!

SAVE THE BELOW DATES! S EPT 28 : Wellness

DEC 1 4:

Store Brands Industry Summit

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Nonfood Innovations Consumer Trends Sustainability

BRONZE

SE Grocers Naturally Better Organic Tri-Color Quinoa, Southeastern Grocers Supplier: Trinidad Benham Corporation This quinoa product gives customers a healthy grain option at a great value. The organic product is a good source of iron and fiber, and can be substituted for rice for something new in home-cooked meals.

Learn more at StoreBrandsIndustryForums.com Interested in speaking or sponsoring?

Natalie Filtser National Sales Manager 917-690-3245 nfiltser@ensembleiq.com

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Plant-Based and Dairy-Free GOLD

Simple Truth Hatch Queso Cashew Dip & Spread, Kroger Supplier: Our Brands The Simple Truth hatch queso cashew dip & spread is a plantbased private label product that is perfect for vegans and lactose intolerant shoppers.

The non-dairy spread is derived from nuts instead of cheese and offers a spicy queso dip and spread that can pair with crackers, veggies and more.

SILVER

Simple Truth Almond Milk Chocolate Pudding, Kroger Supplier: Our Brands This sweet private label snack product is made from almond milk, making it an accessible product for all customers without compromising on taste. The Simple Truth almond milk chocolate pudding comes in traditional packs of four, and is ideal for a plant-based snack or dessert. This product is non-GMO and gluten-free as well.

Salty Snacks GOLD

Vegan White Cheddar Pea Protein Chip, BBQ Pea Protein Chip (tie), national retailer Supplier: Snack Innovations These two plant-based snack items made by Snack Innovations both earn the top spot in the salty snacks category. Both debuted under a national retailer’s private label late last year, and the white cheddar and barbecue flavors show that plant-based items aren’t limited to the meat or frozen aisle, with pea protein becoming a leading alternative protein.

SILVER

New Orleans Kettle Chips, Casey’s Supplier: Shearer’s New Orleans kettle chips found at the convenience chain Casey’s are adding a major boost of flavor to the private label chip category. Available in 2.25 ounce and 5.5 ounce bags, these chips are a sweet, tangy and spicy combination of salt and vinegar and BBQ flavors.

BRONZE

Open Nature Plant-Based Cheese, Albertsons Companies Supplier: Albertsons Companies The Open Nature line of non-dairy cheeses is Albertsons’ first entry into plant-based cheeses, and so far, sales are outperforming expectations. Coming in slices and shreds, the products melt just like regular cheese. The retailer said that a plant-based spreading cheese is debuting under Open Nature later this year.

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BRONZE

Schnucks Cheesy Garlic Bread Wavy Chips, Schnucks Markets Supplier: Super-Pufft Snack Co. Priced at only $1 per bag, these limited-edition chips from the Schnucks private brand bring a very unique flavor combination to the snack aisle. The Cheesy Garlic Bread Wavy Chips are an imaginative spin on the summertime cookout staple item.

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Sauces and Salsas GOLD

Full Circle Market Italian Style Plant-Based Pasta Sauce, Topco Member Stores Supplier: Topco Associates This private label pasta sauce comes in two varieties, Sausage Style and Bolognese Style. These vegan sauces have no sugar added and are proof that the plantbased category continues to grow, with these sauces from Topco Associates making an impact on the shelves.

Spices and Seasonings

SILVER

Wild Harvest Plant-Based Italian Sausage Style Pasta Sauce, Skogen’s Festival Foods Supplier: UNFI Another plant-based pasta sauce comes from UNFI’s Wild Harvest brand. This vegan sauce with meat-less sausage derived from pea protein offers a better-for-you sauce that doesn’t skimp on taste. Shoppers at UNFI-supplied stores have access to this product that expands the reach of plant-based foods.

BRONZE

Signature Reserve Pasta Sauce Mascarpone Vodka, Signature Reserve Pasta Sauce Porcini Truffle Arrabbiata (tie), Albertsons Companies Supplier: Albertsons Companies In a tie comes two sauces from Albertsons Companies’ premium brand Signature Reserve. The mascarpone vodka and porcini truffle arrabbiata sauce are each made with restaurant-quality ingredients for a gourmet taste that will leave shoppers wanting more.

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GOLD

Best Choice Garlic Parmesan Wing Seasoning, Associated Wholesale Grocers Supplier: Associated Wholesale Grocers Associated Wholesale Grocers brings the wing restaurant to its grocery stores with this private brand seasoning blend. The seasoning allows for customers to recreate the highly popular wing flavor on their chicken dishes at homes, as the seasoning isn’t limited to wing use.

