SB_1022

In high-velocity enterprises like grocery retailing and store brands, even short-term changes can be transformative. Store brand sales are up double digits this year, they’re seen as an important ally against inflation. And consumers have never been more interested in how products are made, from ingredients to sustainability.

You can catch up on these and other new trends, products, practices, and people you may have missed since our last in-person Show.

Come to PLMA’s 2022 Private Label Trade Show. There will be thousands of exhibitors from around the world, outstanding food, beverages, snacks to health and beauty, household, and GM suppliers offering you quality and innovation in every aisle. Again feel, touch, smell, test -- experience! -- the products firsthand.

For more information, contact PLMA by phone at +1 212 972 3131 or e-mail info@plma.com or visit www.plma.com.

TRADE

by

Since we last met, a lot has happened in three years.

HONORING THE GREAT WORK OF RETAILERS, SUPPLIERS

STORE BRANDS DEBUTS IMPACT AWARDS TO SHOWCASE THE MANY SUCCESSES ACROSS THE WORLD OF PRIVATE LABEL

On a daily basis, Store Brands is focused on covering what’s happening in the world of private label. Whether it’s new products, retail happenings, personnel news or other important events, we have a long history of bringing our readers the information they need.

Part of that history also includes honoring the work of the people and companies that comprise the industry we cover. From Editor’s Picks, to Top Women in Store Brands and Rising Stars in private label, our annual awards are much anticipated and celebrated by each year’s honorees.

Building off this success, Store Brands is proud to announce Impact Awards. It’s our belief that the private label business is a force for good. We continually see many companies that go above and beyond, working to protect the environment, enhance diversity programs, implement unique workforce initiatives, support needed community programs and more.

In developing Impact Awards, we identified key areas and structured the program to honor retailers in one group and suppliers/solution providers in another group. In doing so, this allows us to recognize that companies in each category impact these key issues in very different ways because of the differences in their businesses.

The categories of recognition are:

• Sustainability and Resource Conservation

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Ethical Sourcing and Supply Chain Transparency

• Workforce Development and Employee Support

• Community Service and Local Impact

• Educational Support and Learning Advancement

• Food Security, Safety and Nutritional Leadership

• Philanthropic Innovation and Corporate Giving Initiatives

The Impact Awards are open to all retailers, product suppliers and solutions providers that work within the world of private label. Entries will be judged by Store Brands and winners will be announced and featured in the December issue of Store Brands. Each category listed above will include an honoree from retailers and suppliers/solution providers.

To enter, please visit StoreBrands.com and search “Impact Awards” for the submission form. We look forward to reviewing each entrant and honoring the great work being done across the world of private label. As always, if you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at gsleter@ensembleiq.com.

An EnsembleIQ Publication

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, n ltser@ensembleiq.com

PROJECT MANAGEMENT/PRODUCTION/ART

Creative Director Colette Magliaro cmagliaro@ensembleiq.com

Designer Jyoti Patiyar jpatiyar@ensembleiq.com

Advertising/Production Manager Pat Wisser 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

CORPORATE OFFICERS

Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Litterick

Chief Financial Officer Jane Volland

Chief People Officer Ann Jadown

Executive Vice President, Operations Derek Estey

Executive Vice President, Content & Communications 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.

UNCAP YOUR PRODUCT’S

Mold-Rite Packaging is the leading provider of high-quality jars and closures used every day by millions of consumers around the globe. The packaging experts at MRP can support your nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, food, personal care, household chemical and automotive packaging projects. Count on Mold-Rite to deliver safety, compliance, shelf impact and consumer satisfaction.

BY GREG SLETER AND ZACHARY RUSSELL

For 10 years, Store Brands and Women Impacting Storebrand Excellence (WISE) have joined forces to highlight key women across the private brand industry, honoring leaders who have a major impact across many facets of the business.

From supply chain, to sales, marketing, finance and more, the Class of 2022 selections play a vital role in moving store brands forward amid new and on-going challenges including rising prices and ever changing demand from consumers. Additionally, the Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the long-term commitment and effort of a woman who has been the

driving force behind many of her company’s significant marketing and merchandising initiatives, including the creation of approximately 75 store brands.

This year’s Top Women In Store Brands includes a 10th award, the DEI Company of the Year, designed to honor the work of an organization for excellence in advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion across the company.

The winners will be recognized during the WISE annual meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 9, and will again be presented virtually this year.

Meet the 2021 winners:

The

Top Women In Store Brands Honorees Continue Driving Growth In The Private Label Industry

MARKETING/ MERCHANDISING

Jill Sando Executive Vice President & Chief Merchandising Officer Target

From her first days at Target as an assistant buyer, Jill Sando has built a reputation across retail as one of the industry’s most skilled merchants. Known for having a discerning eye for trends while anticipating the needs of the retailer’s shoppers, Sando has risen steadily through Target’s hierarchy holding various leadership positions in merchandising, planning, product design and development.

As the 2022 Top Women In Store Brand honoree in the Marketing and Merchandising category, Sando and Target continue to build off the retailer’s long history of developing unique private label products sold under various own brands as well as teaming with well-known designers for exclusive products.

“Design has always been in our DNA and it’s highly valued throughout the organization,” Sando told Store Brands. “You see this influence in our work with our owned brands and in how we work with national brands and our talented design partners. We are constantly evolving in this space to surprise and delight our guests.”

Sando credits Target’s success in private label to its world class owned-brand design, sourcing and management capabilities with teams at its headquarters and around the world working closely with vendor partners to deliver products.

