How Are Grocers Reacting to a Budget-Conscious Consumer?

Supermarket Guru Phil Lempert discussed the Kroger-Albertsons merger, the rise of private label and more relevant news for grocers.

Private Label Growth Pockets in Frozen Food

As consumers continue to stockpile frozen foods, retail operators are leveraging private labels to tap into that demand. Which frozen products are experiencing the most store brand sales growth? FI investigates.

Missing the Mark – Private Label is Failing at Target

Everything is cyclical. There’s a pendulum at play for any brand investing heavily in the private-label game – as more house brands populate shelves with similar names and cheaper prices than their national brand counterparts, public perception of the parent company may swing along with the pendulum; in other words, some consumers may begin to question what they’re compromising when their carts are full of private-label goods instead of the national brands they may have been buying last week, last quarter, or last year. So swings the pendulum as a blade of commerce.

AI-Driven CPG Platform Keychain Adds Former Whole Foods Exec to Key Role

CPG manufacturing platform Keychain has appointed Mitchell Madoff to Head of Retail Partnerships. The Foxtrot transplant and former Head of Whole Foods Private Label brings with him an extensive background in CPG and private label spanning over two decades.

Private Label Drives Summer Growth

For many major retailers, the latest quarterly results tell a familiar tale: consumers are fed up with high prices, spending less, and commodifying their loyalty by taking the best deal right now, regardless of whose logo adorns their grocery bag or shopping cart. 

Four Key Themes from the 2024 BMO Farm to Market Conference

At the 2024 BMO Farm to Market Conference, a few key themes emerged for the food, beverage, and agriculture sectors.

Consumer Shift: Private-Label Snacks See Unprecedented Popularity

For the first time in the report’s history, the top six brands – all of them – are store brands, from retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and Target.

Rated C for Candy – AMC Theatres Launches Private-Label Brand

The current line of Cinema Sweets launched in December and sales have been brisk. “We’re quite pleased,” he said, brandishing an R2-D2 popcorn holder from a Star Wars release years ago, “and it’s definitely been a good launch for us across more than 550 domestic theaters.”

Consumers Award Better-for-You in New Product Survey

Despite some titans of the pantry and cookie jar winning in their categories (Keebler’s Chips Deluxe Fudgy in the Cookie category; Dr. Pepper Strawberries & Cream in Soft Drink), better-for-you offerings not only abounded but won several snacking categories.

Unilever is a Cautionary Tale for U.S. Food Companies

On July 1, Hein Schumacher took over as chief executive officer of Unilever. His appointment followed a long search that brought him into the company from Dutch dairy co-op Royal FrieslandCampina, and his immediate mandate …

2023: The Year of Private Label Sets the Stage for 2024

Millennials grew up with store brands and they see them for what they are – a brand. Without a doubt, there is a transformation taking place in the private brand mainstream tier where products are moving away from strict equivalency to national brands and becoming true national brand alternatives.

Private Label Driving Alt-Dairy Innovation

The alt-dairy category experienced significant economic pressure in 2023, but private label performance was strong. Here are a few featured products from the November Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) show.

2024 Tech & Digital Trends in Restaurant & Retail, Part 3: The Loyalty-free Consumer

Monolithic allegiance has given way to the brands and companies that can provide the best, most convenient, and value-driven experiences, making every consumer a seven-headed hydra.

FI Fast Break audio news: Oct. 18, 2023

The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on the push for $25 per hour among employees at a major U.S. restaurant chain.

How Grocers Can Sway Cash-Strapped Consumers

Low-income shoppers are more cautious than ever when choosing a grocer—companies that can meet their needs have an opportunity to develop relationships that last a lifetime.

FI Fast Break audio news: July 12, 2023

The latest FI news podcast touches on private label’s huge year so far, plus the plant-based category’s sluggishness.

Private Label Can be a Stand-Out Category for Observant Grocers

Private label has become a major category for retailers: 59% of executives say they will continue to prioritize private label, while 21% say their private label efforts will be accelerated, according to a survey by …

Groundbreaking Consumer Insight: The Snack 50 Psychological Ranking

According to Circana Group and reported by The Wall Street Journal, nearly half of American consumers snack three times or more every day, a figure up 8% in the past two years. Last year, U.S. snack sales soared to over $180 billion, up 11% from the previous year.