SILVER

Sur La Table Seasoning Blend, Sur La Table Supplier: The Spice Lab The private label collection of seasoning blends, gourmet salts and peppercorns is new to the kitchenware retailer. Sur La Table’s spice offerings come in upscale packaging that expand the retailer’s private label assortment.

BRONZE

SE Grocers Nashville Hot Chicken Seasoning, Southeastern Grocers Supplier: The Spice Lab This SE Grocers seasoning blend is worthy of praise. This private label item brings the restaurant flavor of Nashville hot chicken to the buyer’s home. Able to be used on baked, fried and grilled chicken, this blend from SE Grocers adds to the retailer’s variety of spices.

www.storebrands.com

8/2/22 8:27 PM

Baby Products GOLD

this product is a great alternative to the national brand and to the basic baby powder scent. The soothing scent of lavender is gentle and designed for use with sensitive baby skin.

Tippy Toes Hypoallergenic Infant Formula, Topco Tippy Toes Hypoallergenic Infant Formula is clinically proven for babies with an acute cow’s milk allergy and includes probiotics to help support baby’s digestive health, DHA for brain support and is free from GMO and artificial growth hormones.

BRONZE

SILVER

Best Choice Lavender Baby Powder, Associated Wholesale Grocers With quality ingredients such as aloe and vitamin E,

w

d w

Comforts Pear Strawberry & Cherry Baby Food Pure, Kroger Supplier: Our Brands This flavor blend introduces cherry, which is a first for Kroger’s flavored baby food pouches.

It is made for stage two babies with real fruit and no artificial colors; non-GMO, gluten free, and non-BPA packaging.

g

v

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Exclusively at

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Health & Beauty GOLD

Walgreens Air Compression Head Massager, Walgreens Designed to utilize air pockets that inflate and deflate creating a soothing, low impact, rolling massage to promote blood flow while relieving tension, muscle aches and pains.

SILVER

Nature’s Beauty Elderberry Eucalyptus Stress Relief Body Scrub; Walgreens, Amazon, Walmart Supplier: Garcoa Laboratories, Inc. The Stress Relief Body Scrub uses sugar to naturally refine and buff away dry, dead skin, while shea butter combines with avocado and sweet almond oil to help leave skin nourished and moisturized.

BRONZE

Shavely’s Beard & Face Wash, Face Lotion + Post Shave, Dollar General Supplier: Maxim The set offers refreshing scents as well as a fragrancefree charcoal offering in on-trend packaging, bringing affordable, quality private label body care for men.

Home GOLD

Complete Home Reusable K-Cup/CoffeeFilter, Walgreens Supplier: ADJ, INC. (Ningbo), Launched to expand Walgreens’ offering for eco-friendly/ sustainable kitchen options- in line with current trends.

The Complete Home Reusable K-Cup elevated the category by bringing newness to the set.

SILVER

Walgreens Wet Mop Cloth 12S, Walgreens The item was launched to further expand Walgreens’ growing cleaning category and offer shoppers a value floor care solution.

BRONZE

Modern Expressions Monogram Tumbler A, Walgreens Supplier: CR Gibson Pacific The updated gifting monogram tumbler silhouette was designed to compete with a national brand trending gifting item year-over-year.

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Housewares GOLD

Good & Smart Fiber Plates (48 ct.), Dollar General Supplier: Republic Plastics These eco-friendly, extra strong premium dinner plates are made from compostable sugarcane and bamboo, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to Styrofoam or paper plates.

SILVER

Cutting Boards Supplier: Eli Home Made in the U.S., the reversible design is nonporous and will not absorb odors or harbor bacteria. Knife-friendly, it resists deep cut marks while protecting knives.

BRONZE

Simply Done Reclosable Freezer and Storage Bags Multipack, Topco With 38 quart freezer bags, 90 sandwich bags, 48 quart

storage bags and 100 snack bags, the multipack combines the right amount of everyday essentials together in a four box own brand variety pack.

AWARD WINNERS PACKED FULL OF delicious FLAVOR

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Medical GOLD

Walgreens Wound Closure Laceration Kit, Walgreens Supplier: Kitotech Medical The Walgreens Wound Closure Laceration Kit is an all-in-one solution that will securely close a wound up to 1 inch and will stay in place for up to 10 days.