DESIGN HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN OUR DNA AND IT’S HIGHLY VALUED THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION. YOU SEE THIS INFLUENCE IN OUR WORK WITH OUR OWNED BRANDS AND IN HOW WE WORK WITH NATIONAL BRANDS AND OUR TALENTED DESIGN PARTNERS.

— Jill Sando, Target

In recent years, Target has continued to build on its long-standing reputation with the launch of several high-profile private label brands, including the Kindfull line of dog and cat food in 2021. Additionally, she has also fostered relationships with designers and brands including Christian Robinson, LEGO and Tabitha Brown as part of an effort to bring exclusive products to her shoppers.

Among the private label brands that standout to Sando are Cat & Jack and Hearth & Hand with Magnolia.

“Cat & Jack is one of our first owned brands when we set out to reimagine our assortment several years ago, and it’s been incredibly successful. It was built on core values and created with a distinct personality.”

She continued, “The second one that stands out is Hearth & Hand with Magnolia. We saw an opportunity in the modern

MARKETING/ MERCHANDISING CONTINUED

SUPPLY CHAIN/ PROCUREMENT

Simone Parry

farmhouse aesthetic and thought that Chip and Joanna Gaines would be perfect partners to create this brand with us. I remember our very first meeting and how we talked about our dreams, and seeing the guest love what this brand has generated has been a real highlight,” she said.

In an industry that sees continual change and executives moving from company to company, Sando is also unique in that she has remained at one retailer for more than a quarter-century.

“I’ve stayed with Target for 25 years because of the people and the work we do together every day to deliver joy to our guests,” she said. This is a team that leads with big minds and big hearts. That was true when I started at Target in 1997 and it remains so today. I learn so much from a team that has come to Target to discover, innovate, and deliver programs and products that make people happy. It has been a gift and I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.”

As Sando continues her career at Target, she also serves as inspiration to future generations of women entering retail.

Her advice is simple. “Lean into your superpowers. I truly believe you are successful when you are happy, and you are happy when you are being true to yourself,” she said. “I went through phases where I compared myself to others, and focused on my deficiencies. When I let go of that, and leaned into my strengths, I started having more fun, developed stronger connections with my colleagues, and was given additional opportunities to grow and learn.”

Vice President, Private Brands/Consumables Walmart

The focus on health and wellness remains an important topic for many consumers, and providing the products her shoppers need in these categories is the focus for Simone Parry, vice president of Private Brands/Consumables at Walmart.

The 2022 Top Women In Store Brands honoree in the Supply Chain and Procurement category, Parry is best known for her work in ensuring that Walmart continues to expand its supply base for private branded products. The expansion she has driven has helped the retailer continue to meet its goal of providing everyday low prices to its customers while also boosting product availability across multiple categories.

“Growing together with our current supplier partners, as well as constantly seeking new partnerships where suppliers can work with us together to fulfill our customer proposition and needs has been one of the keys to my success,”

GROWING TOGETHER WITH OUR CURRENT SUPPLIER PARTNERS, AS WELL AS CONSTANTLY SEEKING NEW PARTNERSHIPS WHERE SUPPLIERS CAN WORK WITH US TOGETHER TO FULFILL OUR CUSTOMER PROPOSITION AND NEEDS, HAS BEEN ONE OF THE KEYS TO MY SUCCESS.

— Simone Parry, Walmart

Lowe's is proud to be recognized by Store Brands as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Company of the Year.

We are committed to driving diversity and inclusion – and that begins in our own backyard. Lowe’s strives to be an employer of choice by creating a workplace that brings out the best in our associates, customers and the communities they serve.

Lowe’s is an equal opportunity employer. From us and our Private Brands, we thank you for your support.

SUPPLY CHAIN/ PROCUREMENT CONTINUED

SPARKPLUG

Alexis Herbert Business Manager Daymon

she told Store Brands. “Additionally, finding new partners and working closely with our current suppliers who share in our customer vision and joint business plans is also vitally important to our success.”

Colleagues said other important elements to Parry’s success has been her deep understanding of the Walmart customer, key insights and her ability to bring along suppliers and the industry to drive success for all involved. Through her efforts and a focus on core items and innovation, she has helped Walmart’s Spring Valley vitamin line become the number one brand in the vitamin segment.

When developing products for Walmart’s large base of shoppers, Parry said the retailer follows an “end-toend ideation to shelf process” where the customer is at the core of this development path.

“The process involves various tools, systems and information sources, as well as thoroughly utilizing internal Walmart customer data,” she said.

Parry joined Walmart nine years ago and said she always admired the retailer’s mission of saving people money so they can live better. The company, she said, is focused on the customer and its core culture of respect for the individual, diversity and inclusion, which was a major factor in her choosing to work for Walmart.

Alexis Herbert has only served as private brand consultancy Daymon’s business manager for a year now, but that hasn’t stopped her from making an impact for the company’s clients.

She recently helped one client launch multiple new items and close several banner distribution voids, growing their business by double digits while increasing private brand sales for the retailer. Herbert was successful in expanding business with one of her bakery manufacturers, launching 13 new programs in 2022 including several everyday items and multiple seasonal programs generating over $1.8M in sales for the manufacturer. In addition to her client support, she is in constant dialogue with Ahold Delhaize to help solve business issues.

