PLMA Announces Winners of its 2023 International Salute to Excellence Awards
39 retailers from 20 countries honoured for innovation, NPD, and quality in private label. Retailers including REWE Group, Dirk Rossmann, Md S.p.A, Coop Italia, Aldi Netherlands, A.S. Watson and Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland were among the big winners in the 2023 International Salute to Excellence Awards, organised by PLMA.
An international panel of judges – including former retailers, chefs, marketing professionals, nutritionists, and journalists – evaluated 525 submitted products introduced in the past year by 64 retailers in 20 countries. The judges selected 101 food and non-food winning products..
Country by country
Germany and Italy emerged as the top-performing countries with 15 awards each, while the Netherlands secured 12 awards, Denmark’s retailers were honoured with eight awards, and both Ireland and Spain claimed seven awards each. France received six awards.
The remaining 31 awards were distributed among retailers from Portugal, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Turkey, China, and South Africa, exemplifying the global reach and diverse talent within the retail sector.
In Germany, REWE Group (including Penny) took home seven awards, with drugstore chain Dirk Rossmann taking six honours and Globus also named among the winners.
In Italy, Md S.p.A (six awards) and Coop Italia (four awards) were the top recipients, with other winners including CRAI Secom, Despar and Vega Società Cooperativa.
In the Netherlands, discounter Aldi and A.S.Watson, which operates the Kruidvat chain, each received five awards, while Etos was also named as a winner.
In Spain, the seven awards presented were shared by Eroski and Consum, while in France, Carrefour, Auchan and Monoprix shared the spoils.
Another notable winner was Irish operator Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland, which received seven awards.
Leading trends
Trends noted by the judges as part of the judging programme included heightened focus on sustainability; products aimed at meeting specific consumer niches; healthy indulgence; local sourcing; DOP and PGI claims; new flavour combinations and plant-based solutions.
“Sustainability is an important trend driven by retailers; and private label is really taking action,” one of the judges said.
Along with sustainability, a common theme among the winners is high-quality, yet affordable products – a clear response to the needs of their retail customers.
“The submissions emphasize affordability without compromising on quality,” said PLMA President Peggy Davies. “For instance, organic foods were presented at non-organic prices, making organic more accessible for all wallets.”
PLMA’S 2023 INTERNATIONAL “SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE AWARDS”
FOOD FOR THE FAMILY
APPETIZERS
Despar Italia (Italy) – Despar Premium Caponata Siciliana 190gr
CHARCUTERIE
Consum Coop.V. (Spain) – Consum Pechuga de Pavo
CONVENIENCE & READY MEALS
