Milk accounted for about $15.6 billion in sales and refrigerated juice/drinks almost $6 billion in 2012, according to SymphonyIRI Group data.

Sometimes it might come off as a little cheesy. But there’s no joking around about the strength of private label sales in the cheese category today.

Between coffee and tea, Chicago-based SymphonyIRI Group said the categories brought in more than $11 billion in sales in 2012.

As National School Breakfast Week occurs this month (March 4-8), undoubtedly many parents will contemplate how important breakfast is for their children and themselves.

PLBuyer’s 2013 Food Hot List includes food and beverage categories that saw dollar sales across supermarkets, drugstores, mass market retailers, military commissaries and select club and dollar retail chains increase at least 10 percent during the 52 weeks ending Dec. 30, 2012.

Private label foods have made steady inroads around the perimeters of stores, in areas from deli counters to seafood.

Private label beer was on pace to achieve a second consecutive record sales year, according to data from Chicago-based SymphonyIRI Group in a report titled “2012 Mid-Year Beer Category & Craft Segment Review.”

Eggs, butter and yogurt continuing to hold or gain in share and sales against national brands.

Category expected to regain sales as U.S. economy improves.

Mintel forecasts 26 percent drop in private label juice sales by 2016, before inflation.