Feeling lost?
Why not try these options:
  • Search
  • Browse
or
Call us on

The Private Label Food and Drink Consumer - US - December 2010

The Private Label Food and Drink Consumer - US - December 2010

Private label food and drink products have garnered more attention in the media, as well as the business community, in recent years in part because of the impressive growth across multiple categories. Consumers are buying private label food and drink products in greater numbers, typically because these products represent better value irrespective of the price point at which the consumer is buying. While price is an important driver of private label performance, it is also evident that the quality of the products have improved in recent years, and consumers increasingly recognize that “store brands” are often of equal, or even superior quality, to comparable nationally branded products. Moreover, many retailers of private label products have developed elegant and intriguing packaging that has helped to position their products as premium, and perhaps alleviate—or even eliminate— the stigma associated with “generic” products....

£2,534.48

Private label food and drink products have garnered more attention in the media, as well as the business community, in recent years in part because of the impressive growth across multiple categories. Consumers are buying private label food and drink products in greater numbers, typically because these products represent better value irrespective of the price point at which the consumer is buying. While price is an important driver of private label performance, it is also evident that the quality of the products have improved in recent years, and consumers increasingly recognize that “store brands” are often of equal, or even superior quality, to comparable nationally branded products. Moreover, many retailers of private label products have developed elegant and intriguing packaging that has helped to position their products as premium, and perhaps alleviate—or even eliminate— the stigma associated with “generic” products.

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of private label food and drinks in the U.S. More specifically, the report addresses the following questions:

  • How are macro-level economic trends impacting private label sales in the U.S.?
  • How have sales of private label food and drink fluctuated in recent years?
  • How are retailers promoting their private label lines inside and outside the store?
  • What types of products are some of the leading companies developing?
  • How do consumers view private label products, and how have those views changed in recent years?
  • To what degree do consumers view the quality of private label products compared to national brands?

Scope and Themes


What you need to know


Definition


Data sources


Sales data

Consumer survey data

Advertising creative

Abbreviations and terms


Abbreviations

Terms

Executive Summary


Weak economy and improved quality of offerings drive growth


Innovation and value drive strong performance at some retailers


Private label strongest in staples


Many unable to differentiate between private label and national brands


Overall, most feel that private label quality is equal to national brand


Private labels increasing share of market


Baking, bread and bakery

Cheese, dairy and eggs

Canned foods

Fish and meat

Jams, jellies and refrigerated spreads

Oils, dressing and condiments

Frozen foods and frozen desserts

Rice, pasta, snacks, chips and nuts

Drinks

Insights and Opportunities


Offer in-store samples to demonstrate quality of private label products


Provide ways for customers to engage with the product


Provide products that help consumers achieve healthy living goals


Figure 1: Eating healthier than last year, by household income, October 2010

Provide recipes that include private label products to entice home chefs


Figure 2: Cooking more at home than last year, by household income, October 2010

Figure 3: Consumer Price Index for key consumer markets, June 2008-10

Highlight a money back guarantee on private label purchases


Inspire Insights


Trend: Experience is All


Market Size and Trends


Sales growth accelerates in response to recession


Figure 4: FDMx private label food and drink sales and forecast, at current prices, 2005-15

Figure 5: FDMx private label food and drink sales and forecast, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2005-15

Fan-chart forecast


Figure 6: FDMx private label food and drink sales and forecast at current prices, (2005-15) with worst and best cases

Bakery and dairy lag other sectors in PL growth


Figure 7: FDMx sales of private label food and drink, by category, 2004-10

Figure 8: Year-over-year change in FDMx sales of private label, by category, 2004-10

Figure 9: Indexed growth of FDMx sales of private label food and drink, by category, 2004-10

Market Drivers


Key points


Macroeconomic conditions contribute to demand for private label options


Figure 10: Unemployment and underemployment rate in the U.S., January 2007-November 2010

Figure 11: Median household income in inflation-adjusted dollars, 1999-2009

Figure 12: Spending more time looking for sales and bargains than last year, by household income, October 2010

Confidence wanes; most spending more time looking for bargains


Figure 13: Consumer Sentiment, January 2007-October 2010

Healthy living trend driving performance of some private labels


Figure 14: Incidence of presently watching/controlling diet, May 2004-March 2009

Figure 15: Attributes diet-watchers look for in food, 2006 and 2009

Private label products often seen as comparable to national brands


Marketing Strategies


Key points


Overview


Summary of in-store observations


Safeway: SELECT


Social media

Television

Figure 16: Safeway Thanksgiving television ad, 2010

Circulars

Figure 17: Safeway circular ad, meat, 2010

Figure 18: Safeway circular ad, bakery, 2010

Figure 19: Safeway circular ad, SELECT prepared meals, 2010

Figure 20: Safeway circular ad, SELECT chocolate bars, 2010

Target: Archer Farms


Customer quotes from target.com

Television

Figure 21: Target television ad, 2010

Figure 22: Target television ad, 2010

Whole Foods: 365 Everyday Value


Customer quotes from wholefoodsmarket.com

Kmart: Smart Sense


Kmart solicits customer feedback

Leading Companies — Who’s Getting It Right?


