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The article discusses how manufacturers are fighting the negative image of frozen meals by developing premium lines of meals and cobranding with popular restaurant chains. It cites growth opportunities for multi-serve frozen meals with the single-serve frozen meals having the largest part of the segment and multi-serve frozen meals subsegment as the only one to post overall sales gains since 2008. While unique, on-trend store brand frozen meals and entrees make for a good start, retailers still have to get shoppers to notice them.

The article discusses the role of merchandising in attracting consumer's attention. It points out that effective merchandising techniques help make the products more accessible in the store. It indicates the mistake of retailers in not using all the tools available to them in the store such as signage, at-shelf couponing and advertising and their failure to take consumer demographics into the product development plan. It cites the connection between product design and merchandising which retailers underestimate.

The article features Target Corp., a retail firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company is transforming many of its general-merchandise into the new PFresh format. According to Chief Executive Officer Gregg Steinhafel, they will open 21 new stores in the U.S. and implement the small urban format of the company called CityTarget for branches on densely populated sites. Annette Miller, senior vice president of grocery for Target, emphasized that each of the retailer's owned brands aims to appeal to Target's core guest.

The article emphasizes the importance for grocers to develop products that meet the unique needs of young-at-heart baby boomers in the U.S. It offers information on the purchasing power of baby boomers. It discusses the characteristics and the wants and needs of baby boomers and explores their age- and gender-related differences. It suggests capitalizing on products that cater to anti-aging and weight loss. It describes the interest of boomers on health-related foods, according to health studies from Catalina Marketing.

The article emphasizes the importance for the grocery trade to have the right forecasting strategies and tools to avoid out-of-stocks and lost sales or excess inventory. Brian Kilcourse, managing partner of RSR Research LLC, explains why the demand forecasting process needs to improve to help grocers achieve their goals. W. Frank Dell II, president of Dellmart & Co., relates the procurement issues facing private labels. It explores the role of a well-managed private label program in successful forecasting.

The article features the retail store chain Save-A-Lot. Based in Earth City, Missouri, the company aims to offer customers money and time savings and its store brands are deemed critical to its low-cost proposition. According to Mark Kotcher, director of brand marketing and design at Save-A-Lot, exclusive brands comprise about 75% of the total stock-keeping units (SKUs). Founded by Bill Moran in 1977, Save-A-Lot stores have established customer loyalty through its lower priced products displayed in small, easy-to-navigate spaces.

The article discusses the new food safety initiatives and technology for store brand items. Arthur Rumpf of Specialized Technology Resources Inc. has observed that retailers traditionally depend on auditing, training, qualification and testing programs to achieve the highest levels of food safety. Vieira Traynor believes that retailers must determine the potential safety risks in the supply chain. A discussion on the Global Food Safety Initiative is also given.

The article promotes the practice of sourcing store brand products from suppliers among retailers. David Spectre, a founding partnerof Israel-based 4C, claimed that people are becoming more aware of environmental issues, and that investing in environmental schemes is also a strategic investment. Bruce Woodlief of Clearwater Paper relates that they make sure their sources are Forest Stewardship Council certified because the certification promotes forests. The Environmental Responsibility internal auditing program of Heartland Sweeteners is described.

The article discusses ways on how retailers could communicate to consumers their environmental initiatives behind store brands and eventually win over eco-motivated shoppers. It highlights the role that packaging and packaging information could provide to retailers in communicating the environmental impact of each product. Information is also provided on how loyalty cards could pave the way in tracking and communicating with sustainability-minded shoppers.

The article discusses ways on how retailers could improve sales of store brand oils, dressings and vinegars. It emphasizes the need for retailers to focus on cleaner ingredient statements, unique flavors and other differentiators for store brands to take the lead. The article also highlights how cross-merchandising the products with other categories could drive growth.

The article discusses how the investment by retailers in smart in-store messaging aimed at store brands could help attract buyers. It highlights the effectiveness of shelf-edge communication as a marketing tool for private labels. The importance of clearly conveying the product's value proposition is also explored.

The article announces the winners of the first "Progressive Grocer" Store Brand Achievement Awards, including Best New Product or Product Line award to Kroger Co., Better-for-You Product or Product Line award to Target Corp. and Best Product Re-launch or Revamp to Duane Reade.

