Top 10 CPG Food, Beverage Brands

SAN ANTONIOInformation Resources, Inc. (IRI) released its New Product Pacesetters, an annual benchmark analysis of the top first-year consumer packaged goods (CPG) food and beverage brands and non-food brands of 2009 during its  Summit 2010: Reinventing CPG & Retail Conference.

Many shoppers retained the frugal habits they learned at the depths of the downturn, while others started returning to their more free-spending ways. The powerful trend of cooking and entertaining at home continues and has been heavily influenced by an enhanced eagerness for fresh and healthy food choices at affordable price points. The top 10 food and beverage brands of 2009 are reflective of consumers looking for fun, interesting products for at-home and from-home dining with a greater focus on wellness and include:

1. Campbells Select Harvest

2. Bud Light Lime

3. Arnold Select Sandwich Thins

4. Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers

5. Dreyers/Edys Fun Flavors

6. Gatorade Tiger/Focus

7. MGD 64

8. Mountain Dew DEWmocracy

9. Bushs Grillin Beans

10. Kelloggs FiberPlus Bars

These brands represent true attention to detail when it comes to delivering what consumers want and need in a difficult economy, said IRI Business Insights Practice EVP Anne Berlack. Many consumers feel hesitant about trying new brands during tough economic times. As a result, weve seen tremendous growth from brand extensions, bringing to market a new product by leveraging a pre-existing, trusted brand. These brand extensions have historically not outsold newly-developed brands, but, this year, theyve succeeded by providing a fun twist on a traditional product and/or by delivering against consumer values of maintaining high-quality and health-wise meals and snacks that can be enjoyed at home or on the run. Among these products are low-calorie, low-sodium soup and high-fiber whole grain bread.