April 21/Chicago/Business Wire -- Tough economic times have certainly been a boon for private label foods and beverages, but according to The NPD Group, private label usage has been growing over the last decade. According to a new NPD report, "Private Label Perceptions, Usage Patterns & Intentions," last year, 24% of all food and beverages served in American homes were store brands, up from 18% in 1999. Today, 97% of all households consume private label foods on a regular basis.
"There is no question that private label foods have become an integral part of American life," says Harry Balzer, chief industry analyst at NPD and author of Eating Patterns in America. "Furthermore, we do not hide private label foods as an ingredient or as an additive to another dish. Today, over half of all store brand food eatings are the end dish."