The article offers information on private label suppliers that won the Supplier Pacesetters Award presented by the "Progressive Grocer" publication, including Associated Hygienic Products LLC, Daymon Worldwide and John B. Sanfilippo & Son Inc.

The article cites some environment-friendly store brand packaging practices of retailers in the U.S. According to Kevin Dooley of Sustainability Consortium, options for store brand packaging include the use of less packaging material, recycled packaging material or recycled packaging material. The benefit of using reusable fiberboard in the products of MillerCoors and Mead Johnson Nutrition is explained.

The article focuses on trends in the pasta and rice categories of the U.S. retail market. Mike Cunningham of Dakota Growers Pasta Co. explains the reason for increases in unit sales of better-for-you pasta subsegment. The nutritional value of Super Pasta from Wegmans Food Markets Inc. is highlighted. Mintel International recommends ways for retailers and manufacaturers to better communicate the benefits of existing whole grain options to consumers.

The article looks at the market performance of the coffee category of the U.S. retail grocery sector. According to the National Coffee Association's "2010 National Coffee Drinking Trends Study," the coffee preparation at home continues to rise despite a slowdown in dollar and unit sales growth within food, drug and mass merchandise outlets. Nielsen Co. reported increases in dollar and unit sales for the total tea category during the 52 weeks ending August 7, 2010.

The article discusses the incorporation of store brands into the corporate social responsibility programs of retailers. The definition of corporate social responsibility according to the World Council for Sustainable Development is given. The purpose of the social responsibility web site launched by Walgreen Co. is explained. Jim Joseph of Lippe Taylor and author of "The Experience Effect" explained why many retailers are boosting their activity and communications related to socially conscious initiatives.

The article discusses the growth of store brand frozen and canned fruit and vegetables in the U.S. as of 2010. Dollar and unit sales of frozen fruit increased by 5.4% and 6.0%, respectively, during a 52-week period ending July 10. Mintel new product expert Lynn Dornblaser stated that new store brand launches accounted for almost 50% of all new product introductions within the category in 2009. The importance of packaging enhancements for continued growth of store brands is tackled.

The article focuses on the status of store brand categories in the U.S. for a 52-week period ending June 12, 2010. Private label dollar share increased by 17.2%, according to The Nielsen Co. senior vice president Todd Hale. The top store brand categories in terms of sales include frozen dessert cakes, prunes and fruit salad. The factors that contribute to store brand growth include the focus of consumers on price and the increased commitment of retailers to boost growth through marketing.

The article focuses on the retailer Publix Super Markets based in Lakeland, Florida and its store brand program. Media and community relations director Maria Brous states that the success of the company is attributed to its commitment to customer service. Chief executive officer (CEO) Ed Crenshaw asserted that the hard work and dedication of Publix associates contributed to its improved operating performance. The perception of customers about the packaging and quality of Publix products and the challenges being faced by the company are tackled.

The article focuses on consumer demand for added health benefits and new flavors in non-alcoholic beverages in 2010. Sarah Theodore of Mintel identifies ready-to-drink (RTD) tea and enhanced water as potentially lucrative areas for store brands. Tim Greene of Century Foods International believes that the protein-based beverages will be a key driver of the overall alternative beverages segment in five years. Matt Walker of Cliffstar Corp., however, advises not to promote alternative beverages at too low price.

The article offers ideas for retailers on drawing consumers to store-brand condiments. Alfons van Heerwaarden of Parnassia Food notes the benefit of a complete private label program and emphasizes the importance of the right packaging. Mike Hackbarth of Fremont Co. recognizes a shift from specialty branded organic items to private label organic items. Tom Vierhile of Datamonitor points out the elimination of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and replacement with honey and other sweeteners.

The article focuses on the availability of healthier options of store brand foods and beverages as consumers demand for healthier product choices, along with environmentally responsible packaging and corporate sustainability initiatives. For Sharon Glass of Catalina Marketing, consumers demand for obesity-related solutions and lower-sodium products. In terms of packaging, ALDI Inc. included at-a-glance guideline daily amounts on its own brand products while Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market features nutritional labels on certain healthy brands.

The article features Kroger Co., the largest traditional grocery retailer in the U.S. Despite reporting an increase in sales for the last two quarters, the retailer posted a drop in profits for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010 due to lower retailer prices. Rodney McMullen, Kroger president and chief operating officer (COO), also states that the company saw no decline in the popularity of its corporate brands.