Key points


Combination of innovative premium and value-oriented labels drive growth


Safeway: SELECT


Whole Foods: 365 Everyday Value


Trader Joe’s


Costco: Kirkland Signature


Private label activity

Costco on Facebook

Target: Archer Farms


Walmart: Great Value


Supervalu: Shopper’s Value


Consumer Likelihood of Buying Private Label Products


Key points


Many purchase private label bread, dairy and packaged meal elements


Figure 23: Likelihood of buying store brands, by food category, September 2010

Figure 24: Likelihood of buying store brands, by drink type, September 2010

Private label purchase incidence compared to last year


Figure 25: Private label purchase incidence compared to last year, by product category, September 2010

Baking, Bread and Bakery


Key points


Products baked on premises among most popular private label products


Figure 26: Incidence of household use of name brand vs. store brand, baking, bread and bakery, April 2009-June 2010

Figure 27: Trends in household use of store brand baking, bread and bakery, 2003-10

Sales of sweeteners skyrocketed between 2005 and 2010


Figure 28: FDMx sales of baking, bread and bakery, by private label and national brand, with share and growth of private label share, 2010*

The demographics of buying store brand baking, bread and bakery


Figure 29: Incidence of usually buying store brand baking, bread and bakery, by household income, September 2010

Flavored oatmeal becoming more common; Family Dollar going gourmet


Cheese, Dairy and Eggs


Key points


Majority show preference for private label eggs


Figure 30: Incidence of household use of name brand vs store brand, cheese, dairy and eggs, April 2009-June 2010

Increased usage of private label cheese drives significant sales gains


Figure 31: Trends in household use of store brand cheese, dairy and eggs, 2003-10

Figure 32: FDMx sales of cheese, dairy and eggs, by private label and national brand, with share and growth of private label share, 2010*

The demographics of buying store brand cheese and other dairy


Figure 33: Incidence of usually buying store brand cheese and other dairy, by age, September 2010

Figure 34: Incidence of usually buying store brand cheese and other dairy, by household income, September 2010

Variety of new dairy products coming online


Canned Foods


Key points


Many still hesitant to use private label canned products


Figure 35: Incidence of household use of name brand vs store brand, canned foods, April 2009-June 2010

Increased use of canned tomatoes and broth reflects cooking trend, drives sales


Figure 36: Trends in household use of store brand canned foods, 2003-10

Figure 37: FDMx sales of canned foods, by private label and national brand, with share and growth of private label share, 2010*

Demographics of private label soup, packaged fruit and vegetable users


Figure 38: Incidence of usually buying store brand soup, packaged fruit and vegetables, by key demographics, September 2010

More premium soups with aseptic packaging


Fish and Meat


Key points


Private label meat and seafood sales are rising


Figure 39: Incidence of household use of name brand vs store brand, fish and meat, April 2009-June 2010

Private label seafood sales on the rise as sales of frankfurters decline


Figure 40: FDMx sales of fish and meat, by private label and national brand, with share and growth of private label share, 2010*

Few significant differences between demographic segments


Figure 41: Incidence of usually buying store brand fish, meat and poultry, by key demographics, September 2010

Value-priced premium options becoming more common


Jams, Jellies and Refrigerated Spreads


Key point


Consumers stick with name brand peanut butter, even during recession


Figure 42: Incidence of household use of name brand vs store brand, jams, jellies and refrigerated spreads, April 2009-June 2010

Figure 43: Trends in household use of store brand jams, jellies and refrigerated spreads, 2003-2010

Figure 44: FDMx sales of jams, jellies and refrigerated spreads, by private label and national brand, with share and growth of private label share, 2010*

Lower income and older consumers more likely to buy private label


Figure 45: Incidence of usually buying store brand peanut butter, jams, jellies and preserves, by key demographics, September 2010

More standard and premium options introduced in 2010


Oils, Dressing and Condiments


Key points


Though brand name ketchup use quite high, many use store brands


Figure 46: Incidence of household use of name brand vs store brand, oils, dressing and condiments, April 2009-June 2010

Most consumers remained loyal to brand names during recession


Figure 47: Incidence of usually buying store brand mayonnaise and dressing, by key demographics, September 2010

FDMx sales growth driven by cooking trend


Figure 48: Trends in household use of store brand oils, dressing and condiments, 2003-2010

Figure 49: FDMx sales of oils, dressing and condiments, by private label and national brand, with share and growth of private label share, 2010*

