Article: Reaching for quality: sure, private label quality has improved. But these manufacturers warn that the battle is far from won. (Roundtable).(Interview)

Quality" is one of the private label industry's favorite buzzwords, but "talking the talk" and "walking the walk" can be two very different things. There is growing recognition that retailers can achieve true competitive differentiation with a private label program offering products at least as good as the national brands.

But with quarterly earnings goals to achieve, the private label retail executive can be on the hot seat and face difficult choices. Among the choices: cutting back on quality in certain items in hopes that nobody will notice.

We interviewed three manufacturers who would advise against such cutbacks, and they offered solid reasons why ...

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