As part of Daymon’s Eastern Regional Sales Office, Herbert has broad responsibility leading business development efforts at Ahold Delhaize and select other New England retailers across center store, grocery and fresh. In this role, she is focused on growing existing manufacturer client business and closure of new client representation.

PRIVATE BRANDS CAN BE INNOVATIVE AND EXCITING.

– Alexis Herbert, Daymon

“I grew up shopping for private brand products,” said Herbert. “My original perception on private brands was solely a cheaper option for the consumer. While that remains true, I now see private brands as more than just a better price tag. Private brands can be innovative and exciting. I’ve learned store brand execution can be key to win over consumers. When a retailer can offer products that excite the consumer, everybody wins.”

Herbert’s nominator for the Sparkplug honor credited her with setting a great example for others on the Daymon team, always willing to take on new challenges, supporting her peers, and leading with a customer and client-first mindset.

“My job with Daymon gives me freedom to be creative and add my own personal touch to business development,” Herbert said. “I love that I’m able to start from scratch, take an idea and watch it transform into a product that could be very special to someone, in hundreds of stores. I am very passionate about food. Whether it be cooking, trying the newest and wildest trends, or sharing a meal with loved ones, I find it rewarding to be able to play a part in that.”

I’VE LEARNED STORE BRAND EXECUTION CAN BE KEY TO WIN OVER CONSUMERS. WHEN A RETAILER CAN OFFER PRODUCTS THAT EXCITE THE CONSUMER, EVERYBODY WINS.

A

Congratulations, Donna, on your well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award. ten on ustry. ions, our d t Award

Donna Tweeten leaves an indelible mark the retail industry.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Donna Tweeten Executive Vice President, Chief of Staff Hy-Vee

In her nearly 20 years at Iowa-based grocery chain Hy-Vee, Donna Tweeten has made countless impacts for the retailer, including playing a large role in the creation and merchandising of private brands.

As a master marketer, Tweeten has led all aspects of the retailer’s private brand strategy, from deciding on the offerings and go-to market approach, as well as how they are marketed to increase customer interest. Tweeten works to drive creativity and innovation, and has positioned Hy-Vee’s store brands as experiential, value-driven and customer-focused. She and her team have curated

a lineup of private brands that meet a wide variety of consumer needs in nearly every category including canned goods, bread, snacks, drinks, health items such as glutenfree Good Graces snacks and meal offerings, and high-end, curated culinary experiences like Gustare Vita Italian products.

Tweeten’s recent marketing accomplishments are multi-faceted. Hy-Vee sponsored the NTT INDYCAR SERIES doubleheader races in Newton, Iowa, which included a festival-like atmosphere with music, food and family-focused entertainment. In 2021, Tweeten developed the Scan the Code campaign, encouraging customers to scan an H-shaped QR code to find deals on Hy-VeeDeals.com and begin accessing coupons online, including featured deals on store brand products. She also spearheaded re-tooling Helpful Smiles TV (HSTV.com), Hy-Vee’s streaming network, which now includes the ability to shop while you watch. This content also features Hy-Vee’s store brands.

Prior to the TWISB Lifetime Achievement award, Tweeten received ample praise for her contributions to the world of grocery at Hy-Vee. She was named one of Progressive Grocer’s Top Women in Grocery in 2011, 2013 and 2019, among a slew of other awards. Prior to her time at Hy-Vee, she received the Gold ADDY, which is one of the top national advertising honors, and she was also recognized as the Producer of the Year by the Des Moines Advertising Professionals Group. Donna was Alumni of the Year for Drake University School of Journalism and Mass Communications in 2006.

Not only is Tweeten instrumental to Hy-Vee’s private brand development, she plays a key role in the grocery’s charitable partnerships. In partnership with Feeding America, she led Hy-Vee to raise more than $1,082,000 in food and supplies that was distributed among 17 Feeding America-affiliated food banks. She also initiated Hy-Vee’s presenting partnership with Iowa Stops Hunger in 2020, a yearlong statewide program to drive awareness and action around hunger and food insecurity.

Other charitable programs Tweeten has helped develop include Hy-Vee’s One Step program, where employees – both current and retired – are encouraged to donate their time toward community efforts, and Hy-Vee KidsFit, which promotes healthy lifestyles for kids and families through online video tutorials, fitness workbooks, and more, just to name a few.

AS A MASTER MARKETER, DONNA TWEETEN HAS LED ALL ASPECTS OF HYVEE’S PRIVATE BRAND STRATEGY, FROM DECIDING ON THE OFFERINGS AND GO-TO MARKET APPROACH, AS WELL AS HOW THEY ARE MARKETED TO INCREASE CUSTOMER INTEREST.

INNOVATION

Andrea Collaro

Senior Director of Product Development & Brand Management Responsible for Owned Brand Healthcare Walgreens

Earning the Innovation award this year is Andrea Collaro, senior director of product development & brand management at Walgreens. In this role, Collaro oversees the pharmacy chain’s own brand healthcare products, sold at nearly 9,000 locations across the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Collaro leads the entire Walgreens owned brand division, spanning 12 brands and more than 4,500 products and is responsible for everything from product development to brand management. She spearheads product development across four divisions of insightsdriven, consumer-led healthcare products including health & wellness, beauty, personal care, grocery & household, and seasonal/general merchandise.

After working with her team of 37 product development managers and strategists, Collaro collaborates with the digital team to ensure the products reach the right consumers. Praised by colleagues as being a skilled strategist, she is also a leader that promotes collaboration and inspires diversity of thought.

