I checked my calendar to confirm that it's not April 1, so perhaps the news that Kellogg
Zapping mind share
The cereal maker says it's trying to protect its brand from an influx of "fake flakes." We knew purse makers Coach
In reality, this news/development/marketing stunt highlights the inroads that private-label products are making on branded goods. When something as mundane as a corn flake needs an identifying label on it, you know store-brands have gotten the competition all soggy.
Supermarket chain Kroger
The real thing
Kellogg says it wants to reinforce the notion that its corn flakes are unique, and that the company does not make fake flakes for anyone else. There's a certain logic to Kellogg's extreme lengths; after all, "brand" allows it or Coca Cola
And that markup has been steep. When commodity prices soared last year, consumer-goods companies were all too willing to pass along much of the price increases to customers, perhaps under some mistaken belief in the power of their own brand names. Many were undoubtedly caught by surprise when supermarkets began pushing back, and started devoting more space to cheaper, private-label goods. The big names ended up resorting to discounting and coupons to entice shoppers to buy their products. Even giant Procter & Gamble
Kellogg says it hasn't been hurt too much by the trading-down effect; sales of its Corn Flakes rose this year. But as more consumers reach for the box of Great Value flakes at Wal-Mart, or the Kirkland Signature brand cereals at Costco
The Force is against them
Whether this is a real technological advance -- Star Wars meets the grocery aisle -- or a cleverly devised publicity coup to gain attention for Kellogg, the implication is clear: The big brands have fancy laser tech, but private-label products have become the true Death Star in this market. And that's no joke.
For further Foolishness:
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