Private label products experience increased consumer trust
26/03/2013 by The Red Tree

Dr. Sabine Lohmann is the Director of InsightsResearch. Here, Sabine reviews the increasing consumer trust in own-label products, and what this means for established brands.
The own-label sector has come of age. Long gone are the days when you simply bought a Sainsbury’s this or a Tesco’s that, most likely to save a few pence off the brand leader. Now, there are sectors within the own label sector itself. Tesco offers products across its Value and Finest ranges, Sainsbury’s pairs its Basics range with its Taste The Difference products, and even Waitrose got in on the act recently with the launch of its Essentials range.
The power of the own-label became evident last Christmas when Waitrose enlisted the help of celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal to put his name to its Christmas ranges. These were a sell-out success. Thwarted shoppers turned to eBay, apparently bidding up to £250 for Blumenthal’s Waitrose Hidden Orange Christmas Pudding, despite a retail price of only £13.99.
With retailers working hard than ever to give their own-label lines the cachet of branded products, own labels have become brand labels in their own right and in some categories have achieved brand leadership.
But given that they not only offer extensive product ranges, they also own the major supermarkets, what are the longer-term impacts for established brands?
At a time when the price gap between branded and own-label products is lower than ever, you would expect branded products to be regaining ground. Yet, aside from ‘heritage products’ like Lea & Perrin’s Worcester Sauce, Heinz Tomato Ketchup and Coke and Pepsi, to what extent will branded products – established or new – be able to compete with own brand products in their own store environment over the next ten years?
Are we looking at a future where, with a few legacy brands aside, you will only be buying own-label products from different own-label premium or value ranges?
The reality is that established brands have been concerned with own-label products for years and, although many of the same manufacturers make own-label and branded products – sometimes to a more successful recipe – the power of the retailer and its own-label arsenal means that manufacturers are often searching for innovation that is harder for own-label products to copy: packaging innovation, for instance, or brand development via innovation or marketing.
Research shows that consumers are more likely to buy own label products in some categories and less likely in other product categories.
So for example skin care products a higher number of consumers believe own label brands might not work that efficiently and a common belief is that the more expensive the product the more science has gone into it.
Other products ‘don’t matter’ that much in the consumer’s eyes and she is happy to try a cheaper own label brand based on the, sometimes vague, hope that it might work. When it does not meet her expectations she would then be less disappointed and ready to compromise on the cheaper price point.
Simple consumer research techniques will reveal into which category your product falls and often a simple marketing strategy can address consumer concerns to either sell your own label product better or to sway your target back towards your products.
Using custom made research techniques, InsightsResearch finds the magnet that attracts the consumer to your products, turning them into loyal and long-term customers. Contact Sabine on +44 (0) 7711 934 331 or email sabinelohmann@insightsresearch.eu.
The Red Tree is the UK’s leading international beauty brand consultancy and a powerhouse of ideas, insight and inspiration. For an informal discussion on how we might help you, please contact us.
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