Retailers recognized for store brand innovation

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Sweet potato pancake mix from Giant Eagle, cauliflower-crust pizza from Albertsons and potstickers from Amazon are among nearly 100 Salute to Excellence award winners for store brand innovation announced at PLMA’s 2023 Private Label Trade Show.

Created in 1986, the annual awards recognize outstanding food and nonfood products introduced within the last year by supermarkets, drug stores, mass merchandisers, convenience stores, online retailers, wholesalers and more.

This year, close to 750 product entries were submitted by 53 North American retailers.

“PLMA is thrilled to celebrate the winning retailers for their commitment to store brand product and packaging excellence,” said Peggy Davies, PLMA’s president. “From innovations in flavors and ingredients to vitamin-enriched health and wellness products, the Salute to Excellence award winners underscore the important role of store brands.”

Submissions were sampled and evaluated by a panel of professional and consumer judges on several criteria, including taste, product concept, packaging, and value for money.

Among the categories and winners:

 Gluten-Free Goodness:

• Open Nature Cauliflower Crust Garlic Chicken Alfredo Pizza from Albertsons Cos.

• Nice! Gluten-Free Vanilla Crème Cookies, Walgreens.

Specialty Sauces, Rubs and Condiments:

• Lowes Foods Premium Brown Bag “Truffle Your Feathers” Black Garlic Truffle Sauce, Lowes Foods.

• Great Value Blood Orange Balsamic Glaze with Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, Walmart.

• Bowl & Basket Specialty Smokey Candied Bacon Sriracha Rub, Wakefern Food Corp. 

Fancy Breakfast Foods:

• Nature’s Basket Sweet Potato Pancake and Waffle Mix, Giant Eagle.

• Thrive Market Organic Infused Maple Syrup, Warm Pumpkin Spice, Thrive Market.

• Good & Gather Blueberry Muffins with Zucchini and Oats, Target Corp.

Global Tastes:

• Aplenty Asian-Style Chicken and Vegetable Potstickers, Amazon.

• Yesway Chamoy Chili Peach Rings (candy), Yesway Convenience Stores.

• Naturally Better Organic Mexican-Style Street Corn-Flavored Corn Chips, Southeastern Grocers. 

• Crav’n Flavor Single-Serve Miso Chicken Ramen Soup Bowl, Topco Associates LLC. 

Wellness Cleanses/Powders:

• Regenerative Organic Liver Cleanse, Sprouts Farmers Market.

• 365 by Whole Foods Market Effervescent Vitamin C Powder, Kiwi-Strawberry, Whole Foods Market.

PLMA said that more than 1,600 exhibitors signed up for this year’s show, being held over three days here at the Donald E, Stephens Convention Center.