The UK remains Europe's largest private label market with a volume share of 41 per cent, and a value share of 39 per cent in 2001.
According to ACNielsen data tabulated exclusively for the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) 2002 International Private Label Yearbook, both private volume and value share dropped a point in 2001.
Intense competition in the UK retail sector for market share is cited as a reason for this development.
Brian Sharoff, president of PLMA, said: 'It's impossible to fight on all fronts. Therefore, it has been no surprise that preoccupation with maintaining or gaining market share has affected the retailers' attention for private label.' ACNielson observed that perishables performed relatively well in 2001. Private label volume and value shares in meat, fish and poultry went up 0.6 point. Vegetables also did well in terms of both volume and value development.
The biggest category for private label in the UK was meat, fish and poultry with 88.5 per cent volume and 91.3 per cent value share. Delicatessen and dairy are second and third.