– Andrea Collaro, Walgreens prod-

“Owned brands can draw consumers to a retailer when they’ve established themselves as a great value offer with quality and often innovative products, which is something we’ve done during my tenure at Walgreens,” said Collaro. “Our Walgreens brand health and wellness products in particular play an important role in the lives of our consumers.”

Collaro earned her PharmD from UIC College of Pharmacy and has a strong professional background rooted in healthcare

with positions spanning pharmacy operations and procurement to merchandising, all within Walgreens. After 10 years in the field speaking to patients every day as a Walgreens pharmacist, her commitment to care and vast knowledge of consumer needs combined with a deep understanding of health and wellness has contributed to her success and achievements. Private brand innovations rolled out by CVS this year include a pulse oximeter with respiratory rate function developed in the middle of COVID that helped patients assess declining lung function, along with products for pain management such as red light therapy, vibration therapy and an acupressure mat.

“The key is not only providing value to the consumer but developing products that meet their needs, therefore establishing trust and loyalty,” she said. “Our owned brand products are proudly a huge driver of customer loyalty to Walgreens and we’ll continue to capitalize on this evolving consumer mindset as we seek to be the first choice health and wellness brand. I hope to continue to spearhead our owned brands as a trusted offering for our consumers, not only delivering value but also innovative solutions where it matters most.”

OWNED BRANDS CAN DRAW CONSUMERS TO A RETAILER WHEN THEY’VE ESTABLISHED THEMSELVES AS A GREAT VALUE OFFER WITH QUALITY AND OFTEN INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS, WHICH IS SOMETHING WE’VE DONE DURING MY TENURE AT WALGREENS.

CORPORATE SERVICES

Lashelle Russell Deductions Analyst Simmons Pet Food

A year after joining Simmons Pet Food, Lashelle Russell continues to love her job and being a part of a company that she said is a major force for good in the communities in and around its Siloam Springs, Ark., headquarters.

“The month I applied for my job the company donated money to the local community to help pay for a splash park,” Russell said. “This is a big deal in a small town and shows they care about the community and put people first.”

On a daily basis, she works to ensure Simmons Pet Food can continue to support its local community. Russell, who is the 2022 Top Women In Store Brands honoree in the Corporate Services category, is responsible for managing the deduction process for the company’s largest accounts. She has also taken on additional responsibilities that encompass more broad-reaching business analytics and account management.

“We work with some of the biggest retailers in the country and make sure

that any claims they make regarding products we ship to them are accurate,” she said. “We also work to identify any issues internally and then develop solutions.”

After more than a decade at Walmart, Russell said she applied for a position at Simmons “on a whim.”

“A friend encouraged me to go on LinkedIn and find a job that I thought I would like, even if I felt I was not completely qualified for the position,” she said. “I did that and the result has been amazing.”

During her initial 12 months at the pet food company, she has made a major impact. Colleagues note that deduction processes are robust and a vendor that is not well-equipped to fight deductions will quickly find themselves losing money.

Since joining Simmons, Russell has recoupedmore than $1.5 million.

“I spent the first couple of months working on getting money back,” she recalled. “I then worked to review our processes to make deductions flow smoothly. We also spent time reminding our teams to complete all orders properly. This alone saves a lot of money.”

WE WORK WITH SOME OF THE BIGGEST RETAILERS IN THE COUNTRY AND MAKE SURE THAT ANY CLAIMS THEY MAKE REGARDING PRODUCTS WE SHIP TO THEM ARE ACCURATE. WE ALSO WORK TO IDENTIFY ANY ISSUES INTERNALLY AND THEN DEVELOP SOLUTIONS.

– Lashelle Russell, Simmons Pet Food

SALES

Kenzie Anstett Key Account Manager Schreiber Foods

When Kenzie Anstett was in her early college days at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, her career goals were focused largely on going into the world of nutrition as a health coach.

But Anstett’s path began to change after taking a sales position at Schreiber Foods, where today she serves as the company’s key account manager, Retail Sales. Serving as sales support for two of the company’s larger customers, Walmart and Sam’s Club, she is being recognized for her work as the Sales honoree in the 2022 Top Women In Store Brands.

“Well, truthfully, I was shocked as I have never won anything before,” she told Store Brands. “I feel very lucky to have been picked as there are so many strong women who work in sales today.”

Growing up on a small animal farm and apple orchard in Wisconsin, several conversations Anstett had made her realize that some of her perceptions about sales were off the mark. As she entered what for

SALES CONTINUED

MY ROLE HAS EVOLVED SO MUCH OVER THE FOUR YEARS I’VE BEEN IN MY CURRENT POSITION AND COVID HAD A MAJOR IMPACT ON HOW THE BUYERS WORK WITH US. WE ARE MORE COLLABORATIVE AND HAVE BUILT STRONG RELATIONSHIPS THAT HAVE HELPED US WORK THROUGH SOME TOUGH SITUATIONS EFFECTIVELY.

her was a new field, she began learning about Schrieber’s products and was working on the company’s inside sales team. She would then move on to the Walmart team.

“My role has evolved so much over the four years I’ve been in my current position and COVID had a major impact on how the buyers work with us,” Anstett explained. “We are more collaborative and have built strong relationships that have helped us work through some tough situations effectively.”

While working with Schreiber’s retail customers on a daily basis is an enjoyable part of the job, Anstett also discussed her love of her company and its corporate culture.