SILVER

Simethicone Zero Hardness Soft Chew Tablets, CVS Supplier: USpharma, Ltd. The chewable tablet technology is non-gritty, non-chalky and non-friable. It is capable of very high drug loading in order to produce combination active ingredient products that are otherwise only available in messy oral liquids.

The Spice Lab is proud to partner with Sur la Table to create this awardwinning private label product line The Spice Lab helped Sur la Table elevate their store-branded seasoning line using upscale packaging and utilizing The Spice Lab’s most popular proprietary spice blends.

Sales: 954-275-4478 ext. 108 sales@thespicelab.com

BRONZE

Diphenhydramine Chewable Bars, CVS Supplier: USpharma, Ltd. A first-ever pharmaceutical product with gummy-texture, USpharma overcame considerable technical obstacles in developing and validating the first-ever pharmaceutical gummy product.

This collaboration resulted in a fresh, new seasoning line without extensive product development and increased online and instore sales in the category.

Packaging designs for store brands, with low minimums and custom blending are The Spice Lab’s specialty.

See Us at PLMA Expo Chicago Nov 13-15

www.storebrands.com

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Pet Products GOLD

Wild Harvest Limited Ingredient Diet Dry Dog Food - Ocean Whitefish & Brown Rice Recipe, Cub Foods Made with the brand’s “free from” philosophy in mind, the product contains no artificial flavors or colors and contains real, high quality ocean whitefish and wholesome grains to help support digestion.

SILVER

Heartland Farms Baked Biscuit Dog Treats, Dollar General The new dog treats bring a small indulgence for your pet at a price that is attainable with flavors that are unique and give your pet something new to try.

All-Natural.

Now All Award-Winning.

BRONZE

Heartland Farms Chicken Lickable Stew, Dollar General Cats love to lick – and this treat gives them something nourishing to do so with. The product is for the customer who wants to enhance their cat’s day and/or meal.

a ard g tas Exclusively at

CRUSTED TILAPIA

GRASS FED ANGUS BEEF

2022 StoreBrands Editors’ Picks for Best New Products

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Supplements GOLD

Walgreens Free & Pure Mental Endurance, Walgreens Supplier: New Generation Wellness An addition to the Walgreens Free & Pure Vitamins and Supplements, the mental endurance formulation contains ginkgo biloba, bacopa monnieri, coleus forskohlii, green tea, panax ginseng, and rosemary extracts.

SILVER

TopCare Vanilla Plant Protein Powder Blend, Topco The TopCare Vanilla Plant Protein Powder Blend is a plantderived protein powder, made from spinach, broccoli and kale greens, delivers flavorful vanilla taste, gluten free probiotics and 20 grams of plant-based protein per serving.

BRONZE

Simple Truth Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies, Kroger Supplier: Our Brands Delivered in a convenient gummy form, the product supports Kroger’s mission to introduce new products that excite and entice consumers.

Jim Dimataris Vice President, Processor Partnerships California Milk Advisory Board (209)-690-8245 Office (916) 213-7556 Mobile jdimataris@cmab.net www.realcaliforniamilk.com - AMF/SPREADABLE BUTTER - BUTTER - CHEESE -COTTAGE CHEESE/RICOTTA - CREAM - CREAM -CHEESE - DRINKABLE YOGURT - EVAPORATED MILK- GELATO - FLUID MILK - ICE CREAM/ NOVELTIES - MILK POWDER - MPC - PIZZA CHEESE - PROBIOTIC BEVERAGES - SOUR CREAM - SPECIALTY CHEESE - WHEY PROTEIN - WHIPPING CREAM - YOGURT -

Looking for Dairy Products?

We can connect you with the right sources www.storebrands.com

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Store Brand Program Featuring one-on-one meetings between buyers and suppliers with personal assistance from an ECRM Client Success Manager and pre-scheduled meetings.

NOV 1 - 3, 2022

Store Brand Health, Vitamin, & OTC

NOV 1 - 3, 2022

Store Brand Beauty & Personal Care

To learn how you can take advantage of these meeting opportunities, contact Craig Chmielowicz at 440-528-0445 or cjc@ecrm.marketgate.com

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SEAFOOD REPORT

GONE FISHING GROWING DEMAND FOR SEAFOOD GIVES RETAILERS NEW SELLING OPPORTUNITIES.

By Zachary Russell

A

s the number of Americans looking to maintain a healthier diet continues to increase, the amount of seafood being consumed also continues to grow.

