Private label packaged cold cuts are facing dual pressure from national brands fiercely cutting prices in their battle for market share at the same time that commodity prices are rising, pinching margins, processors told PLBuyer Monday as they exhibited at PLMA's 2010 trade show.
While major national brands have been pushing tub packaging for cold cuts in recent years, private label processors are trying to devise alternate packages that use less materials and are more sustainable.
When it comes to popular sellers, ham turkey and bologna remain the category kings but some are experimenting with new flavors to add variety to the category.