Consumer Psyche

According to the latest report from IRI Times & Trends, private label unit share has grown 12 points to 22.8 percent over the past 12 months, while dollar share has grown 0.7 points to 17.6 percent. Growth was highest in the grocery sector, driven by at-home food rituals and continued consumer focus on low-cost products.

Sainsbury's said sales of its 15,000 own-brand products were growing on average 6% on the year, while sales of branded goods were up 3%. The supermarket's own-label ranges now make up more than half of total sales. Some 163 of its own brands are 20% cheaper than their branded equivalents - which would translate into an average customer saving of £452 in a year, according to the market research group TNS.

Do I see a thousand middlemen scream?