If North American retailers want to take the next step in their private label programs, they should look into super premium lines and targeted labels such as age-specific or ethnic private labels, Planet Retail Global Research Director Natalie Berg told a webinar audience this week.

Last week, Naperville, Ill.-based OfficeMax announced that it would expand its premium private label brands into national standalone brands.

West Des Moines, Iowa-based grocer Hy-Vee named Randy Edeker its new CEO, effective Friday. Edeker will replace Ric Jurgens, who will retire Friday after 43 years with the company, an announcement made in December.

HanesBrands, a Winston Salem, N.C.-based apparel maker, announced Wednesday that it would leave the private label world, divesting its Outer Banks house brand and working with U.S. wholesale screen-print customers on transition plans.

Phoenix, Ariz.-based Sprouts Farmers Market closed its buyout of Sunflower Farmers Market this week, with the combined company scheduled to be operated under the Sprouts banner.

Touting the best of both worlds, Sunbury, Pa.-based Weis Markets this month announced it would introduce five new flavors of its private label ice cream, flavored with some of Tastykake’s most popular products.

New research on private label sales by Ft. Lee, N.J.-based Perception Research Services shows that for the first time, cookies and salty snacks have moved into the top tier of regularly purchased private label products.

Two-thirds of the total number of retailers saw decreases in their Private Label advertising this week, when compared with a year ago, Market Track exclusively told PLBuyer’s eReport.

Nielsen Co. Senior Vice President Todd Hale kicked off the inaugural PLBuyer conference Wednesday morning by telling the audience that multicultural audiences presented a major opportunity for private label retailers and suppliers.

Quick trips are very important for retailers to consider as they represent almost two-thirds of all shopping trips, Terry Lee, founder of Private Brand Advisors told attendees.