Circana Global Research Illuminates New Era of Private Label Transformation

Elevated prices and pressured consumers set the stage for increasing retailer investment and consumer adoption, leading to private label share growth in CPG globally

/EIN News/ -- Chicago, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Circana, LLC, a leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior, today released two new reports highlighting the continued global momentum of retailers' private label products. Initially driven by cost-conscious shoppers, private labels have evolved into sought-after options as consumers increasingly recognize the quality and variety retailers offer.

Circana’s global research, From Growth to Transformation: A Global Private Label Perspective, explores regional approaches to private brands across the European Union, Australia, and the United States, while the second report, From Growth to Transformation: The U.S. Private Label Story, provides a deeper analysis of private label trends shaping the U.S. market.

The global findings reveal that private labels are becoming increasingly competitive in the CPG market, with retailers building brand equity through investments in innovation, sustainability, differentiation, and premiumization. These actions have pushed private labels beyond a focus on price. Private labels are well-established in the European Union, holding 39% value share and 47% unit share with strong growth continuing in Spain and France. Relative to other global markets, U.S. private label share is emerging (22% value, 24% unit share), but is the fastest-growing in dollar sales. Even as inflation has eased, private labels continue to grow share.

Private labels continue to gain traction in the U.S., with CPG unit share increasing in 2024. Inflation, which initially fueled private label growth in 2022, remains a key driver as consumers seek value without compromising quality. Retail food and beverage leads private label expansion, with dollar share up in 2024. Private label sales are increasing in both mature categories, such as meat and bakery, and emerging spaces, including candy and snacks. Private label’s momentum is being driven by consumers increasingly shifting their shopping to value-driven channels, including mass, club, and e-commerce, and limited assortment retailers. Adoption is widespread across all consumer groups, with younger shoppers particularly eager to explore new products from their preferred retailers.

“Private label will continue its growth trajectory, but the next wave of growth may come from different places,” said Sally Lyons Wyatt, global executive vice president and chief advisor at Circana. “While value channels have recently driven private label gains, expect more grocers – both large and mid-sized – to invest more aggressively, making private labels a core growth strategy. Retailers will continue to tier their offerings with more margin-accretive premium products, while also leaning in on entry price-point products. As retailers continue to build brand equity, they may rethink pricing and promotion strategies, but innovation – including with new products, localization, regionalization or unique partnerships – will continue to take center stage.”

About Circana
Circana is a leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior. Through superior technology, advanced analytics, cross-industry data, and deep expertise, we provide clarity that helps almost 7,000 of the world’s leading brands and retailers take action and unlock business growth. We understand more about the complete consumer, the complete store, and the complete wallet so our clients can go beyond the data to apply insights, ignite innovation, meet consumer demand, and outpace the competition. Learn more at circana.com.

Shelley Hughes
                    Circana
                    +1 312-731-1782
                    Shelley.Hughes@circana.com