“I love the partners,” she said. “They make it fun coming to work every day and they are my family. It also motivates me knowing everything I do directly impacts the company’s results.”

And while Anstett said she has had many great moments doing her job, perhaps her biggest highlight came recently while working with Walmart. One of the world’s biggest retailers accepted all of her new product recommendations.

“We have worked very closely with Walmart and have a clear understanding of what they want for their customers,” she said. “It was definitely one of my career highlights and a very cool moment. But it’s also a team effort and something that would have not been possible without everyone at Schrieber from creative design to R&D.”

OPERATIONS

Nicole (Niki) Kostrova

Director, Customer Service TreeHouse Foods

As TreeHouse Foods’ director of customer service, Nicole (Niki) Kostrova leads a team of six supervisors who oversee 50 customer service and fulfillment specialists and a group of analysts and sample order coordinators. This team is responsible for order fulfillment for a diverse store brand customer base within a network of more than 90 facilities including plants, warehouses and third-party logistics facilities.

Facing unique challenges over the past two years brought on by the pandemic, Kostrova, the 2022 Top Women In Store Brands honoree in the Operations category, guided her team through unprecedented challenges in the first year of the global health crisis. The second year posed greater challenges as global supply chain constraints impacted order fulfillment in ways not previously seen.

Kostrova cites her team as a key factor in dealing with these challenges and for her professional success.

– Kenzie Anstett, Schreiber Foods

– Nicole (Niki) Kostrova, TreeHouse Foods

“The strong and supportive team I am fortunate to lead has provided me the opportunity to be successful,” she said. “As a leader, I feel that my success is directly related to the ability to communicate processes and strategy that is not only executable, but collaborative. The people on my team challenge me when they don’t think something is right, and having the ability to work together to find the best solution is key.”

As the pandemic took hold, Kostrova had the foresight to understand the impact this would have on TreeHouse as a supplier of store brands, and specifically on the customer service team’s ability to maintain quality service with the increase in order volume.

Early on, she was instrumental in defining and executing an order management strategy to ensure continued store brand supply across a variety of categories and SKUs. She partnered with IT to develop and enhance order management tools to address the increased volume of orders. As the pandemic moved into year two, she sought out process improvements to adjust to the newest challenge of supply chain disruptions.

“As COVID hit in 2020, the way and ability to serve our customers was completely turned upside down,” she said. “As warehouses experienced staffing issues due to illness and close contact outages, TreeHouse had to look at different ways to make sure that all customers received product. Panic buying led to some surges in order requests and it was important that we made sure all parts of the country were serviced.”

Niki

Niki

team to successfully manage the increased volume during the pandemic. Under her leadership, the team deployed an order management strategy to ensure continued store brand supply. In response to supply chain disruptions, Niki relentlessly sought out process improvements to meet

THE STRONG AND SUPPORTIVE TEAM I AM FORTUNATE TO LEAD HAS PROVIDED ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE SUCCESSFUL. AS A LEADER, I FEEL THAT MY SUCCESS IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE PROCESSES AND STRATEGY THAT IS NOT ONLY EXECUTABLE, BUT COLLABORATIVE.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT/ QUALITY ASSURANCE

Ninfa Reinoso Manager, Quality Assurance Topco Associates

Ninfa Reinoso is the quality assurance manager for Topco Associates, which serves retailers across the country with private label products in several categories. In this role, Reinoso is responsible for managing and ensuring that Topco’s supplier manufacturing locations remain in compliance with all regulatory requirements and industry standards.

She also manages Topco’s partnership with suppliers in driving product related improvements based on consumer and retailer feedback, as well as mentoring, developing and training quality assurance specialists to maintain the standards of the company’s expansive private label assortment.

Reinoso brings extensive manufacturing experience to her role. A recent major initiative she led focused on regulatory information and data management, leading to improved assurance and management of product and supplier related information, as well as significantly positively impacting cycle time. She helped review more than 13,000 audits, enhancing the processes and robustness of the foreign supplier verification program, which resulted in successful FDA audits.

Throughout the ongoing pandemic challenges, Reinoso worked with Topco’s category and sourcing team, ensuring that supplier locations were open and available, not only to provide product for member stores, but also to ensure they were meeting both regulatory and industry standards.

According to her coworkers, Reinoso brings a committed, yet collaborative approach to the supplier quality management process. Especially throughout the magnified supply chain challenges of the past year, she displayed formidable leadership abilities, advocating creative flexibility with an eye towards innovative solutions while always maintaining a requisite sense of urgency. Her passion for continuous improvement has been instrumental in Topco’s efforts to further improve the incident notification process to exceed regulatory requirements, and be amongst best in class in the grocery industry.

THROUGHOUT THE ONGOING PANDEMIC CHALLENGES, NINFA REINOSO WORKED WITH TOPCO’S CATEGORY AND SOURCING TEAM, ENSURING THAT SUPPLIER LOCATIONS WERE OPEN AND AVAILABLE, NOT ONLY TO PROVIDE PRODUCT FOR MEMBER STORES, BUT ALSO TO ENSURE THEY WERE MEETING BOTH REGULATORY AND INDUSTRY STANDARDS.

DEI

Lowe’s

Home improvement retailer Lowe’s has earned the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) honor for taking several initiatives to create a better world for various groups including women. The North Carolina-headquartered retail giant operates nearly 2,200 stores, employing more than 300,000 people, and says its DEI approach focused on three strategic areas: talent, culture and business.