The article focuses on store brand opportunities in prepackaged deli-style meat and cheese arena for retailers willing to invest in innovation. Retailers have to look at less-expensive products, more variety and more frequent sales as they jumpstart store brand sales in prepackaged deli meats and cheese. Consumers are more demanding about store brand quality and are expecting a retailer's private label to be of the same quality as national brands. Demos and sampling are believed to be the best way to educate consumers prepackaged deli-style cheese.

The article describes the state of the alternative sweetener segment. Mintel International's report titled "Sugar and Sweeteners--US" revealed that some consumers avoided sweet stuff due to the growing rate of obesity and related illnesses, and the negative publicity about high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has damaged the sales of non-HFCS products too because both items are not distinguished from each other. Among the featured alternatives to the sweeteners are NOW Foods' enzyme-treated organic stevia extract and Archer Farms' low-fat latte products.

The article probes into business opportunities offered by the soup segment. According to the Nielsen Co., the dollar and unit sales of shelf-stable bouillon, canned chili, canned soup and shelf-stable stews subsegments, as well as for dry soup mixes and bases, during the 52 weeks ending December 25, 2010, posted declines, mostly on the shelf-stable side and this was attributed by Mintel International to competition from other convenient foods. David Browne, senior analyst at Mintel,mentioned the current interest in claims related to health and wellness.

The article focuses on how developments in radio frequency identification (RFID) technology could benefit retailers' store brand programs. According to Sahir Anand, vice president and principal analyst for the Aberdeen Group, the technology can help retailers keep track of products and implement automated data collection on the store brand while improving inventory accuracy. Ken Lynch, director of marketing for ThingMagic Inc., mentioned that RFID can also accelerate data capture across production and distribution cycles, avoiding errors and delays.

The article looks at the personal-care sanitizer and household disinfectant segment of the retail trade. The Nielsen Co. reported that hand sanitizers in the U.S. rose by 70.5% in dollar sales during the peak of the H1N1 flu, while the Global Industry Analysts Inc. forecasts sales in the U.S. hand sanitizer market to exceed 401 million U.S. dollars by 2015. Rody Mehdizadeh of U.S. Nonwovens Corp. thinks that retailers must invest in brand opportunities like introducing premium single-use packages and smaller-size pouches.

The article offers healthful formulations and strategies for the frozen snack and appetizer segment. Keith Chen, president of Culinary Destinations Ltd., believes that the value and premium tiers for new product development must be attended to by retailes. James Johns of Day Lee Foods Inc. pointed out the improvements in technology used for frozen food processing. Mike Ryan of Tandoor Chef/Deep Foods Inc. relates that they made every product microwavable and showed the health benefits of the items on the packaging.

The article looks at the market performance of the feminine hygiene segment of the U.S. retail market. The impact of changing demographics on growth of the segment is explained. According to the May 2010 report of Mintel international, the sanitary protection and feminine hygiene subsegment have posted gains since 2004. The effect of weak economy on the purchasing behavior of women is also explained

The article focuses on anti-aging products which customers have down traded to less-expensive products. It points out that facial anti-aging products outsell body and anti-aging products and consumer preference varies according to geographical region. It indicates that men tend to gravitate toward multi-functioning products that clean and moisturize while women look for products geared toward a specific purpose. It cites the opportunity for retailers to develop their own lines of premium anti-aging skincare products sold at a value price.

The article enumerates some of the most critical questions grocery retailers are expected to ask their store brand suppliers when it comes to the issue of environmental responsibility. One deals with the scope of environmental commitment of a supplier. Another focuses on assessment and implementation of environmental standards. Other issues relate to carbon footprint, carbon neutrality and sustainable, environment-friendly packaging.

The article addresses the rise in sales of fruit and nut products. Mintel's report "Nuts and Dried Fruit--U.S." reveals that the U.S. nuts and dried fruit market expanded a 20% between 2004 and 2008 partly due to the rising consumer interest in healthful snacking options. Dan Stanick, director of sales for Cashew Farm/Dan-D-Pak, adds that consumers are also showing interest in gluten-free foods and green foods.

The article discusses the consumer acceptance of store brand paper products. Philip Shaoul, director of business development for Global Tissue Group attributes the strength and growth of the store brand side of the sector to the recession. He believes that national brands will have trouble winning back these consumers without promotion, coupons, and incentives to buy.