According to FMI’s report, The Power of Seafood 2022, total seafood sales were $16.9 billion in 2021, growing 0.9% compared to the previous year. In 2020, seafood sales grew by 28.4% over 2019. FMI also reported that 29% of Americans are classified as frequent seafood consumers, eating seafood at least two times per week.

That number was 25% of shoppers in 2019, and 21% in 2018, showing the continued growth of seafood accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and consumers’ shift towards healthier lifestyles.

While more than half (54%) of consumers surveyed in The Power of Seafood 2022 report said the desire to eat healthier was driving their increased seafood con-

sumption, other factors for the increase include wanting a greater variety in their diet, eating more proteins and looking for new types of food to eat.

“Experts predict that by 2030, seafood will provide 3.3 billion people with 20% of their animal protein intake,” said Tom White, Senior Manager of Supply Chain Food Safety - Seafood at NSF International, a third-party certification firm. “Awareness of the health benefits of seafood has also increased, as it is known to be an excellent source of lean protein with a range of nutrients that help to prevent heart disease and diabetes, and to improve brain and eye health as well as mental health.”

White also pointed to a recent report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations that noted global seafood production has quadrupled in the past 50 years to meet increasing appetites for this source of protein.

Shrimp, salmon, tilapia and tuna remain the most popwww.storebrands.com

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SEAFOOD REPORT ANNUAL SEAFOOD SALES BY DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT

TOTAL $

$ CHANGE

UNIT CHANGE

FRESH SEAFOOD

$7,098,018,796

4.1%

-2.6%

FROZEN SEAFOOD

$7,302,191,526

2.7%

-1.5%

GROCERY SEAFOOD

$2,2522,692,830

-11.4%

-13.4%

TOTAL SEAFOOD

$16,922,903,152

0.9%

-7.5%

SOURCE: FMI/IRI DATA

ular seafood products, accounting for 60% of total revenue according to FMI’s report. Crab has seen increased popularity, but the high cost has impacted its share of the seafood market. Since most seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported, experts point to higher shipping costs as a key factor for higher prices consumers are seeing in the seafood section.

But price isn’t the only issue impacting what private label seafood products shoppers are buying. Like many other categories, sustainability is an important issue for consumers when purchasing seafood.

“As seafood intake increases, more consumers are actively seeking out sustainably sourced seafood,” said White. “Consumers are becoming more intentional about what they choose to eat, often selecting products that have a ‘seal of approval’ in the form of a certifier’s logo ensuring that what’s marketed as sustainable or healthy for them is validated by a reputable source.”

He noted that ‘sustainably sourced’ is defined as seafood that is caught or farmed with minimal social impact and environmental impact to the marine ecosystem, conserving fish stocks and the ecosystems that support them while complying with relevant laws and regulations.

White added that the demand for sustainable seafood is causing some retailers to make certifications a prerequisite to be carried in store, 36

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Consumers are becoming more intentional about what they choose to eat, often selecting products that have a ‘seal of approval’ in the form of a certifier’s logo ensuring that what’s marketed as sustainable or healthy for them is validated by a reputable source.

— Tom White, NSF International

or to become a supplier for private brands. While it can be costly, these measures are what retailers view as important when creating a private label seafood portfolio.

And with retailers trying to mitigate cost increases, many continue developing their portfolios of private label seafood options, said Rick Stein, VP of Fresh Foods at FMI. “Private brands are often a cost savings option for consumers,” he said.

According to the U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends: Shopping Landscape, 86% of shoppers who are worried about rising food prices are making behavior changes and that includes 35% of those shoppers buying more private brand products.

While seafood still lags behind meat

categories like beef and chicken in sales, the category’s growth over the past two years should signal to retailers that expanding seafood offerings could lead to strong sales performance. Stein added that when it comes to new ways for retailers to expand their private label seafood selection, success can be found in the freezer aisle. From 2020 to 2021, frozen seafood sales increased 4.1% according to FMI’s report.

“Retailers are developing lots of frozen meal options in seafood,” he said. “Consumers enjoy the convenience of having the seafood partially prepared in order to meet their menu desires. For food retailers, frozen is the best way for private brands to expand meal seafood options and create solutions for shoppers.”

www.storebrands.com

8/1/22 1:41 PM

SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING

A NEED FOR INNOVATION IN PACKAGING CONCERNS OVER PFAS CHEMICALS ARE DRIVING THE NEED TO DEVELOP ENVIRONMENTALLYSAFE ALTERNATIVES.