Lowe’s actively listens to stakeholders’ needs, including its associates and cus tomers, and collaborates with them to create inclusive policies, products, and engagement efforts. One of these pro grams is the launch of Lowe’s’ American

COVER

Sign Language (ASL) tools and resources.

Earlier this year, Lowe’s offered special custom-designed ASL vests, polo shirts, badges, pins, training, and more to support their deaf and hard of hearing customers and associates. These tools provide awareness to customers and other associates that they may use ASL language or communicate differently.

This year, Lowe’s also added other tools and a new app with Talk-to-Text capabilities to Lowe’s-provided mobile devices to effectively communicate. The Talk-to-Text app may also be used by hearing associates who need to interact and provide customer service to deaf and hard-of-hearing customers who may be shopping at their stores.

In 2021, Lowe’s created the Livable Home program, dedicated to providing total solutions to disabled and elderly homeowners and associates. The program offers a toll-free number that provides

information for customers on what products exist to make their homes safer and more accessible, such as chair lifts, wheelchair ramps, walk-in baths and other items. Due to the work done on this program in 2021, Lowe’s received the 2022 Marketplace Innovator of the Year Inclusion Award from Disability:IN, a leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide

When it comes to product sourcing, including for its private brands, the retailer seeks small and diverse suppliers where possible, partnering with organizations that champion diverse suppliers and entrepreneurs and help them grow their businesses. The company has enhanced processes to collect and analyze supplier data and establish baselines to better understand each vendor’s capabilities and identify opportunities for improvement.

To sum up its DEI approach, the company says that “when Lowe’s is successful, the associates, customers and shareholders should be too.”

WHEN IT COMES TO PRODUCT SOURCING, INCLUDING FOR ITS PRIVATE BRANDS. THE RETAILER SEEKS SMALL AND DIVERSE SUPPLIERS WHERE POSSIBLE, PARTNERING WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT CHAMPION DIVERSE SUPPLIERS AND ENTREPRENEURS AND HELP THEM GROW THEIR BUSINESSES.

WHAT’S BREWING

INFLATION, SUSTAINABILITY HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON CONSUMER COFFEE CONSUMPTION HABITS

By Greg Sleter

Perhaps no other beverage, or consumable product for that matter, stirs more emotion in consumers than coffee. For tens of millions of Americans, it’s the beverage of choice to start their day, and the selections available at retail feel never ending.

If there is one constant for retailers and suppliers operating in the coffee world, it’s change. The previous two-plus years dating back to the start of the pandemic saw consumers radically alter their coffee drinking habits and look to bring their familiar coffee shop experience home.

Retailers and product suppliers in the face of numerous

challenges responded and updated assortments to meet this new demand. Much of the focus was on expanding assortments to include flavors that allowed coffee drinkers to replicate the coffee shop experience.

Today, however, the hot topics among coffee experts include the challenges the current inflationary environment is presenting along with the issue of sustainability. Taken separately or apart, these two topics are top of mind for many and are having an impact on the product retailers are putting on their shelves and webpages.

Facing rising costs that are impacting everything from the crop itself to shipping costs, coffee prices have skyrocketed

Like their national brand counterparts, private label coffee products have seen a spike in prices since the pandemic began, seen here at Weis Markets.

and forced retailers to reevaluate their assortments. Coffee industry experts reported that coffee prices are at their highest levels in 20 years. National brands have seen price increases of between 20% and 50% while private label products have seen less of an increase, but are still up between 15% and 30% over the past two years.

Facing these price increases, retailers have put a greater emphasis on private label coffee assortments in an effort to give shoppers a quality product that carries a lower price tag.

“Store brands are now becoming more familiar to buyers as retailers step up their focus on creating great tasting items at a value,” said Elizabeth McLaughlin, executive vice president of Sales with Westrock Coffee Company. “What once was really only a presented opportunity to capture low budget shopping now has the opportunity to capture a wider audience if trust is gained and if the retailer can show how the product positively impacts the

environment or benefits their health.”

She pointed to a recent study by Mintel that shows 30% of U. S. shoppers purchase store brand food and beverage products more often than a year ago.

“The shift to private label is definitely something to note in stores as people look for more ways to maximize the value of their spending,” McLaughlin said. “The key factor to note here is that consumers are still not wanting to sacrifice quality, so store brands have an opportunity to gain brand loyalty with high-quality products.”

Accompanying the shift to more private label selections, some retailers are also focusing on modifying their assortments to carry store branded products sold in small quantities as part of an effort to help cashstrapped consumers.

“As more and more shoppers are living paycheck to paycheck because of inflation, this impacts unit volume when looking at the size of the market basket,” said Clay Dockery, vice president of Corporate Brands at Massimo Zanetti. “Retailers are gravitating to smaller package sizes in an effort to help consumers make ends meet on a weekly basis.”

Retailers such as Aldi that have offered a significant selection of private label coffee for quite some time have had a head start on their competitors as consumer demand has risen, and have been able to adapt more quickly to the changing budgetary concerns of their shoppers.

“Our suppliers are trusted partners and we work closely with them across every product category to identify ways to offset increases and

minimize the impact to our shoppers,” said Joan Kavanaugh, vice president of National Buying at Aldi. “We want our shoppers to know providing great value remains a priority, even as we navigate cost increases.”

Claudio Gemmiti, chief innovation officer with Club Coffee, echoed Kavanaugh’s comments, “Those retailers that have carried private label coffee assortments for some time are able to dial up certain aspects of their selections more easily in response to customer demand.”

