What is a "Customer Label" brand?

A "customer label" or "store brand" is a brand that is owned and marketed by a retailer or wholesale distributor and sold exclusively in their stores. Customer label brands are sold in virtually all classes of trade (grocery, drug, department stores and mass merchandisers). The specific store group controls all aspects of the product, packaging, pricing and promotion in conjunction with the manufacturer. Customer label products are often available in different levels of quality and generally compare favorably with the quality found in national brands.
 
 

Are all Customer Label brands the same?

No. Retailers and wholesalers specify the customer label items they choose to carry and many require suppliers to custom manufacture to their exact specifications. Many retail chains regularly test customer label products neither their own laboratory or an outside lab to insure product quality and compliance with their specifications.
 
 

Are Customer Label products the same formulations and quality as national brands?

Yes & No. Even though many customer labels are made by the same companies that make national brands, formulas and quality can vary. In some instances product characteristics are exactly the same, while quite often they will vary based on the retailer's specifications. While lower priced "value" products may be slightly lower than national brands in terms of specifications, many premium customer label products meet or exceed the standards of the national brands.
 
 

What is the benefit of a Customer Label brand to the consumer?

Customer label offers consumers an alternative to national brands that, many times, is comparable in quality and at a more affordable price. This is especially attractive to today's value conscious consumer.
 
 

What is the benefit of a Customer Label brand to a retailer?

In addition to providing their customers with high quality products at affordable prices, customer labels play a large role in the development of the retailer's overall image. Customer label selection, product quality, packaging and merchandising are key elements in the marketing mix that help retailers differentiate themselves from their competition as they seek to attract and retain loyal customers. A strong customer label program can have a significant positive impact on the retailer's perception in the mind of the consumer, just as a poor one can undermine a store's success.
 
 

How is ice cream produced?

Producing over 1500 individual products requires a production process that involves the latest technology and skilled personnel.

This process incorporates several stages that produce an enjoyable, finished product and while the differences required to complete the final assembly might involve special ingredients, the basic process remains the same for all products.

INGREDIENTS:

DRY,  dairy powders, sweeteners, stabilizers, nuts, ice cream cones and sandwich wafers.

LIQUID,  milk, cream, sweeteners, chocolate coatings, sauces & toppings.

FROZEN,  fruits
 

A typical mix uses the following;

MIX
Milk
Cream
Sugar
Sweetener

Once blended the mix is passed via stainless steel pipe to the pasturization stage, heating the mix, to insure the result is safe and suitable for the enjoyment of everyone. Homogenizing produces a mix that has all ingredients thoroughly blended together.

This blended mix is passed again through stainless steel pipe to flavor vats where various flavors are added according to the recipe.  Then passed through stainless steel pipe to the freezer where the real magic takes place.  The mix flows into the  freezer barrel, is frozen and whipped instantly resulting in a product that has a creamy and smooth texture.

From the freezer in continuous flow through stainless steel pipe the flavored soft  frozen ice cream is passed to the designated packaging machine, for example (cup, cone, sandwich or 1/2 gallon).  Once packaged the product then rides a conveyor to the hardening system, a machine that uses very cold temperatures - 40 degrees and air movement to reduce the finished product temperature to zero degrees in a short time.

The trip is of course to your selected location of enjoyment, whether at home, at the ball game or at your favorite restaurant.

You can be assured, during the entire process, quality control personnel maintain the highest standards subject to state inspection that insure not only your enjoyment of AMERICA'S FAVORITE DESSERT but that all cleanliness standards are followed.