New products designed for those making inexpensive meals at home


Frozen Foods and Frozen Desserts


Key points


Ice cream and frozen vegetables popular private label frozen foods


Figure 50: Incidence of household use of name brand vs. store brand, frozen foods and desserts, April 2009-June 2010

Figure 51: FDMx sales of frozen foods and frozen desserts, by private label and national brand, with share and growth of private label share, 2010*

Low income households key for PL frozen


Figure 52: Incidence of usually buying store brand frozen foods and desserts, by household income, September 2010

More premium and ethnic SKUs come online in 2009 and 2010


Rice, Pasta, Snacks, Chips and Nuts


Key points


One in four buy private label pasta


Figure 53: Incidence of household use of name brand vs store brand, rice, pasta, snacks, chips and nuts, April 2009-June 2010

Staples used to cook meals at home drive category growth


Figure 54: Trends in household use of store brand rice, pasta, snacks, chips and nuts, 2003-10

Figure 55: FDMx sales of rice, pasta, snacks, chips and nuts, by private label and national brand, with share and growth of private label share, 2010*

Private label appeals most to households with incomes below $50K


Figure 56: Incidence of usually buying store brand rice, pasta, snacks, chips and nuts, by household income, September 2010

Retailers introduced more enriched pasta and premium snacks in 2010


Drinks


Key points


Drinks among the least popular private label category


Figure 57: Incidence of household use of name brand vs. store brand, drinks, April 2009-June 2010

BFY options could drive sales growth


Figure 58: FDMx sales of drinks, by private label and national brand, with share and growth of private label share, 2010*

Private label drinks most popular with low and middle income shoppers


Figure 59: Incidence of usually buying store brand drinks, by household income, September 2010

Most private label drinks appear value-oriented, non-premium


Ability to Identify Private Label and Name Brands


Key point


Most are unsure whether private labels are store brands or national brands


Figure 60: Ability to identify store vs. name brands, September 2010

Higher income consumers more familiar with brand types


Figure 61: Identification of store brands as store brand/name brand, by household income, September 2010

Figure 62: Identification of name brands as store brand/name brand, by household income, September 2010

Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding Store Brands


Key points


Consumers generally view private label and national brands as equals


Figure 63: Perceptions of quality, store brand vs. name brand, by product category, September 2010

55+ segment most likely to hold favorable attitudes toward private label


Figure 64: Attitudes and beliefs regarding store brands, by age, September 2010

Affluents generally favorable towards private labels


Figure 65: Attitudes and beliefs regarding store brands, by household income, September 2010

Most open to trying new products


Figure 66: Influencers of and interest in new products, by age, September 2010

Cluster Analysis


Moderate Users


Demographics

Characteristics

Opportunity

Brandies


Demographics

Characteristics

Opportunity

Proclaimers


Demographics

Characteristics

Opportunity

Cluster characteristics


Figure 67: Private label clusters, September 2010

Figure 68: Attitudes and beliefs regarding store brands, by private label clusters, September 2010

Figure 69: Perceptions of quality, store brand vs name brand, consider name brand as better quality, by product category, by private label clusters, September 2010

Figure 70: Perceptions of quality, store brand vs name brand, consider no difference between name brand and private label, by product category, by private label clusters, September 2010

Figure 71: Influencers of and interest in new products, by private label clusters, September 2010

Cluster demographics


Figure 72: Private label clusters, by gender, September 2010

Figure 73: Private label clusters, by age, September 2010

Figure 74: Private label clusters, by household income, September 2010

Figure 75: Private label clusters, by race/Hispanic origin, September 2010

Cluster methodology


Appendix: Additional Consumer Tables


Gender


Figure 76: Identification of store brands as store brand/name brand, by gender, September 2010

Figure 77: Attitudes and beliefs regarding store brands, by gender, September 2010

Figure 78: Influencers of and interest in new products, by gender, September 2010

Age


Figure 79: Incidence of usually buying store brand baking, bread and bakery, by age, September 2010

Figure 80: Incidence of usually buying store brand frozen foods and desserts, by age, September 2010

Figure 81: Incidence of usually buying store brand rice, pasta, snacks, chips and nuts, by age, September 2010

Figure 82: Incidence of usually buying store brand drinks, by age, September 2010

Figure 83: Identification of name brands as store brand/name brand, by age, September 2010

Figure 84: Identification of store brands as store brand/name brand, by age, September 2010

Household income


Figure 85: Influencers of and interest in new products, by household income, September 2010

Race and Hispanic origin


Figure 86: Attitudes and beliefs regarding store brands, by race/Hispanic origin, September 2010

Figure 87: Influencers of and interest in new products, by race/Hispanic origin, September 2010

Region


Figure 88: Incidence of usually buying store brand baking, bread and bakery, by region and urban status, September 2010

