The latest Times and Trends report from SymphonyIRI Group, titled “Reversal of Fortune: National Brands Pick Up Gains On Private Label,” shows that national brands have gained share on private label in 40 of the 100 largest consumer packaged goods category in the past two years.

Exhibitors and attendees of PLMA’s 2012 Private Label Trade Show may have found themselves looking upward for inspiration this year: Upstairs to the new Sky Hall exhibit area, that is.

Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. has reported that fiscal 2012 sales rose 5.8 percent to $4.54 billion, while fourth quarter sales climbed 3.7 percent to $1.14 billion.

Another solid quarter of earnings for Target has the retailer in a solid position for the holiday season, Planet Retail U.S. Research Director Sandy Skrovan said in a recent report.

Nutri-Force Nutrition, a private label manufacturer of nutraceuticals, vitamins and supplements, earned the South Florida Business Journal Entrepreneur Award recently, the company announced.

Just in time for the holidays, Walmart is giving a major refresh to its staple private label brand.

Nine of the 15 retailers analyzed by Chicago-based market research firm Market Track showed they had fewer private label promotions in ad circulars last week than the same time a year earlier.

Brand-led strategy the right approach for retailers in the future.

So many things that I could be talking about as we enter into November.

I am writing this month’s column while in Europe and thinking about the volcanic eruptions taking place around the world.