MD S.p.A. (Italy) – Lettere dall’ITALIA Girasoli ripieni San Marzano DOP e Mozzarella di Bufala DOP
DRIED PASTA
CRAI Secom (Italy) – La Rosa dei Gusti I Tajarin con Tartufo Bianco d’Alba
FISH & FISH BURGERS
Coop Norge SA (Norway) – Coop Fra Havet Fiskeburger Mac’n Cheese 250g
FRESH SALAD
Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland (Ireland) – Supervalu Signature Tastes Mixed Barley & Pomegranate Salad
FROZEN FISH AND SEAFOOD
Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland (Ireland) – Supervalu Signature Tastes Organic Lightly Smoked Irish Salmon Darnes
FUNCTIONAL FOOD
REWE Group (Germany) – REWE to go High Protein Beere mit Honig-Knusper-Müsli
MAIN DISH
Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland (Ireland) – Supervalu Signature Tastes Irish Hereford Centre Cut Sirloin Barrel
PREPARED MEAT
MD S.p.A. (Italy) – I Firmati da MD Hamburger di Carne di Bovino Adulto Scottona
SIDE DISH (tie)
Vega Società Cooperativa (Italy) – Mondo Natura Polenta Gialla 500g
Coop Italia (Italy) – Fiorfiore Invecchiato 12 Mesi Riso Carnaroli
SMALL PLATE
ALDI (Belgium) – Fine Selection Excellence Mini Black Angus Beefburger
SOUPS & VELOUTÉS
Coop Italia (Italy) – Coop Selezione Gourmet Vellutata con Tartufo
TINNED FISH
CRAI Secom (Italy) – La Rosa dei Gusti Alici del Mar Cantabrico Marinate all’Aceto di Vermouth
VEGAN, VEGETARIAN & FREE FROM
FOODS FOR KIDS
Penny (Germany) – Food for the Future Vegane Dino-Nuggets
FRESH SALAD
Monoprix (France) – Daily Monop’ Salade Vegan – Emincé Végétal, Taboulé, Courgette, Grenade
PLANT-BASED MILK
Dagrofa (Denmark) – Grøn Balance Organic Oat Drink
SWEET SPREADS & TOPPING
REWE Group (Germany) – REWE Feine Welt Veganes Lemon Curd
VEGAN MEAL OPTIONS
REWE Group (Germany) – REWE Bio + Vegan Tofu Sesam-Mandel
VEGETARIAN MEAL OPTIONS
GLOBUS Markthallen Holding (Germany) – GLOBUS Fresh ‘n’ Go Veggie Bulli Baba Bulgur-Burger
MEAL PREPARATION
COOKING INGREDIENTS
Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland (Ireland) – Supervalu Signature Tastes Chilled Poultry Gravy
CONDIMENTS & SAUCES
Migros Ticaret A.Ş. (Turkey) – M %100 Nar Ekşisi – Pomegranate Sour 250 ml
Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland (Ireland) Inspired by Centra Cranberry Sauce
OLIVE OILS (tie)
GLOBUS Markthallen Holding (Germany) – GLOBUS Griechisches Natives Olivenöl Extra
Consum Coop.V. (Spain) – Consum Aceite de Oliva Virgen Extra Primera Cosecha
PASTA SAUCES
MD S.p.A. (Italy) – Lettere dall’ITALIA Salsa Pronta di Pomodoro Ciliegino
PIZZA & PIZZA DOUGH
EROSKI S. COOP (Spain) – EROSKI Masa para Pizza
VINEGAR
CarrefourSA (Turkey) – Carrefour Bio Organik Elma Sirkesi – Apple Vinegar 500ml
BAKERY, BREAKFAST & DESSERTS
BISCUITS & COOKIES
Coop Trading (Denmark) – Coop Baluxe Cookies
BREAD & CRACKERS
Coop Norge SA (Norway) – Coop Frøknekkebrød with 84% Less Carbohydrates
MD S.p.A. (Italy) – Lettere dall’ITALIA Puccia Salentina
BREAKFAST CEREALS
Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland (Ireland) – Supervalu Breakfast Seed Topper
DESSERTS
ALDI (Holland) – Party Gebak New York Style Cheesecake
