Private or perish

In 2018, many FMCG brands were beset with challenges and unfortunately 2019 looks to be much the same. One ongoing issue that continues to plague FMCG brands is the growth of private and phantom label products.Not only are Coles and Woolworths increasingly adding their own products, private label retailers such as Aldi continue to gain market share within the Australian grocery sector.We are also starting to see the emergence of FMCG categories on e-commerce sites such as Amazon and, just like in the UK and US, it won’t be long until these sites provide a full FMCG offering in Australia. What’s interesting is that online platforms have the capability to “recommend” products, which can sway a consumer’s original purchase intention away from a branded product to a private label alternative.This will become particularly evident as we shift into a world where purchases through voice using Amazon Echo or Google Home become commonplace. For example, Amazon customers who are searching for batteries are now directed to the retailer’s own brand rather than a mainstream brand, such as Duracell. This occurs because shoppers typically don’t search by brand when using voice, saying “Amazon I need some batteries” rather than mentioning a specific brand by name.Leveraging innovationSo, what can brands do to counteract this problem? The key lies in product innovation. Most successful private and phantom label products are just very good replicas of what’s already selling well and their strength and appeal revolves around being a very good similar product that’s perceived as better value, as opposed to being a “new” product. However, while private label items may be good copies of market-leading products, they don’t generally innovate by offering consumers new flavours or applications, following trends versus setting them. For this reason, it’s important that FMCG brands continue to keep driving that innovation cycle to ensure a competitive edge that’s much harder to quickly copy.Of course, the issue is complex and can also be seen as a catch-22 for some major brands as often it’s the larger manufactures who provide the private label product for the retailer. If you walk through an Aldi store, you will see numerous products that look incredibly similar to well-known brands in packaging and branding; often it’s the same brand manufacturing them. Some suppliers may view it as a win–win for them as they get paid either way, but it risks the huge investment made in building brands. They also risk eroding all the hard work they have done in building up their brand in the first place. As for consumers, they see near identical products on shelves for several dollars cheaper and naturally think “Do I really need to buy a more expensive brand?” All the time, money and energy invested in building brand loyalty and a premium position in a particular category can be quickly diminished.Investing in marketingAnother effective method of competing with private label products is marketing. Phantom and private labels do very little in the way of instore marketing, which is why you don’t often see them promoted through POS material, off-site locations or big eye-catching displays. The larger FMCG brands therefore have an opportunity to create instore hype and engagement with shoppers to help ensure their product stands out, whether that is on shelf or though POS materials and end of aisle promotions. Brands spend vast amounts on advertising campaigns to drive brand awareness, and the need to follow through instore, where the actual purchasing decisions are made, is critical in order to deliver a return on investment.Similarly, “own brand” products may not be typically as well serviced as branded products when it comes to merchandising, relying purely on busy instore staff to maintain the shelf, which is an area that independent brands can leverage to their advantage. Outsourcing to a specialised field marketing agency can be a key tactic to help brands maximise their on-shelf presence. Not only are field agencies experts in merchandising, they often have access to sophisticated technology and data that can ensure products are optimally displayed, minimising lost sales due to out of stocks.Tapping into trendsFMCG brands can also look at the trends that are currently driving instore sales. In 2019, key trends will continue to be within the health, convenience and provenance sectors and eco-friendly packaging will also play an important role in the purchasing decision. The elimination of plastic bags in 2018 really brought home the issue of plastics and waste reduction, even to consumers who previously hadn’t given the issue much thought. FMCG brands should look at how they can give customers another reason to buy their goods over private label alternatives, including the development of more sustainably sourced and packaged products.The number of private and phantom label products is likely to continue to grow this year, as retailers look for ways to manage their own under pressure margins. Moreover, it’s not just the challenge of competing with low prices anymore, as supermarkets now have tiered own label offerings and even moving into a premium space in some instances. Tesco in the UK has been doing this for over 20 years now, with its Tesco Finest brand offering premium products that do not necessarily compete just on price but on quality.Some FMCG categories will feel the pain more acutely than others, as the decision to purchase private label products boils down to a few key considerations: the perceived difference in value, and how often consumers use the product. For example, most consumers would rather pay more for branded cosmetics and shampoos because they perceive the difference in price to reflect the difference in quality and it’s a “high priority” product. However, for daily staples such as flour or sugar where there doesn’t appear to be much perceived difference in quality, consumers often opt for the cheaper label.It’s undoubtedly a very challenging landscape for FMCG brands to be navigating right now. However, if you continue to invest in product innovation, in-store marketing and tap into consumer trends, you’ll have a much better chance at not just competing but winning a large percentage of your category’s sales.