PLMA Announces Winners of its 2023 International Salute to Excellence Awards

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