Table of Contents
CHICAGO — Walmart emerged as the top winner at this year’s PLMA Salute to Excellence Awards, clinching a total of 18 awards for its innovative private label offerings. The retail giant showcased its commitment to delivering high-quality store brands, with nine of the awards going to its new bettergoods™ line, which highlights chef-inspired flavors and premium ingredients.
Walmart’s bettergoods products that earned accolades include:
- Ricotta and Lemon Ravioli
- Cheesy Spinach Potatoes au Gratin
- Salted Caramel Pistachio Ice Cream
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake Greek Yogurt
- Hibiscus Glaze with Grape Must
- Spicy Pineapple Habanero BBQ Sauce
- Strawberry Champagne Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
- Raspberry, Cardamom & Rose Fruit Spread
- Extra Creamy Oatmilk
In addition to its success with bettergoods, Walmart’s other private label brands—including Clear American, Equate, Great Value, Marketside, and Vibrant Life—were also recognized for their excellence. This reflects the retailer’s broad reach in both food and non-food categories.
The awards were presented during PLMA’s annual “The Store Brands Phenomenon 2024—Empowering the Retail Industry” trade show in Chicago. The show highlights the growing influence of store brands in the retail sector.
The Salute to Excellence Awards spotlighted several key consumer trends this year:
- Salted Caramel Bliss - A resurgence in caramel-flavored treats that cater to indulgent cravings. Notable winners included Target’s Favorite Day Salted Caramel Cold Foam and Southeastern Grocers’ Know & Love Dairy-Free Caramel Sea Salt Gelato.
- Pickle Perfection - The tangy pickle flavor made waves across various categories, with products like Kroger’s Private Selection™ Dill Pickle Pretzels Twists and CVS Pharmacy’s Well Market Zesty Dill Pickle Flavor-Infused Sprouted Almonds capturing judges' attention.
- Citrus Craze - Citrus fruits brought a refreshing twist to classic dishes. Walmart’s bettergoods Ricotta and Lemon Ravioli and Amazon’s Kitchen Grilled Pork with Chipotle Lime Sauce were standouts in this category.
- Green Clean - The demand for eco-friendly cleaning solutions continued to rise. Products like Meijer’s True Goodness Lavender & Pear All-Purpose Cleaner and Thrive Market’s Rosey Garbage Disposal Cleaning Packs earned recognition for their sustainable formulations.
- Rise and Shine! - The breakfast aisle saw innovative offerings focused on convenience and sustainability. Among the winners were Giant Eagle’s Shake and Pour Pancake Mix and Whole Foods Market’s Pasture-Raised Non-GMO Large Brown Eggs.
This year’s awards program saw a record 760 product submissions from 52 North American retailers, the highest number in the event’s history. Submissions were evaluated by a panel of professional and consumer judges based on taste, product concept, packaging, and value for money.
As private label products continue to gain traction among consumers, these awards reflect the growing emphasis retailers are placing on quality, innovation, and consumer preferences. Walmart's strong showing underscores its ongoing commitment to elevating its store brands to meet its customers' evolving tastes.
A complete list of winners is available here.
The Salute to Excellence Awards, hosted annually by the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA), recognize outstanding food and non-food products introduced within the last year by various retailers, including supermarkets, mass merchandisers, and online platforms. The awards celebrate innovation and excellence in the private-label industry, helping retailers spotlight the best of their store brand offerings.
