Bernard Luthi

In 2025, retailer brands hit record sales and outgrow big brands. Shoppers want good value and good quality, and retailers now offer premium and functional options too. Where it’s already mainstream: -United States. Retailer brands grew +3.7% vs +1.1% for national brands. Sales are close to $280B , a record. For many shoppers, own brands are the default. -United Kingdom. Own-label share stayed near parity with brands (about 47–52%). Premium private label is growing fast. -Western Europe. In several countries, private label is over 40% of category sales. It’s part of the regular basket. Where it’s growing up: -Asia–Pacific. 54% of consumers say they now buy private label more often (leaders: Thailand, India, China, Indonesia). People see it as “good enough quality at a fair price.” -Latin America. Share is lower than in Europe, but growth is faster than the global market. Big room to grow, especially for discounters and club formats. Where it’s still early: Middle East & Africa. In many countries, share is still under 2%, but momentum is building as modern retail expands and shoppers seek affordability. Why this is happening: -Value without trade-offs. Most shoppers see private label as “good value for money” and a real alternative to brands. The stigma is fading. -Retailer strategy. Big chains launch premium lines (chef-inspired, plant-based, “made without”). Own brands are about innovation, not just low price. -Promo reality. Brands overuse discounts. Retailers push their own labels smartly, earning margin and loyalty, so private label keeps its share. What manufacturers should do (5 quick moves): 1) Rebuild the portfolio for profitable volume. Cut the long tail. Put money on your #1–2 brands and best-margin SKUs. EY State of Consumer Products 2025 says companies that simplify portfolios and focus win more. (EY) 2) Innovate for clear, simple benefits. No “just another flavor.” Make health-led products (high protein, no sugar, clean label) and easy formats. PwC Voice of the Consumer 2025 shows health benefits are a top reason people switch food brands. (PwC) 3) Co-create with retailers, not just ask for shelf space. Bring a category growth plan, exclusive packs, and retail-media tests with incrementality. Deloitte 2025 Consumer Products Outlook urges precision growth (balance price-volume-mix and smarter demand gen). (Deloitte) 4) Run price–pack–promo with hard measurement. Use RGM: targeted promos, MMM, and receipt data to prove lift vs. private label. Deloitte 2025 Outlook calls for profitable growth levers, not blanket discounting. (Deloitte Insights) 5) Tighten operations and cost-to-serve with data/AI. Make the supply chain transparent, cut waste, and free margin to reinvest. KPMG Global Tech Report 2025 (Consumer & Retail) links higher digital/AI maturity to better profitability. (KPMG Assets) #PrivateLabel #FMCG #CPG #Retail #StoreBrands #ConsumerTrends #RGM #CategoryManagement #RetailMedia #RetailInnovation

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The Daily Dilemma: Margin or Market Share? . . . It’s the scenario every electronics Category Leader dreads. It’s Q3, TV sales are soft, and your Sales Ops teams are pushing hard for a massive weekend promo to hit their volume targets. Do you slash the price to chase market share (Volume), or hold firm to protect an already thin bottom line (Margin)? This isn't just a pricing tactic; it is the defining test of true P&L ownership. Anyone in retail can move units by selling a rupee for ninety paise. Real leadership is managing the "blend." We know that while Top Line feeds the ego, Bottom Line feeds the business. The tension between short-term pressure and long-term health is acute in tech. The temptation for the quick volume win is immense, especially with depreciating inventory. But constant discounting is a dangerous drug. You risk "training" your electronics customer to never buy at full price again, eroding brand value and crushing future profitability. The solution isn't binary; it’s strategic portfolio management. You need the low-margin "traffic drivers"—like gaming consoles or entry-level laptops—to get footfall. But a healthy P&L requires balancing those with high-margin attach items: premium cables, extended warranties, and accessories. Knowing which lever to pull, and when, is the job. Electronics leaders, how do you balance the daily pressure for immediate market share against long-term category health? #CategoryManagement #RetailStrategy #ElectronicsRetail #PnLOwnership #Leadership #consumerdurables #smartphones #India #moderntrade srikant gokhale Pradeep Bhosale Satyajeet Gandhi

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Aloha Friday! 🤙🏼 Here are some interesting stories from the world of retail for Friday, February 6: 📦 Amazon shares dropped after the company announced plans to spend $200 billion this year on data centers, chips and other equipment. Revenue for Q4 rose by 13.6% over the prior year. 👕 Ralph Lauren reported a 10% year-on-year revenue increase to $2.4 billion in Q3, driven by strong sales across all regions and channels. The company’s direct-to-consumer business saw significant growth. 👜 Tapestry raised its annual targets after strong demand for its handbags boosted sales at Coach. The firm increased its spending on marketing by 40% and expects Coach to become a $10 billion brand. 🪿 Canada Goose's shares plunged nearly 20%, the worst decline in three years, after the luxury parka maker missed on key earnings metrics despite a frigid winter season. 🚴🏻‍♀️ Peloton shares dropped 26% after it reported a disappointing holiday quarter, missing revenue and profit expectations. The company’s new AI-driven product line failed to meet sales targets. 👠 Designer Brands, owner of DSW, has confirmed it made layoffs to simplify its organizational structure and reduce complexity. The company also aims to improve execution and manage costs. ❄️ Coca-Cola said on Thursday it is discontinuing its frozen products, including its Minute Maid frozen line, in the US and Canada markets as it tries to appease shifting consumer tastes. 🛋️ Bob's Discount Furniture, the home furnishings retailer backed by Bain Capital, rose 0.1% in its trading debut after the company raised $331 million in a US initial public offering. 🏬 Simon Property will invest $250 million to redevelop The Mall at Green Hills, Cherry Creek Shopping Center, and International Plaza. The redevelopments aim to enhance offerings in high-growth markets. 💄 Estée Lauder expects a $100 million hit to full-year profitability due to tariffs, causing its stock to drop over 20%. Despite this, the company raised its fiscal outlook after strong first-half performance. 🍽️ Bob Evans Restaurants has a new owner. New York-based investment firm 4x4 Capital has acquired the 78-year-old, Ohio-based family-dining chain from Golden Gate Capital. 🧴 Coty, under new interim CEO Markus Strobel, is shifting focus to core brands like Kylie Cosmetics and long-term licenses with Burberry and Marc Jacobs. The aim is to reduce complexity and drive profitability. 🇨🇦 Lawyers representing former Hudson’s Bay employees have asked an Ontario court to approve a hardship fund and additional support measures to help workers affected by the department store’s collapse. 👗 Vestiaire Collective, the fashion resale platform, expects to rake in its first annual profit more than 15 years after its launch as it eyes expansion in the US. #retail #retailnews #economy #DailyRetailNews

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Vendors and retailers need to engage in face-to-face interactions at industry expos, shows, and events. These gatherings offer a platform to foster relationships, create networking opportunities, gather market insights, showcase product demonstrations, and initiate deal negotiations. The Channel Sources Show and Expo Calendar for July 2025 provides a comprehensive update on upcoming opportunities across America where vendors and resellers converge to forge partnerships and secure deals. These gatherings serve as pivotal moments for industry players to connect, collaborate, and drive innovation. Don't miss out on these valuable networking and business development opportunities in the tech and consumer goods sectors. #TechConnectLIVE #CES #CES2026 #MobileAccessories #SmartHome #iPhoneAccessories #ConsumerElectronics #Housewares #InspiredHomeShow

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