SUSTAINABILITY

While inflation is having an impact on consumer coffee consumption habits, it is not having a negative impact on the issue of sustainability. In past years, inflationary periods have diminished the importance of the topic in the minds of consumers who were unwilling to pay more for sustainable products. But, industry insiders say this time that’s not the case.

“Frankly, I think it’s here to stay,” said Gemmiti. “[Sustainability] is at the forefront of so many coffee discussions.”

Dockery noted that recent information from the National Coffee Association showed that consumers are motivated to purchase coffee by a small handful of factors that include roast color and the issue of sustainability.

“People want to buy from a company that makes sure farmers receive equitable pay,” he said.

At Aldi, Kavanaugh said 53% of the grocer’s coffee products come from sustainable sources and the effort to increase that number continues. Aldi’s Corporate Responsibility Progress Report issued earlier this year included an update about its efforts to make 100% of the company’s Barissimo coffee products certified by the end of 2025.

“This goal follows our prior success in making 100% of our Simply Nature-branded coffee products from sustainable sources,” she added.

Additionally, Aldi has partnered with Fair Trade USA, Fairtrade America, and Rainforest Alliance to certify that its products are certified fair trade and sustainably sourced to help farmers and community development projects worldwide.

Others noted that third party certifiers

Our suppliers are trusted partners and we work closely with them across every product category to identify ways to offset increases and minimize the impact to our shoppers. We want our shoppers to know providing great value remains a priority, even as we navigate cost increases.

— Joan Kavanaugh, vice president of National Buying at Aldi

are of growing importance to ensure that claims related to sustainability made by suppliers and retailers are accurate. This also gives consumers focused on the issue piece of mind and confidence in claims being made when they are choosing products in store or online.

McLaughlin cautioned that rising prices can impact sustainable production, but the news isn’t all gloomy, she said, adding that rising prices lead to farmers being paid more for their products allowing them to make investments in their farms.

“Demand for sustainably sourced coffee is higher than ever,” she said. “It’s a great time for all of us to increase our knowledge on what it takes to create a sustainable product. It’s not just about the coffee the consumer buys, but the packaging and filter with it. All of these materials are subject to cost increases.”

CONSUMPTION TRENDS

Today, the style of coffee brewed at home continues to evolve with experts noting the pandemic having a major impact on consumer consumption habits. While the U.S. is largely operating at a pre-pandemic level of normalcy, there are still elements of change impacting the coffee segment. This includes the types of products people are purchasing and the style of coffee being consumed.

A major factor on the radar of suppliers and retailers is the continued trend of working from home, or companies offering employees a hybrid work schedule. Those who are now a part of the remote workforce are no longer visiting their local coffee shop for the morning cup of joe,

but are seeking out alternatives that bring the coffee shop experience home.

“When the pandemic started, at home consumption of coffee shot through the roof,” said Kim Cunningham, chief commercial officer with Mother Parkers Tea and Coffee. “There was some anticipation that the trend would slow, but it has largely held up. Those working at home full-time or on a hybrid schedule are out on the road less and drinking more of their coffee at home.”

While the location of work for many has shifted from the office to home, their taste for that coffee shop-style coffee they became accustomed to did not wane. As a result, many invested in quality home coffeemakers and then sought out quality coffee to brew in their kitchens.

But as is typical in the coffee world, the winds of change continue to shift with the younger generation having their say on the types of coffee now available at retail.

“With consumption patterns in Millennials and Gen Z being very different from those of older generations, the need for hot, traditionally brewed black coffee and lattes has decreased,” said McLaughlin. “As a result, the desire for cold beverages and ready-to-drink bottles and cans are increasing.”

While drinking cold coffee is not new, it continues to gain popularity. For many, having coffee over ice with a flavoring is a popular choice. But cold brew coffee is made by steeping coffee in water for between eight hours and 24 hours at cold or room temperature. This slow process leads to a product that tastes differently than coffee made in traditional hot brewing techniques or iced coffee.

Retailers such as Aldi (right) and Giant (below) carry a broad assortment of private label coffee to give shoppers lower-priced alternatives to national brands.

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CONTRACT MANUFACTURING GUIDE 2022

LEADERS IN CONTRACT MANUFACTURING

A RESOURCE GUIDE TO CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS IN FOOD, BEVERAGE AND NONFOOD

Acousin of private label manufacturing, contract manufacturing offers retailers the benefit of working with a supplier to execute based solely on the product specifications they set and own. It’s not the collaborative workflow seen within a private brand relationship, but contract manufacturing can fit retailers looking for bulk orders of items vs. innovation, for example.

Contract manufacturers also produce for consumer goods companies, executing the formula given. Contract manufacturers can also fill a need as a back up in the supply chain, called on to execute a private brand product already developed and executing the product to help fill orders.

Store Brands has pulled together a select list of contract manufacturers across multiple categories as a resource guide for future contract manufacturing projects.

Albaad USA Inc

129 South Technology Drive Reidsville, NC 27320 216-533-8295

brichman@us.albaad.com www.albaad.com

AWT Labels & Packaging, Inc.

600 Hoover St NE, Ste 500 Minneapolis, MN 55024 (612) 706-3700

marketing@awtlabelpack.com awtlabelpack.com/

retailsolutions@clubcoffee.com www.clubcoffee.com

SEE OUR ADVERTISEMENT PAGE 29

Club Coffee has been a leader in private label and co-manufactured coffee solutions for over 100 years. We are your trusted brand stewards, creating beverage solutions for mainstream brands, premium brands and everything in between.