The article examines the increase in the sales within the frozen and refrigerated pizza segment. According to Bill Patterson, senior consumer analyst for Mintel, pizza became a favorite among cash-strapped consumers who decided to avoid restaurant visits and tried to prepare their own food. He also reveals that store brands accounted for a quarter of pizza product introductions in 2009.

The author focuses on the emergence of consumers' preference for wellness and family as a key trend in retailing in the U.S., based on the result of a research document from the Food Marketing Institute (FMI). This is supported by a March Harris Poll, that shows most consumers are aware of key nutritional facts and diet management. The author encourages retailers to combine nutrition education programs with value messaging to maximize return from this trend.

The article discusses efforts by the U.S. Food Administration Agency (FDA) to step up its scrutiny of the dietary supplements industry with emphasis on swift enforcement and less warnings. It cites the Nutrition Keys front-of-packaging nutrition labeling initiative which allows brand owners to display as many as two nutrients but with the potential of misleading shoppers. It indicates that consumers today want more information about their food and seek guidance in the health and wellness arena to make an informed decision.

The author reflects on the developments in RETAIL industry as she celebrates her 25th wedding anniversary. She relates that retailers are now using technologies to market their stores and store brand products, and have their own websites and social network accounts. However, she realizes that technologies also complicate marketing strategies because not all consumers are interested with Twitter or smartphone. She believes that retailers must balance the old and new strategies to send the marketing messages to everyone.

The author urges U.S. food retailers to develop easy-to-understand initiatives to encourage shoppers to make meaningful health-minded changes instead of relying on federal dietary guidelines. She relates the reaction of food companies, industry associations and health groups to the "2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health aimed at helping consumers make informed, health-promoting decisions related to food and beverage intake. She relates the prevalence of obesity in the U.S.

The article focuses on the need for merchandisers to go beyond pricing in their offerings. A SymphonyIRI Group publication titled "Merchandising Trends: Achieving Differentiation with a Shopper-Centric Approach," emphasized on the need for merchandise retailers to direct customers toward non-price-related merchandising to achieve continued improvement in 2011. According to Robert Tomei, president, consumer & shopper insights for SymphonyIRI Group, there is a need for innovative merchandising strategies that integrate feature, display and price.

The author discusses the state of consumer spending in the U.S. She mentions the signs of improving consumer confidence in 2010, including the National Retail Federation survey which noted that the average shopper spent 365.34 U.S. dollars over the 2010 Black Friday weekend, but notes that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicated a 9.8% unemployment rate in November 2010. With this, she believes that retailers must capture consumer insights and offer products relevant to consumers, and suppliers must improve assortment and marketing strategies.

The author comments on the continued transformation of the retail industry in the U.S. as evident at recent Private Label Manufacturers Association's (PLMA) Private Label Show. She is happy with the fact that many food, drug and mass merchandise retailers began to realize that higher-quality and unique store brands could help set their stores apart from competitors.

The author talks about stock-keeping unit (SKU) rationalization and shelf space optimization. She believes that more shoppers are focusing their attention on shelf space optimization. She relates how a local store is effective in explaining to its shoppers the reasons behind its revamped SKU rationalization. She believes that the more adept the retailer at communicating changes in shelf space layout, the less painful the process will be for them and their consumers.

The author emphasizes the importance of making improvements in the packaging of products. She cites that she is annoyed by plastic wrappings that encase frozen foods tightly. She notes that she would be satisfied with a packaging design that is easy to use and does not compromise product quality. She advises retailers to enhance their packaging as it is critical to store brands.

The author talks about the need to adapt to the daily changes within the retail industry. She notes that many U.S. consumers radically changed their buying habits as a result of the recession. She discusses the stand of SymphonyIRI Group's Thom Blischok on factors that influence shopping decisions at the 2010 Private Brands Summit of the Food Marketing Institute. She expresses concern about the risk of failure related to performing any or all of the tasks involved in multi-tasking as highlighted in the summit.

The author discusses the post-recession growth prospects of store brands. According to a survey conducted by Ipsos Marketing, 91% of U.S. consumers believed store brands were as good as or better than national brands at offering products that meet their needs. The Nielsen Co. also reveals that higher income families comprise the fastest-growing segment for store brands.