PANCAKES
Modelo Continente Hipermercados, SA (Portugal) – Continente Panquecas Banana e Espelta
PASTRY
REMA 1000 (Denmark) – REMA 1000 Wienerpekan
PEANUT & NUT BUTTER
Axfood/Dagab Purchasing & Logistics (Sweden) – Garant Pistasch & Cashew Nötsmör Spread
SWEET BAKERY & CAKES
Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland (Ireland) – Supervalu Signature Tastes Salted Caramel Cake
DAIRY
CHEESE
MD S.p.A. (Italy) – Lettere dall’ITALIA Raspadura di Lodi
DAIRY PRODUCTS (tie)
EROSKI S. COOP (Spain) – EROSKI Yogur con Confitura de Cerezas de Pais Vasco
Coop Italia (Italy) – Coop Kefir Fragola Da Bere 480 G
ICE CREAM
MD S.p.A. (Italy) – KALOS Gelato di Yogurt Greco Naturale
SNACKS & CONFECTIONERY
CONFECTIONERY
Salling Group (Denmark) – Salling Princip Chokoladekugler med Tonka-Karamel
DARK CHOCOLATE (tie)
ALDI (The Netherlands) – FAIR PERU 70% Cacao Biologisch Pure Chocolade
Pingo Doce Distribuição Alimentar SA (Portugal) – Pingo Doce Fair Trade Chocolate Tablet 95% Cacao
FLAVOURED CHOCOLATE
Consum Coop.V. (Spain) – Consum Chocolate Negro con Arandános 72% cacao
HEALTHY SNACKS
ALDI (The Netherlands) – All Seasons Smaakvolle Blauwe Bessen
NUTRITIONAL BARS
Coop Trading (Denmark) – Coop Seeds Almond Chocolate Bar
SALTED NUTS & TRAIL MIXES
Coop Trading (Finland) – Rainbow Hickory Smoked Nut Mix
SALTY SNACKS
METRO Commerce Group Co.,Ltd (China) – M Select Maimaixiong Jumbo Popcorn
SAVOURY SPREADS AND DIPS
Coop Italia (Italy) – Coop Pasta di Acciughe
SNACKS FOR KIDS
COOP Jednota (Slovakia) – Junior Tyčinky
BEVERAGES
BOTTLED WATER
REMA 1000 (Norway) – Grans Taffel Naturell
FLAVOURED WATER
Woolworths (South Africa) – Woolworths Peach Soda 250 ml
INFUSION & HERBAL TEAS
Woolworths (South Africa) – Woolworths Infusions Ginger & Turmeric
COFFEE CAPSULES
Auchan (France) – Auchan Bio Mexique Coffee Capsules
GROUND & COFFEE BEANS
Rohlik Group (Czech Republic) – Ubomi Bio Peru Coffee Beans
FRESH JUICES
CarrefourSA (Turkey) – Carrefour Bio Organik Apple & Fig & Cherry Juice 250 ML
JUICES
Woolworths (South Africa) – Woolworths Ruby Grapefruit 100% Fruit Juice Blend 1L
SMOOTHIES
REWE Group (Germany) – REWE to go Pumpkin Spice Smoothie
SOFT DRINKS
EROSKI S. COOP (Spain) – MAYARAY Mojito Sin Alcohol
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
BEER
ALDI (The Netherlands) – Schultenbräu Premium Bier 12X0,25 L
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
Penny (Germany) – San Fabio Gin Arancia
HEALTH & BEAUTY
BABY & KIDS CARE (tie)
Dirk Rossmann GmbH (Germany) – Babydream Kamm und Bürste
Dirk Rossmann GmbH (Germany) – Babydream Nagelfeilring
BABY WIPES
Woolworths (South Africa) – Woolies Babes Reusable Wipes Pouch includes Soothing Aloe Vera & Vitamin E Wipes
BABY DIAPERS
Etos (The Netherlands) – Etos Puur & Zacht Luierbroekjes Maxi 4
BATH AND SHOWER PRODUCTS
Salling Group (Denmark) – HELL0% Sensitive Shower Gel
BEAUTY ACCESSORIES
A.S. Watson Benelux (The Netherlands) – Kruidvat Boob Tape – Sand
BODY CARE
Migros Ticaret A.Ş. (Turkey) – Like Me Aloe Vera Soothing Gel
COSMETICS & FRAGRANCES