Great Lakes Label 910 Metzgar Court NW Comstock Park, MI 49321 616-647-9880 info@greatlakeslabel.com www.greatlakeslabel.com

Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA

1370 Progress Road Suffolk, VA 23320 757-215-7300

corporatebrands@mzb-usa.com www.mzb-usa.com

SEE OUR ADVERTISEMENT PAGE 36

Massimo Zanetti Beverage is built on four generations of crafting the finest coffees in the world. We invite you to partner with us and leverage our vast knowledge of coffee, from field to cup, to develop a store brand coffee program that creates loyal customers.

California Milk Advisory Board

2156 W Grant Line Road, Suite 100 Tracy, CA 95377 209-690-8245

jdimataris@cmab.net www.realcaliforniamilk.com

The CMAB is a marketing board that is 100% Funded by California Dairy Families. Contact us for any sourcing needs. We do so through the use of the Real California Milk Seal, Television and Digital Ads, and In-Store and Digital Promotions, including Coupons and Demos. There is no cost associated with being a Real California Milk Seal partner.

Kruger North America Inc. 1010 Lake Street Suite 106 Oak Park, IL 60301 708 851-3670 info@krugernorthamerica.com www.krueger-group.com

SEE OUR ADVERTISEMENT PAGE 25

Club Coffee

55 Carrier Drive

Toronto, ON M9W 5V9 Canada 800-387-4367

The Kruger Group is one of the world’s leading family companies in the food industry with more than 5,000 employees and over $2 billion in revenue. The company is independent, globally networked and produces semi-finished products to finished products at 20 manufacturing facilities. Kruger supplies contract manufacturing in many categories such as chocolate confectionary products, sweet spreads and coffee capsules while continuing to grow its portfolio in the U.S. market.

Mold-Rite Plastics 30 North LaSalle Street Suite 2425 Chicago, IL 60602 518-561-1812 marketing@mrpcap.com www.mrpcap.com

SEE OUR ADVERTISEMENT PAGE 7

Mold-Rite Plastics is a leading provider of high-quality, rigid-plastic packaging components used every day by millions of consumers around the globe.

National Choice Bakery, Twin City Bagel Inc. 130 Hardman Avenue South South St. Paul, MN 55075 651-206-9280

gkrenner@nationalchoicebakery.com www.nationalchoicebakery.com

Simmons Pet Foods Inc.

316 North Hico Street Siloam Springs, AR 72761-2806 479-524-8151

pfcomments@simfoods.com www.simmonspetfood.com

SEE OUR ADVERTISEMENT PAGE 21

Simmons Pet Food is the leading North American private label and contract manufacturer of wet pet food. We source high-quality ingredients and use state-of-the-art manufacturing processes to produce premium and value-focused pet food. We supply top brands and retailers with products in a variety of formats, including cans, pouches, and cups. These operations are in Northwest Arkansas, Emporia, Kan, Dubuque, Iowa, and Ontario, Canada.

Superior Pack Group

2 Bailey Farm Road Harriman, NY 10926 845-534-1015 sales@superiorpackgroup.com www.superiorpackgroup.com

SEE OUR ADVERTISEMENT PAGE 2

From concept to completion, your product success depends on innovative packaging, well thought-out design, and efficient fulfillment services. Superior Pack Group does just that. Standard, complex, and everything in between, we provide the complete solution for packaging, warehousing & inventory management, and fulfillment. People in the food and foodservice industry, consumer packaged goods; industrial product packaging and many others rely on us to deliver their products to marketquickly, and accurately.

TreeHouse Private Brands

2021 Spring Road, Suite 600 Oak Brook, IL 60523 708-483-1300 info@treehousefoods.com www.treehousefoods.com

SEE OUR ADVERTISEMENT PAGE 19

TreeHouse Foods, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and distributor of private label packaged foods and beverages. We offer better-for-you, natural and organic products and hold a private label leadership position across many of our categories. We make high quality food and beverage products that our customers proudly sell to consumers across North America every day.

Snack Innovations

41 Ethel Road West Piscataway, NJ 08854 718-509-9366

www.snackinnovations.com

SEE OUR ADVERTISEMENT PAGE 23

The company produces a wide range of better-for-you snacks from a betterfor-you supplier. Snack Innovations specializes in popped technology and is a leader in savory snack products.

The Spice Lab

4000 N Dixie Highway Suite 100 Pompano Beach, FL 33064 561-868-0297 press@thespicelab.com spices.com/

The company is a manufacturer of exclusive, custom seasoning blends and barbecue rubs and is a familyowned, women-led business. The Spice Lab operates a 75,000-squarefoot facility that includes a design department, research and development kitchen, business offices and a product showroom. The facility’s six production lines enable the company to produce more than 25,000 units per day.

U.S. Alliance Paper

101 Heartland Boulevard Edgewood, NY 11717 631-254-3030

info@usalliancepaper.com www.usalliancepaper.com

SEE OUR ADVERTISEMENT PAGE 5

Headquartered on Long Island, N.Y., with additional plant and distribution facilities in Phoenix, Ariz., the company delivers household paper products at a competi tive advantage over national brands to its retailer customers with award-winning service, flexibility and reliability.

Verla International

463 Temple Hill Road New Windsor, NY 12553 845-561-2440 April@Verlainternational.com www.verlainternational.com

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