PLMA’s Salute to Excellence winners showcased within Idea Supermarket at PLMA Chicago trade show.
Nearly two dozen retail chains and wholesalers from across the country were selected as the winners of PLMA’s annual Salute to Excellence Awards.
The year’s winning products were featured during PLMA’s 2011 Private Label Trade Show in Chicago with a special Salute to Excellence Awards showcase located within PLMA’s Idea Supermarket, and are also viewable online at www.plmawinners.com.
The awards program, which was first instituted by PLMA in 1986, gives recognition for new store brands products that exemplify the high quality, innovation and value to consumers that continue to drive private label sales and market shares to record highs.
More than 400 individual product nominations were submitted by supermarkets, drug chains, mass merchandisers and wholesalers from all regions of the country. Products were then subjected to evaluations and judging over a two-day period by eight jury panels consisting of industry professionals as well as consumers. The criteria for the judging included product concept; product taste, texture & smell (for food items); packaging & presentation; and value for money.
Awards were given in 25 Food & Drink categories, including appetizers, Asian foods, bakery & cookies, breakfast foods, children’s & baby foods, chocolates & candies, condiments & dressings, dairy products, desserts, entrees, ethnic foods, gourmet, ice cream & frozen desserts, lunch-time, Mexican/Latin American foods, non-alcoholic beverages, organic & natural foods, pasta & pasta sauces, pizza, sides dishes, snacks, soups and vegetarian.
Also receiving awards were products in thirteen Home & Health categories: baby, bath & body, home office, housewares, kitchen & cooking, laundry & cleaning, natural beauty care, OTC & healthcare, personal care & toiletries, pet products, spa treatments, travel and value-pack.