Private label products

Private label products are those manufactured by a company, but sold under a retailer or wholesaler's own brand. These products are often created to meet the demands of a particular market segment and are unique to the brand. Private label products are developed to enhance a retailer's reputation and differentiate them from their competitors. By offering their own line of products, retailers can control the quality, pricing, and promotion of the product as well as the brand image associated with it.

Example of private label products

• Groceries: Grocery stores often offer their own private label brands of items like canned vegetables, condiments, baking ingredients, and snacks. These products are typically priced lower than name brands and feature store-specific packaging.
• Clothing: Clothing retailers may produce private label clothing lines to add to their selection of products. These items are often made with a specific design or aesthetic in mind and may feature distinctive details or fabric choices not found in other brands.
• Electronics: Electronics retailers may offer their own private label products, such as televisions, computers, headphones, and speakers. These products are often designed to have a similar look and feel as more popular items, but with lower prices.
• Household Items: Retailers may create private label items for the home, such as bedding, furniture, small appliances, and decor. These items are often designed to match the retailer's brand image and may offer unique features or patterns.
• Beauty Products: Beauty stores may create their own line of cosmetics and skin care products. These products are often designed to be used together and may feature unique packaging or ingredients designed to appeal to a specific target market.

When to use private label products

Private label products can be a great way to differentiate a business from its competitors. They can be leveraged to create an exclusive and unique product offering that appeals to customers and increases a retailer's brand recognition. Here are some times when private label products are useful:

• When a retailer needs to differentiate themselves from their competitors. Private label products enable a business to create a unique offering that is tailored to their specific market segment and can help them stand out from their competitors.
• When a retailer needs to control pricing and quality. By creating private label products, retailers can ensure that they are providing customers with the highest quality products at the best prices.
• When a retailer wants to create a strong brand identity. Offering unique, private label products can help build customer loyalty and recognition for the retailer's brand.
• When a retailer wants to increase sales. Private label products can be used to increase customer interest and drive sales.

Types of private label products

Private label products can be divided into several categories. These include:

• Food and Beverage: This category includes items such as packaged food, snacks, desserts, beverages, and alcoholic drinks. These products are typically developed to meet the preferences of a specific market segment and are unique to each brand.
• Household Goods: This includes items such as cleaning supplies, laundry detergents, paper products, and other everyday household items. These products are often created to meet the needs of a particular retailer or wholesaler and are unique to the brand.
• Personal Care: This includes items such as cosmetics, skin care, hair care, and bath and body items. Private label products in this category are often created to meet the preferences of a particular market segment and are unique to each brand.
• Apparel: This includes clothing, footwear, and accessories. Private label products in this category are often created to meet the preferences of a particular market segment and are unique to each brand.
• Electronics: This includes items such as TV's, computers, and other consumer electronics. Private label products in this category are often created to meet the needs of a particular retailer or wholesaler and are unique to the brand.

Advantages of private label products

Private label products offer numerous advantages for retailers, wholesalers, and consumers alike. Here are the key advantages of private label products:

• Retailers can control their own brand image, as well as the quality, pricing and promotion of the product. This allows them to create a unique product and brand experience for their customers.
• Private label products can often be sold for a lower price than similar branded products, allowing retailers to remain competitive in their market.
• Retailers can also reduce the amount of time and money spent on marketing by leveraging the established brand of the manufacturer.
• Private label products can provide a unique offering and set a retailer apart from their competitors, making them more attractive to consumers.
• Retailers can also create exclusive products that are not available from other brands, giving them an edge in the marketplace.
• Finally, private label products can provide a higher profit margin for retailers, allowing them to invest more in their business.

Limitations of private label products

Private label products offer retailers a great opportunity to create a unique brand identity and differentiate themselves from their competitors. However, there are some limitations to consider when opting for private label products. These include:

• Limited control over product quality: Private label products are often manufactured by third-party vendors, and retailers have limited control over the quality of the product. This can lead to inconsistent product quality, which can be damaging to the brand’s reputation.
• Price competition: Private label products are often sold at a lower price point than their branded counterparts, which can lead to price competition and a race to the bottom on prices.
• Poor customer loyalty: Since private label products are not associated with a well-known brand, customers may have less loyalty to the product and may be more likely to switch to a different product.
• Low brand recognition: Private label products may have difficulty gaining recognition and awareness as they do not have the benefits of a well-established brand.

Other approaches related to private label products

A private label product is one that is manufactured by a company, but sold under a retailer or wholesaler's own brand. There are several other approaches that retailers can consider when it comes to private label products:

• Co-branding: This approach involves two or more companies collaborating to produce a single product. The partners in this arrangement can provide their own expertise to create a product that leverages both of their brand recognition and consumer loyalty.
• Private Label Licensing: This approach allows a retailer to license a product from a manufacturer and modify it to meet the retailer's specific needs. This process involves the retailer paying a fee to the manufacturer to use their product and make changes to it.
• Private Label Manufacturing: This approach involves a retailer or wholesaler working with a manufacturer to produce a product for their own brand. The retailer or wholesaler provides the design, materials, and specifications for the product. The manufacturer then builds the product according to the retailer's specifications.
• Private Label Distribution: This approach involves a retailer or wholesaler contracting with a manufacturer to distribute the product to a wider range of retailers. This allows the retailer or wholesaler to increase their distribution reach without having to invest in their own distribution network.

In summary, private label products are those manufactured by a company, but sold under a retailer or wholesaler's own brand. There are several approaches that retailers can consider when it comes to private label products, such as co-branding, private label licensing, private label manufacturing, and private label distribution.

Private label products — recommended articles

Product differentiation strategy — Differential pricing — Exclusive distribution — Everyday low prices — Augmented product — Scrambled merchandising — Generic brand — Mass Merchandising — Prestige pricing

References

• Valaskova, K., Kliestikova, J., & Krizanova, A. (2018). Consumer perception of private label products: An empirical research. Journal of competitiveness, 10(3), 149.
• Burton, S., Lichtenstein, D. R., Netemeyer, R. G., & Garretson, J. A. (1998). A scale for measuring attitude toward private label products and an examination of its psychological and behavioral correlates. Journal of the academy of marketing science, 26, 293-306.