“The Grocer Own Label Food & Drink Awards is the world’s biggest own-label competition. In 2016 own-label products were entered by supermarkets, discounters, symbols and independents, and speciality and fine food retailers – in conjunction with their suppliers. Gold awards and silver awards were handed out in 67 categories at a special commemorative luncheon at the London Hilton on Park Lane.

“One of the primary purposes of the awards, when we established the competition 12 years ago, was to encourage and reward innovation. Based on feedback from the market we’ve therefore retired the Gold and Silver medal system, and replaced it with a system which differentiates outstanding product execution, on the one hand, and innovation on the other. As such there will be a Category Champion and an Innovation Winner in every category. We believe this will encourage innovation, which is the lifeblood of the sector, and reward both buyers and development teams who push the envelope. In addition, we are excited to announce two new top awards – the Champion of Champions Award for the best overall category champion and the Own Label Innovation Retailer of the Year. The latter will be selected based on a consideration of all the products entered by (or on behalf of) a retailer, with even products that are not an Innovation Winner in a particular category potentially contributing to a retailer’s overall score. This will be a highly prestigious award that, I am sure, all progressive retailers will aspire to win.”

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