Dirk Rossmann GmbH (Germany) – Rival ♥ me Crystal Lip Oil
FACE CLEANSER
EVA (RUSH LLC) (Ukraine) – ABOUT Face Cleansing Balls
FACIAL CARE, CREAM & MASK
SHIZU Group Co.Ltd (China) – SHIZU Steam Hot Compress Eye Mask
HAIR CARE
EROSKI S. COOP (Spain) – Belle Champú Solido Naranja y Papaya
HAIR CONDITIONERS & MASKS
EVA (RUSH LLC) (Ukraine) – ABOUT Hair Cream-Spray Keratin Smooth Treatment
HAND CARE
Axfood (Sweden) – Mevolution In the Flower Shop Hand Soap – Green Grass & Fresh Cut Flowers
MAKE UP REMOVER
Carrefour (France) – Carrefour Soft Green Solid Make up Remover with Ricin Oil
MEN’S TOILETRIES
Dirk Rossmann GmbH (Germany) – ISANA MEN Premium Bartshampoo
SKIN CARE
Pingo Doce Distribuição Alimentar SA (Portugal) – Be Beauty Care Solar Face Cream with Hyaluronic Acid SPF30
PERSONAL CARE & HEALTHCARE
DENTAL CARE – TOOTHBRUSH
A.S. Watson Benelux (The Netherlands) – Kruidvat XPERT CLEAN+ Electric Toothbrush
DENTAL CARE – TOOTHPASTE
Carrefour (France) – Carrefour Soft Green Pastilles Dentifrice
FEMININE HYGIENE
Dirk Rossmann GmbH (Germany) – Facelle Natural Menstruations Hipster M
HEALTHCARE
Hangzhou Miaomanfen E-commerce Co., Ltd (China) – Miaomanfen Silicone Hot/Cold Water Bag
KIDS HEALTHCARE
A.S. Watson Benelux (The Netherlands) – Kruidvat Pleisters verschillende Vormen & Design 18 st.
OTC (tie)
A.S. Watson Benelux (The Netherlands) – Kruidvat Nazorg Tattoo Creme 100gr
ALDI (The Netherlands) – Triangle Pharma Paracétamol Coffeїne
PERSONAL CARE
Dirk Rossmann GmbH (Germany) – Alterra Naturkosmetik Deostick Bio-Mandelbutter
WOMEN’S TOILETRIES
Carrefour (France) – Carrefour Soft Green 100% Organic Cotton Eco Pads
VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS
Migros Ticaret A.Ş (Turkey) – MLife 2 Mineral Vitamin Honey Propolis Mix
Etos (The Netherlands) – Etos Vegan Protein Sugar-Free Shake with Vanilla Flavour
HOME & HOUSEHOLD
ECO FRIENDLY – PAPER PRODUCTS
REWE Markt GmbH (Germany) – Natürlich Eco Recycling Toilettenpapier
ECO FRIENDLY – LAUNDRY CARE
Dagrofa (Denmark) – Grøn Balance Miljo Hvid Vask
ECO FRIENDLY – CLEANING PRODUCTS (tie)
Coop (Denmark) – Änglamark Window Refill
Marks & Spencer (United Kingdom) – M&S Plant-Based Multi Surface Cleaner – Almond & Sweet Orange
ECO FRIENDLY – CLEANING ARTICLES
Marks & Spencer (United Kingdom) – M&S 3 Plant Based Pop Up Sponges
DISH DETERGENT & CARE
Axfood (Sweden) – Såklart Hand Diskmedel Rabarber
HOME & HOUSEHOLD
Sopharma Trading JSC (Bulgaria) – SOpharmacy 100% Biodegradable Bag
HOUSEHOLD CLEANING PRODUCTS
AUCHAN (France) – Auchan Spray Nettoyant Multi-Surfaces Désinfectant Sans Javel – Eucalyptus
HOUSEHOLD CLEANING WIPES
A.S. Watson Benelux (The Netherlands) – Kruidvat Reinigings- en Desinfectiedoekjes
LIQUID LAUNDRY DETERGENT & PODS
Marks & Spencer (United Kingdom) – M&S Plant Based Sensitive Non-Bio Laundry Liquid Concentrated
PET CARE (tie)
Vega Società Cooperativa (Italy) – Mondo Pulito Ecologico Lettiera Biodegradabile
Woolworths (South Africa) – Woolworths Strawberry Flavoured Frozen Yoghurt
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