Larger Manufacturers Are Winning the Price Wars

2022 was a fantastic year for larger food manufacturers, and there’s one clear reason why: the majors have been able to stress pricing.

Analysis: Why Private-label Product Sales are Surging

In trying to control household costs, consumers often turn to private-label products, which the Private Label Manufacturers Association reported grew at 11.3% — to a record $228.6 billion last year. “Lacking the marketing cost component …

FI Fast Break audio news: Feb. 22, 2023

The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on modern consumers’ increasing focus on value and affordability.

Retail Expert: Proper Forecasting Will be Vital in 2023

A top executive with S&P Global Ratings said proper forecasting will be imperative for retailers this year, as fading uncertainty enables new opportunities.

3 Keys to Discount Grocers’ Recent Success

Mainstream grocers can learn priceless lessons from successful off-price brands like Aldi, according to one industry analyst. Chief among those lessons is the value of growing private-label offerings.

Plant-Based Innovation Abounds at Private Label Trade Show

The Plant-Based Foods pavilion at the recent Private Label Trade Show hosted numerous exhibitors offering plant-based products to address consumer concerns about health, the environment, and animal welfare.

Why Building Loyalty is an Invaluable Sales Strategy for Grocers

Inflation means price-conscious shoppers are trading brand loyalty for promotion hunting habits, but smart grocers can still instill loyalty in their existing shoppers. In fact, grocers can even use this time as an opportunity to …

As Consumers Seek Meals with Homemade Feel, Retailers Can Capitalize

Store-brand baking mix sales are on the rise, as shoppers seek “from-scratch” taste without time-consuming work.

CEO: Recipes are Key to Private Label Success

Private label is arguably more important than ever in the face of inflation, and digital recipes tend to get those products onto consumers’ plates.

Building Private Label Value Beyond the Price Tag

As consumer spending buckles under the weight of inflation, store brands must work harder than ever to capture market share. In first quarter of 2022, consumers across all outlets were spending more but buying less …

Simplicity Is Key to Trader Joe’s Success

As Amazon leans into technology and major grocers like Kroger and Albertsons keep increasing square footage and introducing more product lines, Trader Joe’s is a throwback to simpler times. And that just may be the …

Consumers Diving into Frozen Desserts

Consumers’ perpetual sweet tooth for frozen treats continues to drive category sales, despite equally persistent supply chain challenges. In particular, the frozen novelty segment has been a powerhouse over the past few years, with April …

CPG Food Brand Loyalty Taking Hit Amid Rising Inflation

With inflation raging, consumers are beginning to cut costs on everyday CPG food items. And as a result, brand loyalty is taking a hit. Private-label brands, after two pandemic years in which they lost market …

Can Plant-Based Innovation Boost Store Brand Sales?

On the heels of a stagnant sales year for store brands, Amazon and Kroger are bulking up their private label portfolios with plant-based products. Is category innovation on the horizon? The Food Institute Podcast · …

Why Are Private Label Products Not Thriving Amidst Inflation?

Shoppers have historically gravitated to store brands when economic times get tough. But despite record-high prices, private label food and beverage sales continue to dip below their national counterparts at retail. Overall, store brand dollar …

What Does Gopuff’s Move Into Private Label Signal for Rapid Delivery?

Gopuff is launching its very own line of private label products. Bottled water will kick off the “Basically” brand, followed by other household items like cleaning products, paper products, and food storage, reported CNBC (Jan. …

Report: Convenience Store Growth in Q3 Boosted by Edible Products

The convenience store channel grew 7.7% in the 13 weeks ending September 26, outperforming the broader market for the third consecutive quarter, according to a new report from data analytics firm IRI. Stronger growth in …

Gellert Global Group Acquires Assets Of Mitsui Foods, Inc.

Elizabeth, NJ, Nov. 2, 2021/FINewswire/– The Gellert Global Group has purchased specific assets of Mitsui Foods, Inc., a subsidiary of Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc. Since 1953, Mitsui Foods has been importing fine grocery and …