P

By Zachary Russell

er- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, are a hot topic among environmental experts and conscious consumers.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS are widely used, long-lasting chemicals that take a long time to break down once in the environment. There are thousands of PFAS chemicals found in consumer products, including the packaging of items now on grocery store shelves.

PFAS have found their way into water, air, fish, soil and even blood. According to the Centers for Disease Control, while the effects aren’t fully known, studies have indicated that the chemicals may impact reproduction, thyroid function, the immune system and more.

According to experts, retailers moving private brand packaging towards clean, certified materials could make a big difference both for the environment, and when it comes

to attracting customers who value sustainability.

“Alternatives to PFAS exist for most applications, including various food packaging,” said Ross Youngs, CEO and cofounder of Univenture, a multifaceted firm that works to develop sustainable packaging. “However, market demand will drive production capacity because until there is a need and cost justification, new source availability will lag.”

Youngs noted that bio-based sustainable options such as polylactic acid (PLA), bio wax coated papers and laminations of paper cellulose bioplastics are all potential options for packaging. For the longer-life non-packaging PFA products, there may be exceptions for specific uses. Regardless, he said there will be a need for environmentally friendly methods to stabilize or neutralize PFAS for end-of-life disposal.

And while there are challenges in the process, he said PFAS-free packaging is a worthwhile investment. However, a proper branding and advertising campaign around the new www.storebrands.com

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SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS FOR CONSUMERS AROUND SUSTAINABILITY WHEN SHOPPING

63%

The brand uses recycled packaging The brand uses as little packaging as possible

56%

The brand has reduced plastic packaging

51% 31%

The brand uses packaging paper

SOURCE: SHORR PACKAGING

packaging for private label items must be in place as well. This is due to a lack of PFAS awareness among the public, although Google searches for the term have increased in the past three years.

“For either the retailer or the supplier manufacturer, there is a playbook of intelligent adoption,” said Youngs. “Specifically, the shift must be accompanied by a marketing program to drive sales or support price increases. The introduction of safer packaging alternatives must be accompanied by strategic project planning involving vendor suppliers, manufacturing, and staff to line up a successful execution. Most importantly is the branding and communication. Customers need to understand, recognize, and adopt the value of safer packaging solutions.”

According to the 2022 Sustainable Packaging Consumer Report from Shorr Packaging, consumers are already looking for eco-friendly products on the market, including items packaged sustainably. More than three-quarters (76%) of survey respondents said that they have made an effort to purchase sustainable products in the past year.

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For either the retailer or the supplier manufacturer, there is a playbook of intelligent adoption.

Specifically, the shift must be accompanied by a marketing program to drive sales or support price increases.

— Ross Youngs, Univenture

packaged sustainably.

Additionally, 64% said that sustainable packaging is a factor in their product selection process, with 72% of respondents in the 1829 age bracket. Nearly seven in 10 (68%) respondents said they would be open to switching brands because of sustainable packaging, and 47% would be willing to pay more for eco-friendly packaging.

Kim Carswell, Sustainability

Consultant at Shorr Packaging, said that retailers can use private brands to their advantage when making the switch to sustainable packaging.

“Retailers have two key advantages: they have less investment in the manufacturing systems, and they own a good portion of their value chain,” she said. “Retailers can work with the vendors that produce their private label products to reduce the impact of their packaging in the same way national brands do. The more retailers align on their goals, the more consistent the messages will be for the vendor or manufacturing community, and the more progress will occur, providing the consumer with more sustainable packaging.”

In addition to attracting consumers, PFAS-free packaging has an added bonus: it is key for compostability initiatives as well, especially for retailers looking to build compostable private label product assortments.

“In the grocery/retail space, you have customers looking for compostable alternatives, and it’s very important that those alternatives are PFAS-free and that they actually break down well in composting facilities,” Susan Thoman, Managing Director of the Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA) said during a recent Store Brands webinar on third-party compostability certification. “Our program is about creating a space where retailers and manufacturers can come together and co-create compostables, and a big part of that is making sure we don’t get chemicals into our systems.”

In July, the Federal PFAS Research Evaluation Act, a bill that would direct federal agencies to study and report on the impact of PFAS, was introduced into the U.S. Senate. While the detailed full effects of these chemicals are still unknown, retailers have the opportunity to shift to clean, PFAS-free packaging for own brand products that both they and their customers can feel good about. While there are potentially roadblocks in the process, experts say the transition will be worth it.

www.storebrands.com

8/1/22 3:41 PM

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