Maintaining low prices is important to Fresh & Easy. In fact, as the economy worsened in 2009 and consumers demanded more value offerings from stores, the retailer expanded its national-brand-equivalent (NBE) tier.
With U.S. private label penetration at an all-time high, retailers need to make this the year of own brand marketing, says Kathie Canning, editor in chief.
Randy Hofbauer, managing editor, takes a look at how retailers could make the grocery shopping experience more enjoyable for consumers who currently dread the task.
Guest columnist Ted Mininni says retailers should think about leveraging their brands to deliver quality at a premium level, innovative product features and segmented offerings that are most relevant to the customers in their markets.
No Naptime for Private Brands There is no rest for retailers selling private label diapers and training pants. Moms might be showing strong loyalty to store brand products in this category, but retailers are working awfully hard to attract newcomer loyalty.
by RandyHofbauer
Getting Saucy Whether consumers are mixing up a big bowl of pasta or basting a slab of ribs, one thing is for certain: The sauce is the boss. And as more consumers ditch the restaurant scene to take shelter in their kitchens, they’re turning to store shelves for sauces and marinades that provide a restaurant-style experience at home.
by RandyHofbauer
Nurture Those Nibbles It’s no secret that North American consumers love to snack, and often — on fare ranging from a pre-dinner nibble to a mini-meal between breakfast and lunch. And with the economy forcing many folks to skimp on restaurant visits, easy-to-prepare frozen snacks and appetizers only are growing in popularity.
by KathieCanning
Paper Chase As fans of “The Office” might recall, Michael Scott, the bumbling branch manager of the fictional Dunder Mifflin paper enterprise, once promised “limitless paper for a paperless world” in a commercial promoting his company. But here in the real world, you’ll still find the demand for paper strong — particularly outside the office environment in the consumer paper products space.
One of a Kind Although you’ll still find a slew of national-brand-equivalent products on retailers’ shelves, today’s store brands are implementing a major reroute of their road to success. And that new route is leading retailers into an exciting new territory — private label programs that set them apart from the national brands and retail competitors, in areas ranging from strategy and product development to packaging and marketing.
by KathieCanning
Fountain of Youth In a culture obsessed with youth and beauty, few of us want to look older than our years — or even want to look our true age. Most of us want to retain a youthful appearance for as long as possible. That reality is creating a mega-market for anti-aging skincare products.