Figure 89: Incidence of usually buying store brand cheese and other dairy, by region and urban status, September 2010

Figure 90: Incidence of usually buying store brand frozen foods and desserts, by region and urban status, September 2010

Figure 91: Incidence of usually buying store brand rice, pasta, snacks, chips and nuts, by region and urban status, September 2010

Figure 92: Incidence of usually buying store brand drinks, by region and urban status, September 2010

Figure 93: Attitudes and beliefs regarding store brands, by region, September 2010

Presence of children


Figure 94: Incidence of usually buying store brand cheese and other dairy, by gender and presence of children, September 2010

Figure 95: Incidence of usually buying store brand frozen foods and desserts, by gender and presence of children, September 2010

Figure 96: Incidence of usually buying store brand rice, pasta, snacks, chips and nuts, by gender and presence of children, September 2010

Figure 97: Incidence of usually buying store brand drinks, by gender and presence of children, September 2010

Figure 98: Identification of store brands as store brand/name brand, by presence and number of children, September 2010

Figure 99: Identification of name brands as store brand/name brand, by presence and number of children, September 2010

Figure 100: Attitudes and beliefs regarding store brands, by presence and number of children, September 2010

Figure 101: Influencers of and interest in new products, by number and presence of children, September 2010

Purchase of private label personal care and household products


Figure 102: Likelihood of buying store brands, by personal care category, September 2010

Figure 103: Likelihood of buying store brands, by household goods category, September 2010

Appendix: FDMx Category Sales Forecast


Bakery


Figure 104: FDMx private label bakery sales, at current prices, 2005-15

Figure 105: FDMx private label bakery sales, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2005-15

Dairy


Figure 106: FDMx private label dairy sales, at current prices, 2005-15

Figure 107: FDMx private label dairy sales, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2005-15

Deli


Figure 108: FDMx private label deli sales, at current prices, 2005-15

Figure 109: FDMx private label deli sales, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2005-15

Edible


Figure 110: FDMx private label edible sales, at current prices, 2005-15

Figure 111: FDMx private label edible sales, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2005-15

Frozen


Figure 112: FDMx private label frozen sales, at current prices, 2005-15

Figure 113: FDMx private label frozen sales, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2005-15

Appendix: Additional FDMx Sales Estimates


Baking, bread and bakery


Figure 114: FDMx sales of baking, bread and bakery, 2005-10*

Figure 115: FDMx sales of private label baking, bread and bakery, 2005-10*

Cheese, dairy and eggs


Figure 116: FDMx sales of cheese, dairy and eggs, 2005-10*

Figure 117: FDMx sales of private label cheese, dairy and eggs, 2005-10*

Canned foods


Figure 118: FDMx sales of canned foods, 2005-10*

Figure 119: FDMx sales of private label canned foods, 2005-10

Fish and meat


Figure 120: FDMx sales of fish and meat, 2005-10*

Figure 121: FDMx sales of private label fish and meat, 2005-10*

Jams, jellies and refrigerated spreads


Figure 122: FDMx sales of jams, jellies and refrigerated spreads, 2005-10*

Figure 123: FDMx sales of private label jams, jellies and refrigerated spreads, 2005-10*

Oils, dressing and condiments


Figure 124: FDMx sales of oils, dressing and condiments 2005-10*

Figure 125: FDMx sales of private label oils, dressing and condiments 2005-10*

Frozen foods and frozen desserts


Figure 126: FDMx sales of frozen foods and frozen desserts, 2005-10*

Figure 127: FDMx sales of private label frozen foods and frozen desserts, 2005-10*

Rice, pasta, snacks, chips and nuts


Figure 128: FDMx sales of rice, pasta, snacks, chips and nuts, 2005-10*

Figure 129: FDMx sales of private label rice, pasta, snacks, chips and nuts, 2005-10*

Drinks


Figure 130: FDMx sales of drinks, 2005-10*

Figure 131: FDMx sales of private label drinks, 2005-10*

Appendix: Trade Associations


  • Albertsons Inc.
  • American Heart Association, Inc.
  • Coca-Cola Company (The) (USA)
  • Food Marketing Institute
  • Food Products Association
  • Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA)
  • Groupe Danone
  • HJ Heinz Company
  • PepsiCo Inc
  • Perdue Farms Incorporated
  • Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA)
  • Safeway Inc
  • Starbucks Corporation
  • Target Corporation
  • The Kroger Co.
  • Trader Joe's Company Inc
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • Walgreen Co
  • Walmart Stores (USA)
  • Wegmans Food Markets, Inc
  • Whole Foods Market Inc
  • Wm. Bolthouse Farms Inc.
Registered office :

Mintel Group Ltd.
11 Pilgrim Street, London, EC4V 6RN
Registered in England: Number 1475918.

Geolocation by www.maxmind.com