Walmart, Sam’s Club, Wakefern Food Corp., Topco Associates, Whole Foods Market, Aldi and Albertsons Companies were the top winners of the Private Label Manufacturers Association‘s 2026 Salute to Excellence Awards.
Now in its 40th year, the competition drew a record of more than 900 product entries from North American retailers and wholesalers, judged by a panel of consumer and industry professionals on taste and sensory appeal, packaging, product concept and value for money.
“The Salute to Excellence Awards are a great opportunity to not only bring awareness to store brands and what they offer, but a way to honor great retailers for their quality of products and inspire more trust for consumers in a world where they’re looking to store brands increasingly often,” said Suzanne Caputo, director of retail trade relations at PLMA.
Trends among this year’s food and beverage winners included pickle flavors, Korean- and Latin-inspired dishes, better-for-you options, indulgent dessert and café flavors and functional foods built around fiber and protein. Non-food standouts featured food-inspired scents, gentle sensitive-skin formulas, health-focused pet products and items designed for kids and parents.
Top winning products included:
- Walmart: Marketside Dill Pickle Hamburger Buns, Great Value Agua de Coconut con Pulpa, Equate Sensitive Skin Foaming Wash and Vibrant Life Crystal Health Monitoring Cat Litter
- Sam’s Club: Member’s Mark High Protein Penne Pasta with Italian Sausage and Clybourn 4-Piece Outdoor Sofa Seating Set
- Topco Associates: TopCare Vanilla & Sandalwood Deodorant and Food Club Drink Mix Stix Variety Pack
- Albertsons Companies: Signature Select Kids Mythical Creatures Bandages and Rechargeable Toothbrush
- Aldi: Fremont Fish Market Yellowfin Tuna in Oil
- ShopRite/Wakefern: Bowl & Basket Blueberry Pie Trail Mix
- Whole Foods Market: Pasture-Raised Regenerative Organic Brown Eggs
A full list of winners can be found here.
PLMA’s Store Brands Marketplace runs Nov. 15-17 in Chicago. Founded in 1979, the nonprofit trade organization represents more than 5,200 member companies in more than 80 countries and also created Store Brands Month to spotlight private label quality, value and innovation.
Related: PLMA Preps For 2026 Private Label Trade Show In November