Walmart topped the list of winners of PLMA’s 2024 Salute to Excellence Awards. The retail giant received a total of 18 awards for outstanding store brands.
Of these, nine awards went to Walmart’s new bettergoods line of chef-inspired products: 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 and Extra Creamy Oatmilk.
Walmart’s Clear American, Equate, Great Value, Marketside and Vibrant Life store brands were also recognized.
Among this year’s award-winning trends:
Salted Caramel Bliss - Caramel provides a small indulgence that today’s consumers crave. Winning products include Basically™ Salted Caramel Cookie Bites from Gopuff; Favorite Day™ Salted Caramel Cold Foam, Target; and Know & Love Dairy-Free Caramel Sea Salt Gelato, Southeastern Grocers.
Pickle Perfection - The tangy taste of pickles can be found far beyond the condiment aisle. Winners include Private Selection™ Dill Pickle Pretzels Twists, Kroger Co.; and Well Market™ Zesty Dill Pickle Flavor-Infused Sprouted Almonds, CVS Pharmacy.
Citrus Craze - Lemon, lime and other citrus fruits have created refreshing new flavor profiles. Winners include Amazon Kitchen Grilled Pork with Chipotle Lime Sauce, Amazon; and bettergoods™ Ricotta and Lemon Ravioli, Walmart.
Green Clean - Household cleaning products made with biodegradable ingredients and/or without harsh chemicals are in demand. Winners include True Goodness™ Lavender & Pear All-Purpose Cleaner, Meijer; Rosey™ Garbage Disposal Cleaning Packs, Thrive Market.
Rise and Shine! - New breakfast foods cater to shoppers who prioritize convenience, animal welfare and savings. Winners include Giant Eagle™ Shake and Pour Pancake Mix; Whole Foods Market Pasture-Raised Non-GMO Large Brown Eggs; and Always Save® Marshmallow Glitters cereal, Associated Wholesale Grocers.
PLMA’s annual Salute to Excellence Awards® program recognizes outstanding food and nonfood products introduced within the last year by supermarkets, drug stores, mass merchandisers, convenience stores, online retailers, wholesalers and more. Submissions were sampled and evaluated by a panel of professional and consumer judges on several criteria, including taste, product concept, packaging, and value for money.
This year, more than 760 products were submitted by 52 North American retailers, which is the highest number of submissions ever received.
