Seven of 14 major U.S. food retailers decreased their private label promotions in the third week of October, compared with their levels of PL promotions in the same one-week period last year, found an exclusive survey of retailer print ad circulars done for PLBuyer’s eReport by Chicago-based research firm Market Track.

Last week, 11 of the 14 retailers showed a decrease in PL promotions.

Cincinnati, Ohio-based Kroger saw the biggest decrease in private label promotions in the week examined, Market Track found.

Of the seven retailers to show an increase in private label promotions, Pleasanton, Calif.-based Safeway showed the highest level of promotions for the second week in a row.

Market Track’s analysis reflects regional versioning and market specific differences in circulars. This is accomplished through an extensive collections process, including physically obtaining the ads from the various markets in which they are distributed. In instances where retailers send additional circulars to a limited number of markets, Market Track’s information reflects these nuances to give a view of what is happening nationally